I started another photobook project last year just around this time, but it sure feels like I've been working on this for ten years instead of just one.
I scanned just about all our family photos in 2011. And then I gave copies of the photos on flash drives to our daughter and son.
Many bloggers are writing about approaching the end of our life journeys. I'd started thinking about our family memories and how the kids will have forgotten so much of it.
And that is how I became consumed with creating photobooks of Our Family Memories. I'm thinking it will be my magnum opus to leave our children and grandchildren. As of now, there will be five photo books covering from 1972 when Art and I met until 2021.
I've used all the journals I've kept through the years to write down the details of so many of our family events.
One problem, however, is getting photos ready for printing. Costco tends to cut off edges of pages so I have to be careful not to put heads or important things close to the edge.
This means I have to use Photoshop to clone (create) more image to the edges to certain photos that are in danger of being cut off, especially the spine.
If it's just a matter of adding more wall, grass or fence, it's not a problem.
However, some things are more complex.
This is me and Tiffany looking at her new baby brother over 40 years ago.
I had to add/create image all around the photo including even my arm.
The photo below is Tiffany and my techie son-in-law in front of Notre Dame in Paris many years ago. You can see I had to add more scarf and straps for both of them and sky as well.
It's a whole lot of work, but I'm very grateful to my super artistic brother who taught me a lot of these Photoshop techniques. I've asked him to design the covers for each of the family volumes.
I'm hoping to finish this project by the end of the year. I can then send it off to be printed and also make digital copies for the kids. They will also, of course, get hard copies as well.
I don't think my magnum opus will be done though. I'm figuring there will probably be a Volume 6 to the set eventually.
Wow! I have no idea how you did what you described. I depend upon Shutterfly now to make a yearly album. I used to put the photos in binders myself. They are on a shelf and grandkids like to look at some of them. I even caught Sarah sharing one with her husband when they last visited. That will be the extent of my preserving memories. After we've joined the dust of this earth I don't know what will happen to them but I'm not worried.
ReplyDeleteThat's some incredible work Kay, and what a wonderful legacy to leave your children and their children. And nice job of padding those photos!
ReplyDeletePeople in their third age, tend to write books and sort out family photos.
ReplyDeleteThat's what remains after them when they're gone: written things and photos; humans die.
What a wonderful job you have been doing.
ReplyDeleteThat is a massive task! I usually do a book just after the kids travel. I lack motivation right now, though. Maybe this will do it!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
ReplyDeleteLin says you are impressive with your skill level you've developed...amazing!
ReplyDeleteLin continues I'm uploading all my photos to the website http://familysearch.org where you can upload memories-stories and photos and they are preserved for those interested forever and for free.
ReplyDeleteYou do go into detail for them. My blogs will have to do for the most part as well as the scads of photos. There are other printing apps that might do better than Costco (don’t know, just speculating). Blurb comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteA labor of love for this Labor Day.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful, Kay. I wish I knew how to do that. There are tons of photos on my computer and tons in boxes from before computers and iPhones... but I don't know how to get them organized. Seems like an overwhelming task. I have a few albums done by Shutterfly of the grandkids, but that's about it. Use to have some old albums too... but they have fallen apart over the years.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. It's hard work but well worth the effort. I have stopped making photo books for the grandkids' birthdays each year as we don't see them very often and they are getting to the point of not wanting to take a lot of pictures. I get what I can and that will have to do for the time being.
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago.I made decorated photo books for each of my three children and a half dozen for myself and my kids all about our family.
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing work! I knew that people could do magic with photoshop but I would NOT have been able to tell if you hadn't explained what you'd done. I did a bunch of Shutterfly books of memories and gave my daughters copies. I treasure them and I think my girls will too, eventually.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift you are to your family and to us as well, Kay
ReplyDeleteYou are one ambitious lady. I've scanned most of my photos but have yet to send them on. I'm very surprised at how much we have on photos and what we did as a family.
ReplyDeleteTruly wonderful work there, Kay. Thanks for going to all that trouble!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive, Kay. You are creating real treasures.
ReplyDeleteI have never learned or used PhotoShop. I do have all of my old photos in albums. I stopped making albums or printing photos when I started blogging. Now everything is digital. I know Jill makes her own family albums.
I always tell myself that I should sit down and do this, but...I just don't. I never get it done. I lack the skills.
ReplyDeleteMost impressive. You all look so cute in your younger years. I'm betting your longevity genes will have you doing a few more albums! (How much do you charge?) Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteWow. That is such a huge undertaking - but SO worth it!
ReplyDeleteI have always used Shutterfly and they print exactly how they appear on the computer. I would like to do something like that along with printing off genealogy volumes too but my motivation to put in the effort to do so is severely lacking most days. I hope you are able to accomplish your task!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that the changes you made could even be done. What an amazing gift you are preparing for your kids. A real labor of love.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds complicated.
ReplyDelete