This year, show your love without breaking the bank. Kwikpix.ca has lots of great ideas for thoughtful, romantic Valentine's gifts that are wonderful AND affordable.

1. Go big with a photo enlargement with 25% off any 8x10 or larger prints. Surprise your sweetie with a framed enlargement of the two of you together, or create a photo collage that chronicles your relationship – our easy-to-use collage tool lets you include up to 20 photos with your choice of background, theme, layout and photo frames.



2. Make a personalized photo card. Create a unique Valentine's Day card featuring a shot of you and your Valentine – our greeting card tool has some fun scrapbooking features, so you can create a beautiful, personal note that says "I love you" in seconds.



3. Create a "12 months of us" calendar. Celebrate every day together with a thoughtful gift that features photos of the two of you throughout the year. Don't have enough great shots to make a calendar for this year? Include pics of things you know your sweetheart loves. Or start planning now for Valentine's Day 2011 – take pictures of yourselves together skiing in January, on your island vacation in March, strawberry picking in June, canoeing in July, carving a Jack-o-lantern in October, opening presents in December, etc.



4. Make a book of memories. Make a photobook with the best pictures of you together. Ask family and friends to send you shots they've taken – they may have some great images you've never seen before! Or create a book from a special vacation or an important event (like your wedding or anniversary). Do you have trouble getting shots of the two of you together? Pick up an inexpensive tabletop tripod (or even use a small beanbag!), set the timer, and shoot to your heart's content!

With KwikPix.ca, it's easy to show your love – and your creativity. Ready to get started?

You've got a whole bunch of photos on your computer, all waiting to be printed. Chances are, you've been meaning to get them to the photo store for a while. But the more images you add to your hard drive, the harder it seems to be to get them ALL printed. That's where KwikPix.ca comes in.

1. It's remarkably affordable. Our introductory offer of 10¢ a print is the lowest price for online printing in Canada. You won't find a better rate anywhere.
2. It's easy. The software is simple to use – even people who aren't computer savvy find it straightforward.
3. It's fast. Upload your pictures, tell us what size, what finish and how many you want, and you're done.
4. No driving required. You upload them from your computer, and they arrive in the mail a few days later. No trips to the mall or waiting in line, ever.
5. You can print as many as you want. Got 50 pictures? Great. 500? No problem. 5000? We can do that too. Our introductory offer of 10¢ a print for your first order applies to as many prints as you send. No limits. There's never been a better time to print ALL your pics.
6. Edit online. Forget about using complicated photo editing software or standing in line at an in-store editing kiosk. Our editing tools let you crop, fix red-eye and more.
7. Great quality. Our printers are experienced and dependable, and produce top-quality photos.
8. You aren't limited to prints. Sure, you can use Kwikpix.ca to print all your 4x6 or 5x7 photos. But that's only the beginning. You can make photo books, collages, cards, calendars and more – and it's all just as easy as uploading photos to print.

Summer is over, and school has begun. What are you going to do with all those pictures you took over the warm months? Don't strand your memories on your hard drive. Take your shots of that great week at the lake, your kid's big soccer goal, the family barbecue or the trip to the zoo, and make a fun photo montage to celebrate and remember those great experiences.

Making a photo collage with Kwikpix.ca is a snap.

1. Select size, format and theme.
2. Upload your images.
3. Drag and drop your pictures into the template.
4. If you want, personalize your collage by adding and cropping images, moving them around, and inserting text. You can also add clipart.

See the demo.

Use great pics of the kids or your favourite flower or landscape photos to create a memorable calendar that makes a great memento for your own desk or kitchen wall, or a wonderful, affordable gift for friends and family. Here are a few ideas to help you get creative:

1. Relive your vacation all year round – make a calendar out of your best travel photos, and you'll smile every time you glance at it.
2. Got a great eye? Share your talent with an arty black and white photo calendar. Take your best photos, use a photo editing tool to make them black and white, and create a gift of your own artwork, personalized for friends, family, colleagues and more.
3. Create something that will make you laugh every month. Photograph family and friends making their funniest faces, and compile them into a calendar. Or go crazy with a photo editing tool. www.picnik.com lets you stretch people's features, add makeup, and even “zombify” faces by making them green and pasty.
4. Make a friend calendar for your kids. Feature their best buddies and memorable events every month, and don't forget to highlight birthdays and special events with photos and clipart. Your children will love using the calendar to keep track of homework, practices and more.

