LIGHTS !  CAMERA!  ACTION !

Okay - how do I get a good picture to put in these albums? 

1. Display your project on a solid color background.  A sheet, blanket, or something from your stash will work fine.  If necessary, use some pins to hold it in place on a couch or chair to display the item.  If displaying on a hanger, look for a surface to hang the item on that has a contrasting background that will define the item.  White on white shows up best in natural light - either in a window or outdoors.
2. Center your item on the background.  Again, you may need to pin it in place.  Check - does the background show through and spoil the color of the item?  If so, you may need to add some white material or paper just inside or under the item. 
3. What are the highlights you want to show?  Do you need to stuff sleeves with some tissue paper or pin them so they will show to best advantage.  Maybe some slight padding at the neckline inside will show it off to more advantage.  This works very well when displaying clothes on hangers!
4. Check for creases and wrinkles in the item.  They will show up more with the camera than with the eye.  If your picture shows them, go back and take some more pictures!  Easy as that!  Many times a little tissue paper here and there under something will eliminate these.  (Of course, there are times when you do need to go back to the ironing board!)
5. Move back until you can center the item in the view finder and get a picture of the entire item.
6. For close ups - use the telephoto lens button to bring the item to the camera instead of trying to get nearer the item itself.  This will give you a clearer image when the photo is enlarged. 
7. Take a number of pictures.  Good photographers take lots to get the one picture that wins the prize!  You're using a digital camera and you can delete all the bad ones!!!!
8. After you enter your pictures to your computer, make sure to reposition them so they are up and down!  In addition, many computers will let you crop your pictures to remove too much background.  Once the picture is cropped, do a "save as" under file to add the cropped picture to your album. 
9. Be aware that beautiful, delicate pastel items do not photo well with most digital cameras.  They need more steady direct light.  Try adding a directed light to the surface so the flash doesn't go off and you may get better results. 
10. Make sure the picture shows the pride you have in the item you are displaying!  You did all this great work, and you want others to enjoy it as much as you do!