After staging your set and posing your models you can take either a 35mm film photograph of the scene, or you can use a digital camera to photograph the scene. Your decision here will be based on how large of a final image you will be making, and what technology that is available to you. If you have a digital camera then you will want to make sure that the image produced will be clear enough to blow up to an 8X10 or size that you have decided on. For a good quality 8X10 enlargement you will need a digital camera that is at least a 3.0 to a 3.5 mega-pixel camera. Anything lower than this will produce a grainy 8X10 enlargement. If you will be using a 35mm film camera you can either ask for your photos to come on a CD when you get your film developed, or you can scan your prints into your computer using a flat bed scanner or a photo-scanner.
After your image has been uploaded to your computer, you can then use your imaging software to change it to a black and white photograph and then use the software's tinting tools to hand color your photograph. If you are not familiar with your photo imaging software you may need to run through the available tutorials and practice using the tools before you attempt to print out the final product on photo paper. What will be the most difficult skill to master is learning how to use the mouse as your paintbrush. This will take some time, as will learning what digital tinting tool you will need to use to create different effects.
Once you have mastered these skills you can tint your photo. I would recommend starting with light color first, such as skin and eyes, and then color the darker elements in your photo such as shadows and clothes. I make this recommendation because light colors can be covered by darker colors if you happen to paint outside the lines, but light colors can't cover dark colors.
Once you have your tinted photograph looking the way that you want, save it. Use a file name that will be easy to find. Most photo imaging software will either provide you with a default file name like "Untitiled1," or they will assign a default number to the file when you first click on the save button. You should change this default name to something that describes what the photograph contains. For example you could name a file tintedKyle1, if the photograph is of your son named Kyle and it is the first in a series of photographs.
After saving, print out a test photo on plain paper to test its size and positioning on the printout against your frame and mat set. If the photo image is not lined up with the opening in your mat than you will need to adjust the paper's margins under the print, page setup menus on your screen. Keep making adjustments until you photo is lined up with the opening in your mat. When everything looks good print out your hand tinted photo on good photography paper. You can choose glossy or matte photo paper depending on the effect that you want to create. Photo paper tends to run a little bit larger than 8X10 so you may need to shave down the sides a tiny bit to fit the paper into your frame. Once framed you will have an original piece of art to hang on your wall or to give as a very special gift.