We make regular size photo calendar too and even a smart desktop calendar>/b>

Thoughtful gifts don't have to cost a fortune. With KwikPix.ca, you can make a personalized calendar for everyone on your list without breaking the bank. And you don't have to spend a lot of time working on it . With our software, you can make a gift they'll love – in less than five minutes.

How many pictures you include is up to you. If you want one for each month, you'll need 13. But you don't have to stop there. Each month has a customizable layout that lets you put in additional pictures. Each day can have a photo, too. So you can add a birthday cake for a child's birthday, a wedding shot for an anniversary, an image of last year's catch for an upcoming fishing trip. The only limit is your imagination.

See the demo.
You can make a calendar in minutes. Here's how:

1. Choose your calendar type (wall or desk).
2. Select a theme.
3. Upload your images, drag and drop them into individual page templates – and you're done!
4. Want to do more? Click on the “Customize” button to use scrapbooking features. Add images, change the background, change borders, add text and clipart – make each page yours.
5. To add images into date boxes, click on the Day/Month icon and drag and drop. You can add text, too.

You've got till midnight on November 16th, 2009 to get in your order at Kwikpix's super-low introductory price of 5¢ per 4x6 print.

If you've got hundreds (or thousands) of photos just sitting on your hard drive, there's really no better time to get them printed online. And remember, printing your digital pictures is the only way to preserve them. Digital formats are always evolving – who knows if you'll be able to access your old digital files 10 years from now. So empty your hard drive, fill up all those albums and scrapbooks, and preserve your memories.

At 5¢ a print, you can get 100 prints for only $5, 250 for $12.50, and 1000 for an incredible $50. We looked around online to see what people thought of the price and the quality, and here's what we found:

Sarah on smartcanuck.com said: "I just ordered 377 pictures, and with tax and shipping it cost me $31.46...an awesome deal I must say!!!!!!!!!!!!”

(And yes, she used just that many exclamation points…)

BoogieJet on smartcanuck.com said: "I have received 400 pictures from them in just 2 days! And the quality was totally awesome!”

And from DealDiva on slickdeals.net: "There is a delivery fee, but still the price is amazing and virtually unbeatable. I made an order and received it in 4 days only! Quality is top notch.”

Why not try Kwikpix's online photo printing services yourself? Remember, after November 16th, the price goes up to 10¢ a print. And though that's a bit higher than our intro offer, it's still the best price around.

A photo collage is a fun way to tell a story, commemorate an event, or celebrate friendships. Need some inspiration to get those creative juices flowing? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Create a trip poster. Whether it's Muskoka, Mexico or Mount Everest, show off your travels in a collage. To get an informal look that mimics a table strewn with mementos, try the “collage” style background and use the “customize” tool to select a variety of borders. (There's a border in there's that's the shape of a Polaroid photo – it can look great as a part of a photo story.)
2. Make a tribute. Whether you're celebrating a retirement, a graduation, an anniversary, or remembering a life well-lived, a photo collage makes a touching gift or display. Compile your favourite images of the guest(s) of honour; for a more formal event, choose a simple black or white background and a classic or contemporary layout. Insert your photos, and use the text feature to add a heartfelt message of love or congratulations. Print a whole bunch of collages for people to take home – it's an affordable gift, and your guests will love the memento.
3. Mark a milestone. Whether it's a first birthday, a winning game or a graduation, take lots of pictures, compile them into a collage, and hang them up in your child's room.

Collages are also great for:

1. Team photos
2. Class pictures over the years
3. Mementos of a special day, like Halloween or a birthday party`
4. Photos of your children with their friends
5. Remembering a trip to the zoo, the amusement park, the museum, etc.
6. Chronicling a pregnancy
7. A photo family tree

I have a friend who moved out west 10 years ago. We don't see each other often, but every year, he sends me a card featuring photos of him and his family. When his kids were little, he sent baby pictures and family photos. These days, he sends out a collage that shows the kids in all their activities – playing soccer, at their ballet recitals, camping with friends, etc. I love getting his cards – it's a great opportunity to see his family grow up.

Want to know how you can send cards featuring your family? Make a customized photocard on KwikPix.ca. Take a look at the sample card – we've taken a family photo, inserted it into a seasonal card template, then customized it with clipart and other scrapbooking elements. You can do something similar, or create a look that's all your own. It only takes a couple of minutes.

Want to see how we made it? Check out the demo.

Make your own card:

1. Select the card type (photo or folded).
2. Choose a theme.
3. Upload your image, then drag and drop it into the template.
4. Insert your text, preview – and you're done!
5. Want to get a little more creative? Click “Customize” and you can change the layout and add captions, clipart and borders.

