CUSTOM BIRTH STATS ARE A GREAT WAY TO SHOW OFF YOUR PRECIOUS NEW ADDITION. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PROCESS IS SIMPLE AND EASY TO FOLLOW.
There are two things needed for a custom birth stat: a photo of the baby and the information needed to letter around the baby.
Baby Photo:
The photo needs to be a 3:4 ratio. This is the best ratio to use to allow for minimal cropping for most photo sizes. This will allow you to print your custom birth announcement any size without problems! This ratio is what an iPhone automatically uses when taking a photo, but if your photo isn’t this ratio, we can crop it for you.
The photo needs plenty of negative space. The most important part of the photo is allowing enough empty space around the baby, as this is where the lettering will go! We also leave a margin around all edges to allow for cropping and framing. If your photo does not have much negative space, not to worry, we can help with that! See below for more information about expanding the photo background.
Natural light is usually best. We can make most any photo work, but for the best quality image, a photo taken with a lot of natural light will usually yield the best photo. Simply open up the blinds or curtains during the day and take your photo! Be sure to stay out of direct or intense light to avoid splotchy lighting or harsh highlights or shadows.
Take the photo from above. Whether laying in a crib, a bassinet, or a blanket on the floor, the best angle to take this photo is from above. Try to be directly overhead when taking the photo.
Keep the background basic. We want to make sure all of the information is easy to read. When choosing what to lay the baby on, the simpler the better. Try to stay away from bold patterns, wrinkly fabrics, or heavy textures.
Information on Photo:
Header. This is the introduction above the baby’s head. There are several phrases we have come up with that you can choose from or you can come up with your own. The phrases we’ve picked out are: “Hello World,” “Introducing,” “Say Hello To,” “I Have Arrived,” “Announcing,” “Presenting,” “Welcome to the World,” and “Welcome Home”
Name. First and Middle names work best. We can try to add a last name if that is important to you, but it can make that part feel a little busy and jumbled.
Birthdate. Month, Day, and Year.
Time of birth. Time of day and “AM” or “PM”
Weight. Birth weight in pounds and ounces.
Length. Baby’s length in inches.
Custom birth stats are offered at three different price points based on how much work we need to do to the photo in order to create the best final image possible. Below is a break down of each price point so that you can best decide which category your photo fits into.
If you are unsure what category your photo fits into, feel free to send us an email at hello@gatherandadorn.com and we’d be happy to help!
Photos Requiring Full Edits
Any photo that fits this category will require extensive editing, typically to the background. However other reasons could include touch ups to the face or body due to uneven lighting, extensive spot removal, or reconstruction due to the subject being cropped.
For this image, the background needs to be replaced with something simpler. The background also needs to be larger, allowing for more negative space. There needs to be adjustments to the exposure as well as a spot edit to the bright area on the face.
For this image, the background does not extend to the edges, so the pink fabric needs to be expanded. The image needs to be cropped so that the baby is centered. There are some harsh shadows that need to be adjusted.
For this image, the background needs to be replaced as well as made larger, allowing for more negative space. There needs to be adjustments to the exposure as well as the white balance. The tag on the blanket needs to be removed.
Photos Requiring Minor Edits
Any photo that fits this category will require very minor adjustments. The most common adjustment is a slight extension of the background to allow space for the lettering. Other adjustments could include exposure/white balance or removal of a small item such as a tag.
For this image, the background needs to be slightly extended to give extra negative space, especially above the head. There needs to be adjustments to the exposure as well.
Photos Requiring No Edits
Any photo that fits this category will have proper exposure and white balance as well as plenty of negative space surrounding the baby.
For this image, there is plenty of negative space around the baby and the exposure/white balance is properly executed.