I finally finished my 2013 photo book. I know, I know—it's March. Oops.
I started creating yearly photo books back in 2011 when Max was born. I was tired of having piles of photos that either ended up on Facebook or just sat untouched in cardboard boxes. While traditional scrapbooking is awesome (my friend Jennifer Chapin's albums are incredible!), it’s not something I have the time or space for.
My very first photo book was dedicated to Max’s baby pictures. I wanted a special way to showcase those precious moments since I knew they wouldn’t stay framed forever. It also made a fantastic gift for all the new grandparents! Loving how it turned out, I decided to continue making one every year as a family keepsake.
Last year, like every year before, I planned to stay on top of things by documenting each month as it happened. By February, I’d already completed January 2013. It felt great! But then life got busy, and somehow, I didn’t manage to finish the rest of the year. That left me scrambling to put together the remaining 11 months, which wasn’t fun at all. Thankfully, a friend suggested setting reminders on my phone for the end of each month—something I wish I'd thought of sooner! She mentioned that doing this made her process smoother and helped her avoid forgetting important moments.
There are plenty of online platforms where you can create photo books, but I stick with Shutterfly because we already have a family website for storing our photos. Having everything uploaded makes the whole process easier. Oh, and I always transfer my phone photos each month too. Not only does this free up space on my device, but it also ensures my mobile shots are safely backed up. No matter which platform you choose, the result is always worth it—you’ll end up with a beautiful keepsake that will bring back memories for years to come.
Here are some popular options, though my number-one piece of advice is to wait for discounts! Coupon codes are easy to find with a quick Google search, and sales happen often. Save your project in your account until prices drop.
- Shutterfly
- mpix
- Snapfish
- CVS
- Mixbook
Fingers crossed I keep up better with 2014—I’m already ahead with January and February!
Anyway, I hope everyone’s spring is going well. I’ve been trying to get more organized lately, and this photo book project has definitely helped. There’s something so satisfying about looking back at the year through pictures. It makes me feel like I’m capturing life as it happens, rather than letting it slip away unnoticed.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that consistency is key. If I don’t set aside time regularly, these projects tend to pile up quickly. Setting small goals, like dedicating an hour once a week, can make a huge difference. And if I ever feel overwhelmed, I remind myself why I started in the first place—to preserve memories for my family.
So, if you’re thinking about starting your own photo book tradition, I highly recommend giving it a shot. Even if you fall behind occasionally, it’s never too late to catch up. You’ll be glad you did!
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