What better way to send your best wishes this season than with a photo kwikcard? Whether it's a shot of the kids playing in the snow, a vacation photo of the family, or just a picture you're proud of, sending a card with a photo you've taken is a wonderful way to send a personal hello to people you care about.

Here's an example – we've used a winter scene to highlight the season and create a warm, seasonal, completely unique card. Want to see how we made it? Check out the demo.

You can make a photo card in minutes:

1. Select the card type (photo or folded).
2. Choose a theme.
3. Upload your image, then drag and drop it into the template.
4. Insert your text, preview – and you're done!
5. Want to get a little more creative? Click “Customize” and you can change the layout and add captions, clipart and borders.

Use KwikPix.ca's super-easy software to create custom cards for any occasion. Choose from lots of backgrounds and layouts, or make something that's totally your creation. The scrapbooking tool lets you move elements of the card design around, add new elements, reposition photos, add text, change colours and more.

Need a few ideas? Photo greeting cards are great for:

• Birthday party invites. Take a shot of your kid dressed up as a pirate (or a princess) and send out personalized cards inviting their friends to a pirate festival or a princess extravaganza.
• Wedding thank you cards. Use a shot of the two of you on your big day – that you you can send your guests a memento of your wedding as well as a note of thanks. You can personalize it ever further by including a picture of you with your guest at the reception.
• Family photo cards. Everyone loves getting holiday cards with updated photos of your clan. KwikPix.ca has lots of Christmas and winter themes to choose from, so create away!
• Birth announcements. Send out news of your new arrival with a customized card – there are lots of baby designs to choose from, or feel free to create your own.

More ideas:

• Get well soon card with a funny photo.
• “Just because” cards featuring pictures you're particularly proud of.
• Wedding invitations with a black and white photo of the two of you laughing together.
• A 50th anniversary party invite with an old wedding photo paired with a current picture.

From pretty princesses and scurvy pirates to creepy creatures and eerie decorations, there's no shortage of great photo ops on Halloween. Here are some tips to help you get some seriously scary pictures.

Tell the whole story. Don't just photograph your kid in their costume. That's just part of the story. Take a series of photos of your child getting ready – get in there when they're doing their makeup, putting on their costume, and heading out the door with their friends. Then, once they're back from trick-or-treating, take some shots of their candy all spread out on the table, of smeared makeup or damaged costumes. The memories are all in the details.

Photograph the details. Don't forget to take pictures of the decorations, carving the pumpkin, your kids' friends, before and after shots of parties, close-ups of food, etc.

Be dramatic. Get in nice and close and fill the frame with your subjects – it's a great way to punch up your shots. Play with perspective, too. Want your little monster to look extra creepy? Shoot her from below to make her look bigger and scarier. Or have your little vampire shine a flashlight onto his face from below for a little “ghoul lighting” (don't use your flash on this one).

Give them something to do. Why just tell them to stand there and say cheese? Let them have some fun by making their scariest faces, acting “in character” or lying down on the ground and pretending to be dead.

Tips on shooting in low light.

On Halloween, the real action happens after dark. Darkness can make picture-taking a little more challenging, especially if you don't want to use your flash (which can certainly take the mystery out of an image). If you want to take great shots, all you have to do is be prepared, and think about light sources in advance.

• Avoid stark flash illumination. Turn off your flash and opt for one of these alternatives instead:
  1. Increase your ISO (go with 400 or more). The larger your number, the more sensitive your image sensor is to light, which makes it easier to shoot in darkened conditions.
  2. Use a tripod and decrease your shutter speed. The tripod will stabilize your camera so you can avoid blurring when you open up your shutter for longer periods.
  3. Use a bigger aperture. This widens the hole in your lens and lets in more available light.
• Diffuse your flash. If you have to use your flash, soften it a bit with coloured cellophane. Red will cast an eerie glow that looks great on Halloween.

You probably have hundreds of photos sitting on your hard drive. Why not use them to create a wonderful memento or an unforgettable gift for someone you love? Chronicle a great trip, make a book of baby's first year, or create a family album/scrapbook that you can personalize with text, backgrounds, scrapbooking tools and more.

Even if you don't have a lot of time, with KwikPix.ca, making a book is remarkably fast and easy. Just pick your theme, select your images, and we'll do the rest. In just minutes, you can make a great-looking book that leaves old-fashioned, photos-falling-out albums in the dust.

Here's how easy it is:

1. Choose your photos and put them in the order you want them to appear.
2. Pick a theme and our software will auto-create your book.
3. Preview your layout.
4. If you want, you can change pics, page layouts, and add text and captions.

