I see you.

You're so good at making a picture of your kid covered in spaghetti, or nearly flying off the merry-go-round, and the sunset glowing while puffs of dandelions are blowing on the breeze. These and a million other pictures are stored on your phone's camera, or maybe you've made the next step and have them stored on your computer (good for you if you've done this!).

But what now?

My hard drive is filled with nearly one terabyte of data. WHAT?! I have to sit down and make a concerted effort each month to delete photos that do not make the cut before I transfer them to permanent storage. Folders are made for each day of the month, catalogued into years and sent to multiple back up locations. 

I've learned to make one folder just to document the year. I take my favorite image from the day and place it in my "365" folder. A picture a day that will then go into a photo book or album at the end of the year. These are treasures; little pieces of an entire year that would otherwise be forgotten.

We all are guilty of leaving the hard work of organizing until it feels SO big that we just throw our hands in the air. You're with me on this, right? 

Let's change this narrative, together! There are many companies who offer reasonably priced photo books that you can make directly from your phone, pad, or from Google Photos. Honestly, there's no excuse folks. The industry is making it as simple as possible for all of us to make yearly, if not monthly, photo books. Instagram, Facebook, iPhone, etc...they can all be put into a book in minutes.

Still overwhelmed?

I understand. Do you want soft or hardcover? What type of paper (semi-gloss, pearl, matte) and should it lay-flat or be more like an art book?

Most of these decisions will be based on how hard you (or honestly, your kids) will be on your book over the years. I prefer a hardcover option because I want my kids to not worry about looking through their lives for fear of a delicate book ripping or falling apart.

Chatbooks is a really easy way to create your yearly family, vacation, or whatever the occasion may be, photo book. You have two sizes to choose from and an option for soft or hardcover. You don't have to figure out what paper choice since they only offer one archival option. The price is right, too ($15-30 depending on size 6x6 or 8x8). They even offer a "Photo Book Series" which you set the parameters and books are printed and sent to you without having to do anything...NICE!

Blurb is an excellent company, but their user interface is more complicated and there are many more options. If you are looking for a higher-end photo book, this is one company to research.

Many friends of mine have used MixBook. They are more pricey than Chatbooks, but have more options to choose from if you wish for a variety of papers or a lay-flat option.

There are many more, but these are companies who have shown a solid understanding of their customer's needs and produce a good product. 

Keep in mind...

While these are great for the photos you take of your family, friends, and events, they are not a product I would offer to my clients. I create professional, hand-made albums filled with art; the living moments of your family. My products are meant to last a lifetime!

Whether you hire me to document who you are now and create an amazing album, or use your own images in a consumer based photo book, I urge you to get your life off of the computer, out of the Cloud, and into your hands!