Multifaceted Blogger/ Akash's 1st Birthday Invitation

I claimed that I was going to be blogging mainly about learning how to cook.  Unfortunately it hasn't been a huge focus for me.  My nanny cooks the majority of our meals during the work week since I work full time and get us into our routine faster to already have that done so basically the cooking happens on the weekend.  The last few weekends have been a bit busy so since I don't think my learning how to cook blog is going to make me lots of money, I might as well feel free to blog about anything I want.  Hopefully any of you only interested in food, don't get too angry with me!  I'd like to believe I have many skills and talents so hopefully you will find some of the stuff I am actually good at interesting.

I have been focusing my attention on 2 different things this last week.  #1 - Planning spring break with friends.  I am really looking forward to it.  The planning process has been crazy as to be expected when everyone has different wants/needs but it looks like we are finally figuring things out.  Seriously excited.  #2 - Creating a first birthday invitation for Akash's 1st birthday!  While I did try the out of the box ones available on tiny print, it just wouldn't do.

I am very much conscious of treating all 3 of my kids fairly and equally.  For Avani I had a professional photoshop artist transpose her picture into forest and make her a fairy .  For Aria she was infront of a castle as a princess also done by a professional. I can't find Avani's digitally but here is Aria's.

Well I couldn't let Akash down but this time I wanted to give it a try myself.  He has been whisked away to a far away land in a jungle.  So here is how I did it.

Step 1 - Put him into a cute outfit and have him pose infront of a blank background.  Since we are going to be have the typical indian (large formal) birthday party for him, I put him in the suit that his Arjun Mama bought for him for Christmas and took about 500 pictures!  Here are some of my favorites.

Although I really love the smile he has on the 2nd one, there was something very dapper about him in the first one and he is just so cute so that is the one I selected.

 

 

Step 2 - Find a background that fits the scene that you are trying to create.  I first started off with one that I thought would work.

 

 

After adding all the elements, it was too difficult to see any text on this one so I found another, and this one had an extra bonus it!

 

 

Step 3 - Become a photoshop mastermind!!!!  Honestly I had to watch a few blogs to figure it out.  The biggest tip I can offer is that instead of finding images that you have to select the background on and then delete which can be very difficult and will look like you photoshopped it, just search for images with transparent backgrounds.  It will save you so much time!  So after you remove the background from your original image (Akash) put it on top of the background and add the transparent images, you can then add your text and you are good to go!

 

Step 4 - I am pretty happy with how it turned out so send to print!