See our photobook demo video.

If you're interested in making something more customized, we're set up for that too. Customizable templates, professional backgrounds and scrapbooking tools give you complete creative control.

Kwikpix.ca photobooks are a great way to preserve your memories – and you can make one in less time than it takes to fill a photo album with prints!

Are you new to digital photography? Here's a quick overview to help you use your digital camera and get the best shots possible.

A couple of things to remember…
Point and shoot digital cameras are easy to use. With most of them, you press the button and the camera software does the rest. Couldn't be simpler. However, there are a couple of things to remember to ensure you'll always be able to get the shots you want.

1. Read the manual. Your camera is probably capable of a lot of things that will help you take better pictures. A quick read will help you understand it, and use it to its full potential.
2. Check your batteries. Make sure you always have fresh batteries on hand. There's nothing more disappointing than missing a perfect shot because your camera just ran out of juice.
3. Empty your memory card. Not being able to take a picture because your card is full can certainly be frustrating. Clear your card regularly, and carry an extra with you, just in case.

With digital, more is always better.
Want to get great shots? Think like a photojournalist, and take LOTS of pictures so you can use them to tell a story. Shoot from different angles, and perspectives, and feel free to go crazy. After all, it is digital – you can always delete the stuff you don't want.

Here's a great example of taking a “photojournalist” approach. For a family bringing home a new baby, there are lots of possibilities for telling a story with pictures – and preserving some very precious memories. Of course, photograph the baby in its new home, with parents, grandparents, etc. But don't forget to shoot other parts of the experience as well – the nursery, the baby's toys, blankets, her tiny feet and hands, his hair, the cute little shoes lined up in a row, the first bath, first feeding, first nap. Use your imagination to make it interesting and fun.

Compose your shots.
Whether you're shooting with a digital or film camera, it's easy to get better pictures by following one simple strategy: the rule of thirds. Place your subject slightly away from the centre of the picture. Here's how: imagine your photo divided by a tic-tac-toe grid. Simply put your subject (person, tree, shoe, whatever…) on one of the grid's intersecting lines, and you'll instantly have a more interesting picture.

Get in close.
Zoom in (or physically get closer) to the person your photographing – focusing on faces adds intimacy and makes for memorable photos.

Manage your photos as you take them.
Don't wait a year to load your pics onto your computer. Do it regularly, and they'll be easier to manage, and there will be less chance of losing them. You can edit them later. And, of course, don't forget to do a backup. You can use a CD – or take advantage of the online backup services out there.

And now you're ready to use your camera. Happy shooting!

At home or at a lab?

When you're ready to print your digital pics, what's better – doing it at home on your own colour printer, or sending them out to a lab like kwikpix.ca? Well, that depends on a few things, including:

• the type of printer you have at home
• your budget
• your creative requirements
• your archival requirements (i.e. how long do you want to be able to keep the photo without the colours fading or degrading?)

If you have a general-purpose printer with non-archival dye based inks, you will probably want to outsource the work to a lab. That way you'll ensure better photo quality and longevity. However, if you have a higher-end photo printer that uses pigment-based inks, you can certainly exercise your creativity by printing at home. Today's home printers offer a variety of inks, paper surfaces and software tools for photographers.

In terms of budget, if you're just looking to print basic 4x6 photos, it may actually be more expensive to do it yourself. Many photo labs offer very low prices (kwikpix.ca starts at just 10¢ a print) for basic prints, which can work out cheaper than buying the paper and the inks (which can be remarkably expensive) yourself.

However, if you've got the right equipment, printing at home offers tremendous creative opportunities. Just as you experiment with various image manipulation and camera capture techniques, you can also play with paper and texture. Camera and art stores sell a wide range of papers, each offering a particular look and feel. And why stop with paper? Here's an interesting experiment; buy a small piece of fine silk from a fabric store, securely mount it to a light card stock, then produce your print on the silk.

If you've got a good printer, the sky is the limit … providing the medium is no thicker than your printer will accommodate.

You don't have to spend big bucks buying artwork for your home. Your photos are a perfect alternative that's personal, affordable and versatile. Here are a few ideas for decorating your space with photos:

Create a family photo wall. Print your favourite family shots, frame them, and arrange them all on one wall. For a cohesive look, keep frames in one colour family (all black, or all silver), but feel free to mix up textures, thicknesses and shapes for visual interest. This approach works really well on a large living room wall, in a hall or a stairway.

