Photography

In starting my blog and website, I went looking for all those wonderful pictures that were taken of the parties I had thrown. Much to my chagrin there weren't many. Most of the details were over looked, the guests were just a blob of backs of heads, the beautiful candy buffet I did, wasn't even present and the lighting don't even get me started. OHHH dear, what to do. Well I'll tell you. Do your photography research. I know I am going to need great pictures from now on. Not only to have fabulous memories for my children, but also for the business. This madness cannot continue.

So, here's the plan. I am reading and learning a lot about how to take pictures at parties, which I see from photographers sites, is not an easy task (thank goodness, I thought it was just me). I plan to practice in advance and make sure I know what pictures to take instead of running around like a mad woman just clicking when I can.

Here is what I have learned so far;

• Get down to the child's level and take pictures from there. It is ok to take a few from the usual adult hight, but the most effective pictures (those that will capture the true feeling of the day) will be take low to ground where the action is.


• Nominate someone to do it for you. If you know someone who is going to be at the party that has experience in photography or just alway seems to have the best pictures, let them do the picture taking. I am a big fan of getting parents who attend parties to be active and participate. "Camera chief" can be a great role for someone who wants to do something. This way you will be hands free to attend to all the details you have planned. Deligate, deligate.


• Hire a photographer. If you can afford it and are willing to go to the expense then hire a professional. I am sure that you won't regret it. There is also the less expensive option of having a photography student or amateur photographer to do the pictures. I have found some of my favourite photographers on sites like "USEDEVERYWHERE" and "KIJIJI" Hey, sometimes they are free!! Nothing beats free.


• Lastly, for tonight anyways, get the detail. The tule skirts, the design on the cake, the fabulous paper straws. It could be anything. I had a friend who took a picture of the candy necklaces I had wrapped around the napkins and cutlery. I thought she was silly at the time, but now I am so happy to have memory of the details that I created. I only wish I had a picture of that cute candy bar....next time.

BACK TO YOUR ROOTS

It is said that a"home based" party can be the most memorable in a child's life. If you think back to your birthday parties, I am sure that the ones that come to mind right away are those that you had in your loving room, backyard or basement. Mom's homemade cake, playing pin the tail on the donkey (which has come a loooong way now) or hot potato. Believe it or not these simple and basic activities are the best and probably the reason that you remember them so fondly. Your mother probably made your favourite food, had things decorated the way you liked with your favourite colours, and yippee, BALLOONS. It was out of the ordinary and full of your favourites or "FLAVOURITES" in the case of food. What could be better. Time moves forward and now the tendency is to blow the roof off of these parties. To "out do" the Joneses and make it bigger and better than last year. Some people spend upwards of $20 000 on this one day or a couple of hour events. Who is this party for? The parents or the child. It is important to keep this in mind when planning. We can want to bring in the whole petting farm, but is it really necessary. What if we just put some stuffed animals behind a small garden boarder fence. Would your 3 year old mind?? No probably not, but it would add to that farm theme without taking it overboard.

It time to get back to basics. It can be hard to hold back. I know for a fact that it's a challenge. I do have a tendency to go over board, but when it comes down to it the visit from the professional actor/pirate was not really necessary when my husband's free version was even more entertaining. Don't hesitate to go back to those good old games either. Chances are that your kids have probably never even heard of "HOT POTATO" and I have yet to meet a child who didn't cheer when we announced it was time to play musical chairs!!




Go back to your roots, think simple and see how it turns out. If your child was not happy with the results, there is always next year.

Website

After many hours of work and a few choice words, my baby is born ....well the website it up and running.  Yippee for me.  I am so excited.  It's not perfect not is it exactly what I wanted but I think it make the point clear.  What do you think?
My goal was to be clear, give examples and make it easy to get what you want, with a dash of inspiration.  I hope it makes the mark.

http://www.poppylopparties.com/

Super Excited

My business cards have arrived.  I'm so excited.  This kinda makes it all official.  Yippee... Now to get some customers!!! hmmmmm

POPPYLOP PARTIES: A sea of fairy fun

POPPYLOP PARTIES: A sea of fairy fun: "I am still plugging away at the fairy garden party. Here is a sneak peak at the invitations and the skirts I've made. I like the..."

A sea of fairy fun

I am still plugging away at the fairy garden party.  Here is a sneak peak at the invitations and the skirts I've made.  I like the way it is all coming together.  So much fun.  I hope the party girl is equally surprised.

I just love the colours and softness of this party.

The invitation also doubles as the thank you loot bags. The design is from My Grafico .  So much fun. They will be ironed on to the fabric loot bags.  So cute.

Only two weeks to go.

More fun to come.

Busy day today

Well, the past two days have been ordering, planning and creating. Things are coming together nicely.  Now, however, it's time for bed.  Back at it tomorrow.
Don't forget to let your friends know about us.  We would love to help them put things together.  Like us here and on FB