Valentines Day: Hollywood Style

I have to confess that we are not much into Valentines Day around here.  We keep it very low key and usually gift each other a meaningful card over a meal that doesn't include toddler talk or spit up (possibly not even that this year).  So, I have left the Valentine's Day gift guides and creative ideas to friends like Jill, the Bon Bon's and Anna.

I did however just create the most adorable card (that I can't share as hubby reads the blog) via Cardstore.com.  I personalized it with my favorite photos of the boys and also one of just the two of us that I just had retouched from Preston's Christening.  Which brings me to my feature for this post....Hollywood Photo Finish. 

When the site first reached out I was thinking, when would I really use this service?  I gave it some thought and I realized I would use a service like this....on occasion.  Truth be told, I am no wiz with the computer.  The fact that I have a functioning blog is pretty damn incredible and shocking to those who know me well.  I am not savvy in photoshop......hell, I can't even post photos side by side (still trying to figure out that code).  So, for me, retouching photos is definitely something I would pay for.  Granted, not all the time, but certainly for special photos, framers around the house and promotional photos like head shots. 

For example, I have this shot of my sisters and I from Christmas...but of course it was taken in the midst of the chaos of hosting 30 people..and maybe after a glass of champagne...or two, wink wink.

ORIGINAL:

 HOLLYWOOD FINISH:  

 * My sisters may look a little "too" perfect (jealous over here) but if you read here, they "will not stop working until you are in love with what you see".  So rest assured, if something isn't to your liking, it can be re-edited.

I am beyond pleased with the improvements to the shot below.  So much so that I updated my Bio Page .  I love that the shot looks like me, but the very best version of me.

ORIGINAL:

HOLLYWOOD FINISH:

For our family, special moments and events will always be captured by a professional photographer and therefore look great.  For those impromptu moments that we ourselves snap....everyone looks great but.....someone has lipstick on their teeth...or you look unusually pale due to lighting....maybe you have a random blemish that isn't typically there...and the list goes on.  These photos never make it to the frame because there is a small aspect we don't like.  Well now you have somewhere to send those photos to make them perfect:) 

* Hollywood Photo Finish edited a few photos that I supplied them with.  I never promised to feature them, was not paid for this post and all opinions are my own.