Every year we have been giving my mother "Omi" and father "Opa" a framed picture of their grand children. Here are some easy steps:

1- Buy a frame with mat from Home Goods,  Kohls, IKEA, Marshalls, A.I. Friedman in Portchester or any place you can find some frames with mats.

2- Give the mat to the children and have them each take a side to decorate or let them mix it up. We use paint, stickers, stamps, pastel crayons and sparkles to embellish the mat. We have even painted the frames for a different look.

3 - When the mats are dry assemble the frame with the photographs. Presto - your  personalized Valentine's gift is ready.

This version was for their father.
"These are always my favorite gifts."

Finding the Light - After scanning the park I targeted the lamp posts decorated with strings of lights for the holidays. Using the reflector again I was able to bounce the light back up to the faces to capture some more moody or "artsy" shots.

So when is it too dark to take a portrait using outdoor available light? I would say when you get too tired or hungry.  ;) This adorable elf was our last shot of the evening - dinner time!