The days of photo albums with paste-in pictures or even scrapbooking are becoming a thing of the past. Today, an easy, fun way to save cherished photos is in a photo book that you can create online, but can still hold the finished product in your hands. Find out how to make a book with your own pictures here!
Step 1: Find out what you can get
Books that you can create via the web are available in a variety of sizes and in price ranges that can fit anyone’s pocketbook. These books and photobooks come hard and softbound, mini-books, as flipbooks and in a huge variety of colors, graphic designs and themes. Covers can vary from plain with a title, leather-bound with a keyhole photo, or simply a full cover photo.
As you will see below, the possibilities are as endless as your imagination – and the price is more affordable than ever.
Step 2: Decide what you want
Start with theme ideas of what you would like your book to accomplish. For example: A cookbook – a really special way of sharing and archiving your family recipes; Biography – a cover to cover history of you or a cherished family member; Pet – a special way to preserve memories of a pet who has passed away; Vacation – a coffee table book of your wonderful vacation; Children’s projects – promote pride by showcasing your child’s artwork or other accomplishments; Poetry – use photos you’ve taken to accompany your poetry; Special event – capture a special event like a wedding, graduation or birthday.
Step 3: Select an online photo book publisher
There are many online book publishers from which to choose. Compare prices and what they offer. Most will provide free software for creating your book, and you’ll also come across special deals, free shipping, and first time customer offers.
Each site will walk you through the steps to creating your book, and cater to varying levels of expertise and different needs. Here are a few photo book publishing sites to check out, listed in alphabetical order:
- AdoramaPix
- AsukaBook
- Blurb
- iPhoto books
- Kodak
- Lulu
- MixBook
- MPix
- MyPublisher
- Photoworks
- Picaboo
- Shutterfly
- Snapfish
- Winkflash
Step 4: Design & Build your book
Check out our step-by-step guide to prepping and creating your own self-published photo book here.
Publishers for the photobooks shown above, from top to bottom: iPhoto (Apple), Kodak, Photoworks
Leave a Comment