I found this super cute 4 Generation Portrait idea on Pinterest! I love it when an idea translates so well from "Idea" to "Finished Product"! It was surprisingly easy to put it together too. So this is what I did for Christmas gifts for my grandparents (Spoiler Alert! If you are one of my grandparents, stop reading now! You will see in just a couple days.) Ta da! Something fun, and different; not the traditional picture of just my daughter...again. Let me tell you how I did it! 1) I started out re-purposing a fun frame from a thrift store. I had this great turquoise acryllic craft paint that I painted the frame with. (Actually, I used wall paint on the other two, Sedona Red and Scottish Loch...Liked it even better than the craft paint. Any paint you have lying around will do nicely!) Take out the glass and the inserts, leaving just the backing. 2) Take all 4 pictures at the same spot, and pretty close to the same time to get the lighting the same. (If this is a surprise for Grandma, be sneaky... don't let her know you are taking the other pictures. Be strong! She will ask questions about why you are taking her picture with an empty frame.) Word of Advice: {Make sure that everyone holds the frame up close to their chin and shoulders. The child will get a very small surface area to work with by default. The closer you are to the shoulders the more space you will lend to the last picture. Also, as much as it is possible, keep fingers clear of the interior.} 3) Take your pictures (no particular order necessary). Take a couple of each person so you have the best selection when editing. As you can see the youngest doesn't hold the frame. 4) Time to crank up Photoshop. Open all four images, as well as a new document sized to match your frame. (i.e. 8 x 10, 300 pixels) 5) Start with the oldest generation. Size your image to 8x10, 300 pixels Drag the picture onto the new canvas, creating a new layer. Zoom in on the picture frame. Select the interior of the frame using the Polygonal Lasso Tool. Be mindful of fingers! When you are satisfied with your selection delete it. 6) Get an aproximate measurement of the picture frame on Grandma's layer. (i.e. 3x4). Resize the next generation to this measurement 3x4, 300 pixels. Then move the image to the project canvas on top of the frame. Chances are it will still be a little off on size. Use shortcut "Ctrl+T" to select the Transform command. This will allow you to resize the image as needed. Go at it from the corner of the selection and hold down Shift as you do. This will maintain proportions. You can also rotate it to get the right angle. I left a little bit of overlap to get in closer. When you get the right size/angle, move the Mom layer behind Grandma on the Layer station. 7) Zoom in on Mom's picture frame. Delete interior. Repeat step 6, etc. 8) Don't forget to save! 9) Once it is printed you of course frame it in the re-assembled frame:0) Thing I learned along the way.... ~Don't go any smaller than 8x10! ~You might as well plan on doing prints for the others involved. I was intending it for Grandma, but of course Mom wants one too... might as well paint that frame to match. ( I will worry about my copy after the hustle and bustle... priorities, you know) ~ I already mentioned holding the frame up by the chin/shoulders. ~ If you have 2 Grandparents, just stage it a little different. Take their picture horizontaly. They will still hold the frame vertically, and everyone else will be the same. Then frame horizontally. ( look how much more space because of the chin /shoulder thing! I am telling you, it makes a difference!) ~Check for a hangy-do on the back of your frame. One of mine didn't have one... oops. I would be glad to include this portrait with your family picture package! Or if photoshop is uncharted territory, I can create it using your pictures. Contact me for pricing. Next time: A DIY collage frame....... May Christ bring you hope and peace this Christmas! - Naomi
14 Comments
amy gordon
3/31/2014 10:48:57 am
can u give me a price on putting this together for me? With my own pics. Thanks! Amy
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zebbra johnson
2/17/2016 04:53:26 am
Could you put together if i send you picture, how much do you charge
jacinda lawrence
4/29/2014 04:47:31 pm
im doing one for mother day and i dont have photo shop what do i do
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Naomi
5/9/2014 06:38:02 am
Jacinda,
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Naomi
5/9/2014 06:39:55 am
Naomi,
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Kelly
1/25/2016 03:10:47 pm
I have pics but cannot do it as you have. Would you please help me? Of course ill pay a fee.
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rebecca
1/25/2016 05:07:44 pm
Hi if i send the pics to you, would you be able to create this for me? Do you email final portrait? Is any quality lost doing it this way? Lastly what size frame do you recommend for the pictures? Thank you for your help. Rebecca
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Mimi Routhier
3/3/2016 04:09:45 pm
Naomi is amazing and has a big Heart. Thank you so much for helping do the 4 generations picture. She's an Angel.
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Cheryl Severin
4/30/2016 12:53:51 pm
There is 5 generations in our family now. We were wondering if both great great grandparents (husband & wife) are still living which one would be in the picture or can both be.
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Naomi
5/1/2016 07:28:29 am
What an amazing opportunity! Yes! By all means include both Grandparents! You will have to shoot their picture horizontally, holding the frame vertically. Then shoot all other pictures vertically. Be sure to start with a extra large frame, even if it isnt' the frame you intend on using for the wall. All my best!
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Pat Bianco
4/11/2018 09:45:47 am
HI there is everyone holding a 8X10frame?? and what is the actual finished size frame??
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