…i’ve been working on my family’s annual book. anyone who’s read my blog over the past couple years, probably already knows how much i adore and treasure my family books. they grace our credenza right as you walk in the door and i get chills each and every time i look through one of the books. last night, i found the kids looking through them — laughing and giggling as they turned the pages. i’ve been doing an annual book ever since i started photography [2006]. i always joke that if there’s a fire and my family is all safe, my books are next to be saved from the flames. but i’m serious.
i started working on the book a bit earlier than usual, so i’m not rushing to get it done the end of november. i give the books to grandparents for christmas every year and need to make sure i allow time for printing and shipping. this year my book is called life passes so fast, with an accompanying closing quote on the last page. sigh!
while i’m sure the book will be tweaked many times between now and the end of november, this is how it’s looking so far…
you can see a larger version HERE.
a bit about my book-making process:
i design the book from scratch [no template].
11×13 landscape format.
hard cover and premium matte paper.
use booksmart via blurb.
every year is different (e.g. here’s last year’s layout).
include favorite photos from the year.
quotes to go with some of the photos.
words | thoughts about each child.
every book is unique.
and so very special.
in closing…
i beg you to get your digital files off your computer and printed.
on your walls.
in a book.
somewhere.
anywhere.
i’ll be sharing another project i’ve been working on in a few days. just a couple more things to get done first.
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Oh how I love this Deb! So true…I need to take your advice. I would do anything to have books like this. xoxo
I did this for Trey when he turned 5 and intended on doing it this year when he turned 6 but still haven’t gotten around to it and in March he will turn 7. I find I spend very little time on the photos of him and us as a family. I have been wanting to include myself in more pictures as well…seems a lot of Trey and my husband-and sometimes he takes pictures of me with Trey, but I want to explore capturing us as a family more. This is such a beautiful collection of love and life in images. Thanks for the encouragement to get my family pictures in a book.
♥
Seeing your posts about these books the last couple years inspired me to make one last year for the first time. I am so glad I did, and will continue to. It’s amazing how few of the family images I take get printed, and I know we will cherish these forever. Thanks so much for sharing.
deb, i’m a huge fan of your work! you are inspirational – i love that you’ve so fully embraced your style, made your work your own. and i love that you do a book each year! i am a photographer also, and i need to take the time to get my own family’s pictures off the computer. thank you for the encouragement! and thank you for sharing your marvelous work!
Fun! I sent each of my nephews their own book of their trip to California to visit us. I was thrilled to learn that the boys loved them. (I figured it might be something they would appreciate when they got older.)
Deb, you have completely inspired me to print my family photos. Thank you so much for sharing and continually being an inspiration to those around you. You are have such a wonderful gift and such a lovely way in which you share your gifts. Have a wonderful rest of your week. ~Jenn
You’ve just given me a GREAT idea! I want to make a photo book with the photos I took in Africa last month, once I finish the month long task of editing them.
Do you have a favorite printing company you use for yours?
I found your blog through Katelyn’s blog. I greatly admire your work. I love this idea about making a yearly book. My photos aren’t so great, but they remind me of the wonderful times we share, and I am now inspired to put them together for others to enjoy. Thank you.
I love this and do something similar. I blog everyday and upload to blurb. Unfortunately I can’t let it ‘slurp’ the blog bc sometimes there are 20 pics with no words and other times 2 pictures and a page of stories and updates. I print 3 copies every 6 months-1 for each child and 1 for me. But I have 1 of the copies at my parents in case of fire!!! It is expensive but will be so worth it-already is!
PS-love your blog and your photography is so inspiring!
Love how you did the spines! I started doing this last year, and you’ve inspired me to make my book this year a lot bigger than I’d planned
Love your books! I also make a photobook a year and are going back at present to the previous years too.
gosh what a great idea. thankyou thankyou thankyou for sharing this. signing up for my blurb account right now. perfect christmas gifts for the grandparents and me too!
Ran across this via pinterest while looking for inspiration for MY annual photo book. I have only printed them for the grandparents, but after seeing your stack I think I’ll print one for me this year. While I’m here, I’ve been looking around…such beautiful and intriguing photos. Thanks for sharing, I’ll be back.