Thank you to everyone who had their picture taken for the Photo Directory! It was an excellent reason to get dressed up or bribe the kids with ice cream!
For those who didn’t get a chance to sit for glamour shots, you can still appear in the photo directory. Or, if only part of your household got a picture taken at church, you can submit a portrait(s) of anyone who wasn’t available. Deadline: Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Submitting Your Own Photo
You don’t need a professional photographer to get a good picture! Follow these guidelines to help St. Paul’s parishioners put your face with your name!
Ideal Background
A plain background of one color or color family. For instance, the brick facade of your house, a wooden fence, a plain wall in your house, or even against one of the stone walls at St. Paul’s! If outdoors, make sure the sun is in front of you. If indoors, make sure there are no windows behind you. Soft, natural light from the sun or a window can be great.
Alternative
A simple, intentional background, where you are the main subject. There are many wonderful vacation photos in front of beautiful monuments or natural wonders, but this picture is about getting to see you! If needed, you can have your photo taken in front of a bookshelf, nondescript building, simple landscape, etc. Try to stand a few feet in front of any backdrop. If possible, avoid having other people in the background.
Ideal Photographer
Ask a friend, family member, or neighbor to take the photograph. The camera on the back of a phone is a higher quality than the “selfie” camera. Wipe off the camera lens with a soft cloth before they take the picture–our finger prints are not special effects! Have them take several pictures using the tips that follow.
Alternative
Instead of holding the phone, set it on a solid surface, about eye height. For example: fireplace mantle, cabinet or bookshelf, top of a car, etc. Use the self timer feature to take the picture so you are in a natural pose. Take several exposures using the tips below and choose your favorite. If the photo must be a selfie, take it “sideways,” and hold the camera as far away as possible.
Ideal Orientation
Landscape or “sideways” (if you are using your phone). The picture should be wider than it is tall.
Alternative
If you need to submit a picture taken in portrait orientation (or “up and down”), use one where you are farther away from the camera. We need to crop pictures to the same size/ratio, so there needs to be a lot of extra space above and below the subject(s).
Ideal Pose
Both eyes are open, visible (no sunglasses), and everyone is looking at the camera. Choose what is comfortable–sitting or standing. If there are more than 2 people in the picture, arrange into rows so we can see everyone’s full face.
Alternative
Most people have their eyes open and facing the camera. If everyone is in one row, make sure there is extra space around the group. We need to crop pictures to the same size/ratio, so don’t cut off anyone’s shoulder!
Ideal Cropping
Ideally, don’t crop the photo before uploading! We will crop just above the midriff (your sneakers and sweatpants will be out of frame)!
Alternative
Make sure there is plenty of space around the subject so we can crop all photos to the same size/ratio.
Submitting info and uploading the photo
Now that you know what makes a good directory photo, go ask a neighbor to take your photo. Then, complete the information form and upload your photo. You can do everything from your phone (which is preferred- emailing a photo to your computer “smushes” it and makes it lower quality).
Questions? Concerns? Contact Laurel Steinetz, Communications Manager, for help.
If you had your picture taken at church/Judson, you will receive an email with your virtual photo gallery. It will include information about downloading the digital portrait or purchasing prints/other photo products. All photo products purchased through that gallery (fulfilled by MPix) help offset the cost of photography and producing the directory in-house. Information about the printed directory will follow!