You'll Love Printstagram!

There's just something about Instagram. It allows you to get an inside look in someone's life. I don't usually reach for the DSLR when it comes to simple "everyday" pictures--usually I whip my iPhone out of my pocket and snap a picture.  My Instagram feed is basically a peek into how Holden & I spend our time together.  (Sometimes I throw in snippets of text conversations with my husband or pictures of weird stuff I find in public.)

I have never printed any photos from my iPhone before. And after a year and a half of Instagram, I really wanted to see some of these pictures outside of just my phone--I wanted something tangible. A friend on Facebook recommended Printstagram.  It seemed perfect for me!

Here's the promo video from their site:
(turn your volume down a little!)

I can't wait to check out more of the products, but for now I just got the mini square prints.  There are two print size options--2.5x2.5 or 4x4.  I opted for the smaller version so I can stick them in my Project Life pages.  It's only $12.00 for 48 prints.  (The larger squares come in sets of 24.)  The website allows you to log into Instagram so you can directly pick & choose which images you want to print.

The images are printed on matte cardstock with a white border around the edge. I love how they look!  I was surprised at how thick they were. Holden grabbed a hold of a few of them, too, and you can't even tell they were in the hands of a 2-year-old. Now that's sturdy.  As far as image quality goes, they're kind of "eh", but I think that's just because they're just iPhone snapshots, all with crazy Instagram filters (hello, Lo-Fi!) added to them. I wasn't expecting pro lab quality. I love these little guys!

Now what am I going to do with them?  Like I mentioned, I'm mostly going to use them for my Project Life pages. Here's some other ideas for the small square prints:

• Scrapbooking
• "Business" card (you could write or stamp your Instagram handle on the back!)
• Make Magnets
• Hang on a string with clothespins
• Party favors at a birthday party or weddings
• Punch a hole in the corners & put them on a key ring
• Great gifts for your kids
• Kids' crafts (the possibilities are endless, just search Pinterest!) 
• Stick them in little photo holder frames, like this one from Pier 1. 

Honestly, the only issue I had with these was having to sign for them when they were delivered. I wasn't home when the FedEx guy came and I had to wait another day. (I know, I know, first world problems.)  I just thought that was a little strange--having to sign for a $12 package.

BOTTOM LINE:  Just go print your Instagram pictures at Printstagr.am! It's not a bad price, and they're so fun.

Mackenzie's "Country Girl" Session

I recently had the chance to photograph my niece Mackenzie, who is going to be a HS freshman next year. We had originally planned to do something with her formal dress from her 8th grade dance, but I am so happy she chose this lacy off-white dress & cowgirl boots instead.  We started at my neighbor's rustic old barn and shot in a few different fields around the countryside.  Last stop was my mom's house to check out her new kitten--who we just had to incorporate into the session, too!

Doesn't Kenzie look gorgeous?!