Our vacation snapshots used to pile up in dusty shoe boxes; now the digital files clutter our computers. Bring those memories to life in custom-printed photo books for yourself and each grandchild.
Forget about finding the perfect photo album, getting pictures developed, sorting through the snapshots, placing them in the album, and sending it to the grandchildren. Digital software streamlines the process. If you can "drag and drop," you can create a book that will bring raves.
Photo-book software ranges from simple to extravagant. Most software provides some level of customization; a few provide looks that rival the most-embellished scrapbook pages. The trick is to find the one that fits your style and level of expertise.
Here are some great tips from a variety of experts and regular photo-book makers for creating memorable vacation albums.
Prep your photos. Crop, red-eye correct, and fine-tune all the pictures you are considering using, and put them in a single folder ready to upload. Choose a variety of photos — funny ones, landscapes, close-ups — and don't forget to include some with you in them.
Build your story. Think about how you want the story of your book to play out. Will it be chronological? By topic? Funny pictures first, or last?
Consider adding words. Captions will help you recall specifics, like the name of the guide in the funny hat, but they're not necessary for every photo. Try writing a little about your trip in the front of the book or throughout. Make it fun without composing a novel. Your grandchildren will "hear" your voice and "see" their trip for years to come. What do you want them to remember?
Plan spreads, not pages. Remember that pages do not stand alone, but as part of a two-page spread when the book is open. Make sure facing pages are compatible in subject and design. Try balancing layouts by placing one large photo on one page, with several smaller photos on the opposite page.
Go for impact. While it is tempting to try to cram lots of pictures into your book, resist the urge and get more impact and a better story with fewer choices. Blogger Michele Horne explains that "small ones are hard to see and don’t come out nice when printed."
Gauge your page. Most people tend to look at the upper left of a page first, so put your best work there.
Think beyond the pictures. Design expert Kathy Peterson suggests using your scanner to digitally capture doodles, artwork, or even handwritten captions to intersperse throughout your book. Tickets, maps, or other small mementos can be scanned to form backgrounds or as another "photo."
Use templates ... The templates provided by photo-book sites are quick and easy. Organizing expert Leslie McKee says, "Don't get stuck on perfect. Use the auto tools they provide and just do it!"
... Or don't use templates. Using scrapbooking sites or working with photo software to build your own layouts provides more personalization and more fun for those who enjoy custom design. Ultimately, the choice comes down to time, expertise, and commitment.
Mind your margins. Leave an extra 1/8 to 1/4 inch around the edge of each page so that important parts of images or text aren't trimmed away in publishing.
Less is more. Don't be afraid of white space. Just because there is a place in a template for a photo does not mean you have to fill it. When text or an image is not inserted in a template, the space remains blank.
Mix and match. Professional album designer Cris Roskelley says it's fine to use both horizontal and vertical photos on the same page spread; in fact, it adds visual interest. But don't use black-and-white and color photos on the same page.
Don't go crazy with fonts. Be consistent. Roskelley recommends using an easy-to-read font, like Arial or Garamond, for your text items.
Check and double-check. Several sources reiterate the importance of proofreading your work before hitting the submit button. Make sure all captions are spelled correctly, and that the picture quality is good in the size you have chosen.
Print a trial version. Order one book to see how it turns out. Then fix any glitches and keep the original before ordering multiple copies for the grandchildren.
Be brave. These websites can be a little intimidating at first. If you take the time to evaluate a few sites, do tutorials if they are offered, proceed step-by-step, and take a deep breath, you’ll have fun and produce books like a pro in no time.
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