When adding pictures to your boutique custom made clothing items be extremly careful. I love to see lots of pictures when purchasing custom made clothes for my little girl, but sometimes others out there look for other reasons! Take precautions when adding pictures of your little ones by following a few simple steps.

I too have been guilty of sticking my little girl into clothing that I have put in auctions or in my store to better show off the outfit. I know it is sometimes nice to see how the outfit looks on someone before I purchase it, that way I can kind of see how it fits. I never really thought about anyone getting on there and looking at the pictures for other reasons. We all like to think that everyone out there is innocent, but on the other hand we know that there is some really bad people out there who may be looking at the pictures for other reasons. If we really stop and think about it, how hard would it be for an abductor to see the pictures and find out where that child lives. I have even seen some people put their child's name right on the pictures.

One day I received an email from someone asking to see an item I had in my store on a little girl so they could see what it looked like. At first I thought, mmm, who do I know that can fit into the outfit. Then I started thinking it was kind of a strange request. I was a little frightened about the whole thing. Especially since a few weeks before that, I had an item listed for sale and a person had gotten my name after searching my id. They knew the state I was from because it was in my auction, however I never listed the city I was from. Anyway, they did an internet search on my name and my state and found my exact address. They emailed me to see if they could pick the item up and proceeded to tell me how far they were from me. I was terrified. Even though this person was okay, it still scared me to death. As for the outfit that I mentioned above. I never sent the pictures. I emailed them and told them I was sorry, but I did not know anyone who would fit in the outfit. This could have possibly been a person that just wanted to see how the outfit looks on a child, but to me a $6.00 sale was not worth taking the chance.

Keep your child safe. If adding pictures of your child to your auctions follow these few simple steps...

• Have payments sent to a P.O. Box or another address other than your home.
• Use your work address for return address.
• Blur out the face on the pictures or crop to only show the outfit.
• Never put the child's name on the pictures or in the auction.
• Remember someone may be buying a $10.00 item just to get a return address.
• Be careful when answering questions from potential buyers.
• If possible use forms instead of children.
• If pictures are used, make sure identities are hidden.

Good pictures to add to Boutique Custom Made Clothing...

• Add plenty of up close pictures
• Add pictures showing the designs
• Add pictures showing stitching
• Add pictures showing finishing.
• Add pictures of both front and back of items.
• Add pictures of the whole outfit.
• Make sure the pictures are taken in good lighting.

I know we want to think that everyone out there is an honest person, but unfortunately they are not. Protect your children and make sure they are safe. Sometimes a purchase is worth losing if you are not real comfortable with what the potential buyer is asking.