Our First Photobook

In September 2011, I bought a voucher for a Fotosnaps photobook.  I've always wanted to make one because it's a fast and easy way to view and show pictures.  Fast forward to April 2012.  I was left with barely a week to complete the layout before the deal expires.  I planned to do it one weekend but it didn't happen so I crammed, rushed the layout and submitted it day before expiry.  Here's the final product.

Front Cover
Before getting married - in the Philippines
Before getting married - in the US
April 24, 2005
2006 - Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Camiguin
2007 - Hong Kong, Singapore, Coron, Iligan
2008 - New house in Cavite, Baguio, Manila Ocean Park, Neil's first Christmas
2008 - The Neil Year
2009 - Manila and Iligan
2010 - Atlanta, San Diego, LA, Batangas, Manila, Iligan
2011 - Bohol, Manila, Iligan
Past 6 anniversaries
Back Cover

Given more time, I would have added more text and improved the layout on some of the pages.  But for a rushed first attempt, I love it and I'm proud of myself.  Hehe...=)

Fotosnaps is really easy and convenient to use.  You download the software to your PC so you can work offline.  It comes with a lot of layout, borders and backgrounds to choose from but it also allows you to customize as much as you want.  Ordering and availaing of the voucher was a breeze.  I submitted it on April 16 and the book was delivered April 24.  I am a fan and I am now looking out for similar deals so I can make more books!

Her are some tips from a newbie photobook-maker:
  1. Go with a specific concept.  I think the more focused it is, the easier.  For my first book, I wanted to do a family story of sorts so it spanned many years and choosing the pictures alone took a lot of time.  If you just do one for a specific trip or come up with a photography portfolio, that's more cohesive and easier to put together.
  2. Give yourself enough time because rushing = compromises.  I wasn't able to add more text and some of the pages could have been designed better.  Maybe I could have chosen better photos or take new ones for the book.  Lesson for next time.
  3. Experiment/Get creative.  It's your book and you have all the freedom to do whatever you want!  I do not like cluttered pages and have a tendency to just go with a plain color background but I tried the available graphic backgrounds and have to say they add more spunk to the pages.
  4. Have fun!

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