Celebrating 10 Years of Making Holiday Cards
My niece Hana and her husband Kelly raise backyard chickens, and for the past ten years they’ve hired me to photograph their annual Holiday card—always a mix of portraits of themselves and, of course, their beloved flock.
Hana is a Boise realtor so mailing out a humorous card every year is a great way to connect with past and current clients.
Every year they try to outdo the last, and this season’s card is no exception. We went all-in on a “chicken-themed criminal mugshot,” complete with absurd charges to match: Egg-Smuggling Ringleader, Public Use of Fowl Language, and Pecking Under the Influence (PUI). They topped it off with their signature sign-off: “Stay Off the Naughty List! — The Stroughs.”
Past cards have included everything from a “Kiss the Chef” vibe to a hen laying an egg during a stroll through the kiddie park—even a full Brady Bunch–style layout. Each year is a new adventure, and this one might be their funniest yet.
Thelma Burkett at home, Circa 1978
I knocked on Thelma’s door in 1978 for the first time, wanting to photograph her colorful front yard. Being from the South, she answered, "Why sure, Sugar! And when you're done, come on in, because I have so many beautiful things inside". I took a couple of photos outside, then entered her home and discovered a pink, purple and blue wonderland. Everything in the house was pink, purple or blue, including Thelma herself.
Over the next three years, I photographed her several more times. For each occasion she would wear formal attire and tell me stories about her life. She was 80 years old at the time, and had been born very poor in Alabama. Thelma still had her southern accent and would say things like, “I LUUVV Ray Price! I think he’s the most handsome man on earth.” She was a very positive person and loved the attention I showered on her.
Thelma was a big BSU football fan. Once while I was working at the Idaho Statesman she asked me to rush over to her house because the “Four Horsemen” were coming to visit. Stuffing four burly BSU football players into her purple loveseat, she proceeded to pose on top of them, asking if I could arrange to run the shot on the paper’s front page. She was a showgirl at heart!
When I’d sit with her, she would tell me about the beautiful things in her house. “Do you know how much that chandelier cost me?” she’d ask. “Five hundred dollars?” I’d guess.
“FIVE DOLLARS! That’s it. FIVE DOLLARS! I got the base from a yard sale and then painted it. Then I found 4 crystals at Deseret Industries and 9 crystals at 3 yard sales, so I never paid more than a few cents anywhere. Deloris asked if she could buy it from me but I told her I wouldn’t take even $500 for it.”
She was a good friend. Whenever I went to visit, I knew I’d never have to come up with anything clever to say because she had her way of filling the silence with intriguing stories and wild tales. We developed a deep friendship that I’ll cherish in my heart always.
Testimonial
It’s always great when clients send me stories about the results they’ve achieved with the imagery I created for them. By the way, Eric K is a fantastic copywriter who can be found on upwork.com.
Lisa Dean-Erlander photographed for Thrivent Magazine
Winter Lifestyle Photography at Bogus Basin Ski Resort
May the light of the season bring you comfort and joy in 2019!
