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The older we get, the more we have a tendency to hold on to the moments we cherish. We curse missing that recital ten years ago, but don’t realize how much it meant until we see our little girl walking down the aisle. It’s enough to fill a heart with way too much regret.
The little things matter. The smiles from a family picnic, the excitement of your first solo trip abroad, or the celebrations of a milestone birthday deserve more. More of you. Your time. Thoughts. And your feelings, too.
So change it. Preserving memories allows you to hold onto those moments and carry them forward. With personalized memory projects like photo books or other keepsakes, you’re not just storing photos and notes; you’re creating something tangible that tells your story and keeps those experiences alive for years to come.
Take it to the next level by creating custom projects. Here’s how to get it done, so you won’t miss, forget, or take any memory for granted ever again.
Choose the Right Project
Before you start designing layouts or gathering materials, consider what kind of project aligns with the memories you want to preserve.
Different experiences call for different approaches. Do you really want pictures of your daughter’s wedding on the same page as a frat toga party from college? No. At least…we hope not.
- Photo Books – Premium hardcover albums are great for chronicling a period in your life. Your marriage. Children. Your career. They allow you to curate photos and captions into a cohesive narrative.
- Memory Boxes – A memory box works well for an eclectic mix of items like handwritten notes, event tickets, or even pressed flowers.
- Journals or Scrapbooks – If writing is important to you, scrapbooks and journals are excellent for blending photos with personal reflections or stories.
Choose a project that feels personal to you and reflects the way you connect with the memories you want to preserve.
Gather Your Materials
Once you’ve decided on the type of project, the next step is gathering everything you need. This step is about finding significance in the small details and curating materials that tell a story.
Organizing Pictures
If your photos are scattered across devices or storage systems, it’s time to bring a bit of order to that hot mess of chaos. Dedicate a little time to sorting them into albums, either by date, location, or theme.
Collecting Other Keepsakes
Keepsakes from life’s beautiful experiences – plane tickets, receipts, or even a napkin with a doodle from a café in Paris where your wife first wrote the words “I love you”. They add texture and depth to your project. Think about items that trigger feelings or memories rather than just supporting the visuals.
Editing and Enhancing Images
Before printing photos for your project, edit them. Adjust brightness and contrast to make your images pop, and crop them to focus on the most important details.
Prioritizing for Space
If you’re working with limited space, you won’t be able to include every item or photo. Decide which pieces feel the most meaningful and contribute to the overall story you want your project to tell.
Design a Layout That Tells a Story
But this isn’t a story! It’s just a bunch of pictures!
No. It’s a story. It’s your story. Your life. It’s what you did, how you lived, the lives you touched, and the lives that touched yours.
Establish a Narrative
Think of your project as having a beginning, middle, and end. So…the opposite of Game of Thrones. Unless your story is a lifetime full of cash grabs.
We digress.
For instance, if you’re creating a photo book about a family vacation, you might start with the excitement of packing, showcase the highlights of the trip in the middle, and end with reflective moments or departing scenes.
Set the tone. It matters.
Use Variety
Vary your layouts to keep things interesting. Mix large photos with smaller ones or balance images with text entries. If you’re incorporating keepsakes, give them their own space to shine.
Maintain Consistency
Try to maintain consistency in fonts, colors, and themes. Using every design trick available is tempting, but a clean, cohesive look will better serve your story.
Keep Memories Alive Through Creative Projects
Cherish every second. Because the older you get, the more you realize just how fleeting and limited life can be.
Creating a scrapbook preserves the moments that matter most to you. Curating and designing each page tells your story as you remember it. As it matters to you.
Stay true to your personal style and yourself. The little quirks and imperfections make it uniquely yours. Keep your memories alive. Not just for yourself, but for anyone who gets the joy of flipping through the pages in the future. Make each project a celebration of life’s precious moments – big or small.