Make a travel wall. This is the same ideas as the family wall, but with vacation photos. Focus on images from a single trip, or assemble all your best travel shots in one place.

Go big with your favourite shots. Blow up the prints you really love to 8x10, 11x14, or even a dramatic 24x30. Pick up some inexpensive frames, and create a photo gallery on your walls. Or mount your poster-size prints on foamcore and lean them up against a free wall for an arty gallery feel.

Collage it. Use the easy kwikpix.ca collage tool to create a beautiful poster for your child's room – compile photos of friends, sports teams, school events, etc., to create personalized art they'll love.

Be abstract. Don't limit yourself to shots of smiling people. Create art by thinking like an artist. Take a closeup photo of a crumpled leaf. Shoot the blurred lights of moving cars in a night time streetscape. Focus on beautiful fabrics, stacks of scarves at a market, petals on a flower, scattered pencils. Be creative. You might be surprised at what you can come up with.

Play with photo software. Make your photo look like a watercolour or a pencil drawing with filters. Create a faux Polaroid. Pull in crazy colours to create an Andy Warhol style photo. Experiment. Have fun. Then print your experiments and hang them up in your home.

Pick unusual frames. Why stick with storebought frames? Add visual interest to your décor by using found objects instead. Old window frames can be beautiful – just put a pic on each pane of glass. Mirrors work well too; arrange photos onto the glass with photo tape, leaving some mirror showing through for a light-filled collage. Or string a clothesline along one wall, and affix photos with clothespins. The ideas are endless.

Make a family “tree.” Paint a tree on a wall in your home, and hang photos of the people in your family on the branches.

Really, you can't go wrong when you surround yourself with images you love. Looking at them every day will make you happy. And if you get tired of a picture, just switch it up with something else. It's easy – and remarkably affordable.

Whether it's their first day of kindergarten or they're heading off to university, document those special back to school moments with a few key tips from the pros.

Be creative. In addition to the usual shots of your kid all dressed for school, include pics of all the little things that tell the story, like their backpack, brand new shoes (line up your kids in a row and take a shot of their feet for a fun shot), or the door to their new classroom. And don't forget their friends – there's nothing like capturing those special moments when they reunite with the buddies they've missed over the summer.

Use available light. Turn off the flash if possible. Your images will look more natural, and your children will feel more relaxed.

Get close. Don't just rely on your camera features to get close-up shots. Move around and get right up to your subjects. Most of the time it'll be faster than playing with the lens.

Measure the years. Pick a special place like your front porch or the front door of your child's school, and photograph your child in the same spot every September to show how much they've grown from year to year.

Don't forget your teens. Yes, little kids are usually more cooperative when it comes to being photographed, but it's important to document your teenager's milestones, too. He'll appreciate those memories when he gets older (even if he doesn't appreciate the attention now). Try some minimally embarrassing shots with the family pet, or shoot some candid pics of your kid moving into her dorm room at school.

Go on location. Don't limit your pictures to the front porch. Photos taken at school, the bus stop or even on the bus will bring back all kinds of wonderful memories.

Print 'em. Don't just keep your shots on your computer. Print the best ones – putting them on photo paper is the only proven long-term archival process.

Easy at-home techniques for getting great cake photos

You spent all day creating that beautiful cake. The piping is perfect, the icing smooth, the lettering just right. Before your masterpiece gets devoured, preserve it. Take a photo of all your hard work, and you'll have it long after the actual cake has been eaten.

So how do you get a good photo of a birthday cake, especially when it has lit candles on it? All you have to do is adapt a few basic lighting techniques from the pros.

Step 1. Start with some simple reflectors. Professional photographers often use mirrors cut into different shapes. You can get similar results with aluminium foil, cardboard and masking tape. Find a piece of cardboard. Cut a piece of aluminium foil that's slightly larger than the cardboard you wish to cover. Crumple it into a ball, then carefully open it up into a sheet again. Place the crumpled foil over the cardboard so it lays flat, folding the extra foil over the edges and taping them down on the back.

Step 2: Turn off all the inside lights, and switch your camera flash to “off.” Light the candles.

Step 3: Adjust your camera position so there's a window to one side or directly behind the cake. Now use the reflector card you just made to “bounce” light back into the deep shadow areas, such as under the plate.

Step 4: Ensure the light balance on your camera is on auto or daylight. What you're looking for is the nice warm glow emitting from the candles.

Step 5: Take the shot! Once you've followed these simple steps, you should get some great images that show off your cake – and give you great memories to put in your album, photobook or scrapbook.