The books you never knew you needed.
We're all familiar with the traditional books that comprise your typical memory collection—the wedding album, the baby book, the family photo album. And while they are important, there is a whole world of great photo books out there waiting to be created. We've got 5 ideas for a photo book that will expand your collection in a meaningful and creative way.
1. A pet book
1. A pet book
Pay homage to the furry friends in your life who take you on adventures, greet you at the door and clean the crumbs from under the dining room table. No doubt your phone is filled with photos that are too cute not to turn into a captivating photo book. Take photos after they have been rolling around in the mud, when they're sleeping in the sun, playing with the kids or out on a walk. You’ll quickly be reminded of how much joy they bring to your family.
2. A day in the life
2. A day in the life
Take people through a regular day in your family's household. No bells, no whistles, just an honest look at your everyday and the quiet chaos that makes up your 24 hours. These little moments are always more interesting than you think and they go far to capturing the essence of your family. Don’t try and force moments or pose for the camera, often when you force something it translates to an unnatural feeling in the photo. Let the moments happen organically; this way each person’s unique personality can shine through. Choose a lazy Sunday, grab your camera and let the magic happen.
Take people through a regular day in your family's household. No bells, no whistles, just an honest look at your everyday. The little moments are always more interesting than you think and they go far to capturing the essence of your family. Choose a lazy Sunday, grab your camera and let the magic happen.
3. Create for your child's artwork
3. Create for your child's artwork
The school bag can quickly deliver an overwhelming number of creative delights. Between the macaroni art, finger painting and crayon drawn family portraits, the fridge and walls can quickly become overrun. As soon as a new creation arrives home from school, take a snap of it on your phone and save it in a folder. You’ll build up an amazing collection of your children’s art which you can then turn into a photo book that celebrates their creativity. Divide the book into themes or simply document the creativity as the year goes by. Ask your child for a small description of the art, and perhaps what they love about it—when they're older they (and you) will love looking back on it.
The school bag can quickly deliver an overwhelming number of creative delights—from macaroni art, to finger paintings and crayon drawn family portraits. As soon as a new creation arrives home from school, take a snap of it on your phone and save it in a folder. You’ll build up an amazing collection of your child’s art which you can then turn into a wonderful photo book.
4. A unique notebook
4. A unique notebook
Create your own stylish notebook, journal or diary that surrounds your thoughts with beautiful and inspiring imagery. When creating, leave white space for your words. When picking your images, either pick your own that you love or consider exploring a free photo site like Unsplash to select images that simply inspire you. Stuck on a gift idea? This is an incredibly thoughtful gift for a loved ones like the grandparents—fill it with moments you have shared together, or with photos of the kids. Once you’ve printed your book it’s easy to replicate and update the images without having to re-design the book.
5. A family recipe book
5. A family recipe book
Food is something that brings us together and has the power to elicit emotion with every bite. We all have that cake made by gran, that pie made by an aunt or a secret recipe that’s been passed down for generations that almost defines our family. Start collecting those recipes, talking to family members, taking photos of the final product (either by itself or with everyone at the table) and scan in old recipes that you’ve ripped out of magazines. Consider adding a story alongside the recipe to add extra context. A great idea for a Christmas gift full of memories and delicious meals—or as a simple treat for yourself.
Food brings us together and it has the power to elicit emotion with every bite. We all have that iconic, secret recipe that’s been passed down for generations that almost defines our family. Start collecting those recipes, talking to family members, and taking photos of the final product (and the cooking process). A great idea for a gift full of memories and delicious meals—or as a simple treat for yourself.
