Have you made a Family Yearbook before? If not, a Family Yearbook is a photo album with your favorite pictures from the year. Pretty straightforward, right? Until you get down to actually doing it… pictures exist everywhere and it can be a daunting task. The key is setting yourself up for success!
Why you might be wanting a Family Yearbook
So much of our picture viewing is on a screen these days. It’s so easy to share with friends and family and it’s all in the palm of your hand, or a few clicks away!
But think about this: if you went into your parent’s attic and found a bunch of CDs or worse, floppy discs, would you even have a way to see what is on them? Replace those ancient storage discs with outdated mobile phones and no way to charge them, and that could be your kids in a few years.
Besides that, they make amazing gifts for grandparents and it’s just FUN to sit and look through old photos!
Putting in the legwork now, results in a HUGE return to come! But, if you’ve read this far and you’re already stressed out, see if your photographer will do it for you! You’ll still have to supply them with the pictures and some guidelines, but then your work is done!
#1 Done is Better Than Perfect!
As a family photographer, I have high standards for photos. BUT, perfectionism is the enemy of our top goal, which is COMPLETING this project. So, to start, just accept that this will not be perfect and that is ok.
#2 Gather Your Pictures Together Year-Round
To make this as easy as possible, keep it simple. In whatever app you use for taking and storing photos (I use the regular, native Photos app for iPhone) keep a folder or album labeled “Family Yearbook 20xx”. At the end of the year, it’ll be much easier to grab favorites from here.
Set an automatic reminder in your phone to add your recent photos to the Family Yearbook album. Set it up for every other week or every month, whatever works for you is best!
#3 Collect the best of the best
If this is your first rodeo, you probably don’t have a one-stop-shop album set up with your favorite photos in it already. You’ll have to gather all your pictures into a single spot to create your album from. Check your phone, your partners phone, text threads, Facebook, and Instagram for your highlights from the year.
It may feel like a lot, because it is. You’ll only have to do this once though, because we’re going to be better organized next year!
Pictures You May Want to Include:
-Your Annual Family Portrait Session
-Family Vacations
-Kid Activities/sports/hobbies
-Holidays
#4 Don’t Skimp on Researching Your Printer
I always recommend checking with your photographer for album options. The printing quality and materials will be much better and last longer. Bonus points: you support a local business!
If you’d rather order online, do a google search for “custom photo album” or “custom photo book” and you’ll get quite a few results. If they have videos that show the design process, I highly recommend watching.
Nothing frustrates me more than doing a bunch of work to get a project set up only to have technology get in the way. Make sure what they’re showing is intuitive for you and if you feel overwhelmed, it’s probably not worth it.
For me personally, I like to use my professional photographic labs for my Family Yearbooks. My job has spoiled me in this regard… I can’t unsee what I’ve seen! They are built to last CENTURIES. Since I want to pass these down, that’s important to me.
#5 Less is More When Designing
Once you’ve chosen a printer, you’ll upload your images and start designing!
Pro tip:
If you want pictures to go across the gutter (the middle of the pages) pick a book that can lay totally flat. Otherwise, you won’t be able to see parts of your pictures. It’s a book-binding thing…
Choose a classic design for the cover that won’t age from year to year.
I recommend less images per spread(that’s the pro term for two pages that face each other) for a clean, timeless look.
Insert your photos chronologically and it will naturally tell your year’s story.
Consider including a page dedicated to each child with some images that show off their interests and personality. These pages can be added to the front or back of the yearbook since they stand on their own.
Another idea: Leave some blank space on the pages and when you receive it, write notes or thoughts about the images with an acid free pen.
#6 One is a Lonely Number
Consider ordering multiple copies if you have multiple children. Down the road, they’ll be adults that want to enjoy these Yearbooks, but you’ll have all of them still!
I have clients that order their “nice” album, the version that will be the Family Heirloom, through me. But then take the design and order softcover versions for each of their kids, and to gift to all the grandparents.
BONUS: Alternative Album Ideas
Family Yearbook not your thing? Consider these less intense alternatives:
- Only the images from your professional session(s).
- Only that year’s holidays (you could even turn these into a calendar!)
- Turn the Child Page from Tip #5 into a whole book for your child!
- Your Family Vacation could get its own album.
Lastly, ENJOY these Albums. They are your story and meant to be cherished!
Megan Lacy is a Belton, TX based family portrait photographer with over 10 years of experience. You can connect with her on her website: www.megan-lacy.com
