For someone who takes far too many photographs, it might come as no surprise that I am absolutely useless at archiving them properly.
My son suffers with “second child syndrome” only in as far as his big sister’s baby album is complete, but his photos have been shoved to the back in the hope of a spare day or two to sort them out…
We have empty albums on the bookshelf, whilst our wedding pictures intended for them languish in a big metal trunk my husband inherited from his grandfather – this December we will have been married for ten years!… And I am actually surprised that I’m at least up to Denmark in as far as big family albums go.
So, when I went to Sarajevo back in May, and my friend forgot her camera and assigned me “official photographer”, I had every intention that she would go on to receive any and all photographs in my collection, I just didn’t know when. Luckily for her, some six months later Albelli got in touch to ask me whether I would like to review one of their photo books* and I will admit that the phrase “two birds, one stone” popped straight into my head.
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There’s something so nice about an actual book that’s full of your own work – especially when it’s been so easy to put together (and believe me I have several unfinished photo books in the depths of my computer’s memory that were either too convoluted, or time-consuming (or both) to finish)!
I was impressed with the quality and happy with the result (apart from where I had forgotten to take my watermark off the pictures here and there, but I have nobody to blame for that but myself, and my friend didn’t actually even notice anyway) – and as my family had a fine art printing business for many years, I have quite high standards when it comes to such things believe me!
Albelli had asked me whether I would have a special look at the pre-designed options for this photo book, but I didn’t feel like the Modern City Trip Theme I started off with lent itself to Saravejo particularly, and as I was now hellbent on this being the book’s subject, I had to make some changes half way through. It would however have work perfectly for Tokyo, and I am in the process of making up another book in that theme for that very purpose. One album down, 50,000 to go!
*Albelli provided me with one free photo book for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own entirely.
As someone else who also takes a LOT of photos, and seriously bad at printing them off (although, I’ve got the archiving process down pat now on my computer!) I need to take inspiration from this post and get organising of my photobooks.
I’ve actually started uploading my Project 365:2013 to start creating my book, and there is such satisfaction in seeing your photos in print instead of just on a screen :)
And that’s another thing to add to my list Michelle, my 365 projects. Thanks for the reminder! :)
This is a great idea…. so many of Little A’s baby photos are still either on camera, backed up on the computer or some hard file. Your photos look great…. and you’ve changed your blog font – I really like it! X
They do look lovely, making a few as Christmas Presents too! Thank you on both fronts! :D xx
I have done a couple of photo books in the past. I created one for mum after my dad died, using old photos of him, and it was a very special thing to do.
I also reviewed a photo book company a year or two ago and had a lot of fun doing an Iceland book.
I agree, it’s easier then people might think, to create one.
That is a lovely idea Trish, and yes, much easier than my previous attempts too! :D
I am totally hopeless about organising photos and my youngests baby book is also languishing on a shelf waiting for photos! I have done a few photo books – maybe I should try and do more – one per year perhaps! I’ll have to take a look at Albelli.
Thank you! Good luck, I would def. recommend them too!
I am so guilty of not sorting out photos properly too. These books look great!
Thank you :) x
i’ve been meaning to do this with my 365 project but time has just slipped by me. moving right to the top of my to do list x
If it makes you feel any better, I have been meaning to actually update my 365 project since September! :D x
Your book looks beautiful. I keep meaning to do this but I never get around to it. Our broadband connection is very slow and so I’m sure it would take ages. Maybe I’ll wait until superfast broadband reaches us.
It’s so easy, I think it might work with not so fast tinternet you know… Thanks for the comment Gretta, I do appreciate it… :)
I really do not have time to print and stick photos into albums anymore…
This sounds like a good solution, and your book looks fabulous. xx
Thank you. Glad you like it! :) xx
I am utterly hopeless with photos. Like you, Blue (no 1 child) has a beautiful album of his first year, while I’m still waiting to get beyond 5 months with Pink’s. Tonnes of photos just stored away on a pc – it’s criminal really. Mind you, my mu only recently sorted all hers out – years and years and years of photos.
Just make sure you keep backing them up! I have learned that lesson before now too! :D
I currently use blurb.com but will take a look at your suggestion. Cheers!
I like Blurb too, but Albelli are just so straight forward! :) Thanks Jan! xx
I kept an album for my eldest which had his first year in it.I was using film back then (11 years ago) so I was more inclined to get them processed.But his sisters photos are mostly online and the only few real copies are school photos and the ones my mum processes now and then.I really ought to do something about that as it’s nice to have something physical to look at.
Thanks Aly, it’s something I keep putting off, but I have to do it. The kids love looking at them too! :D
feel so guilty about how far behind I am with updating photo albums. Love having them, but they’re such a blinking chore. Would need to set days aside to sort through the mountain of pics (never going to happen..) Photo books are a great idea, especially for trips/holidays – I’ve seen some brilliant books and have thought about doing one, but typically that’s all I’ve done! x
I was impressed at how little time this actually took. When I think about the hours I have spent uploading pics to photo websites, this is much quicker! Thank you xx
I love photo books. As much as I love digital photography and how fast we can have our photos, I do miss having loads of photo albums to flick through xxx
They are so much easier for things like travel snaps aren’t they? But I always insist on traditional real pics for things like baby pics… Thank you xxx
Ooh, I love this idea. It would be perfect for me, as am definitely one of the ‘useless people’ of your title!
And now we can have a club! :D Thank you…
What a fab gift idea, of course it helps that your photos are totally gorgeous! Might not have the same effect with my little iPhone snaps ;-)
Thank you so much. You should give it a go, I think that iphone snaps are such good quality nowadays, it would still work! :)
This really is something I need to do – I am particularly bad at naming photos – I edit them and rename then daft things like b1, b2, b3 and b786 !
Hahaha… I am glad it’s not just me. Thanks Annie! :D
The colours in the book look great. I like an album, something physical to flick through rather than online. I keep promising myself that at the end of each month, I’ll work on/delete all the pictures taken in that month and then be ready to put them in a book come December. Yeah right.
You should have one massive Switzerland one, following your time there! That would be amazing! :)
My second son suffers from exactly the same syndrome! These look inspiring!
Thanks Anya. I am determined to do something about it, especially before he notices!! :D
Yes, after experimenting with about half a dozen different ‘photo book’ companies I can agree with you that Albelli were one of the better ones. Your book looks brilliant you should have ordered yourself a copy! xx
Thank you Mum xxxx
Photo books are such a great way to capture memories. We make one for my grandparents every year and they appreciate it so much more than any other gift you could buy x
I think I might have to do a few for presents this year, if I get any time!! :D Thank you xx