Maybe this will help someone else becaue it REALLY helped me. Part of the reason I got so far behind is because I hadn't figured out how I was going to display the photos. I wanted to scrapbook, but don't have the software and was a little wary that it would take too long. But I wanted to get started. I just couldn't figure out how to assemble my album (was it going to be sticky sheets, or scrapbooked and inserted, etc.)
So I printed out tons of photos that I liked with the hope that I would somehow find the time to scrapbook them. Of course they got out of order, I finally got a big box and added all my loose photos to it and all the other photos from other people, etc. and tried to order them in there. Well the box was a good idea-- just not to print out SOO many photos at once.
They still sit there in the box-- but I do throw things in this box that I want to save and scrapbook (little pieces of art, cards from family members, etc.) So I do think setting a space aside for things is helpful. I took a loss on printing out so many individual photos after I decided that I pretty much needed to do it a different way.
What I started to do is print out album pages. I have a HP printer and it came with some software that I use-- very simple layouts you can select from (The layouts 'albums' are 4 to a page, 8 to a page, some collages with 15-20 pictures, etc, etc.). Then I print out the pages and put them in a sheet protector in a 3 ring binder. This saves printing each individual photo and then cutting them and then finding the time to put them in a book. Afterwards I can go back and add stickers, designs, etc if I want to spice it up. I've saved cute wrapping paper (in my box), for example. Each album may be a theme, an age, or a special event (holiday, wedding, etc) but everythign is roughly chronological with a few 'fun' collages here and there. This is not only to just be fun, but sometimes I needed a page between one section, or for the back of a page before starting a new 'album', for example.
I also have some unfinished 'albums' saved on my computer that I can add pictures too (like a babywearing album, nursing photo's, bath's) it saves the pictures so I don't have to find them again and then if I take another cute one I can add it to the album and print the sheet out when I have collected enough photos.
I have pieces on my computer that I have written about ds or parenting-- and again,I have the box. But I feel a lot less stressed knowing that I can just add these pieces to my book without getting further and further behind on printing/doing something. Sometimes I print a page with a blank space intending that I can 'write' something and add it to the album later.
I started doing this when ds was just over a year and I REALLY REALLY wish I had started off this way because I would have saved myself countless hours going through piles of single printed photos and files on my computer to find that 'one cute photo of something....'.
I briefly noticed that Kodak does allow you to send albums like this in and they will print them for you, but I have a printer and can print them out on my own. I have not looked into that much, but the companies that do it probably have their own software that you use. The consideration might be that you MAY have to be online on their website while using the album-- while others you MAY be able to arrange the album on your computer and then upload the pages for printing.
I would like a fancier editing program but I decided that it was better to get started and catch up rather than delay. Plus I can always do a neat scrapbook or digital scapbook page of favorite photos and stick that in my photo book (see, I just love the fact that the binders allow that freedom).
There are some photobooks that have a nicer format than a sheet protector- they allow you to clip the page into the book bindings. So you don't see the 3 holes or the binder part. My dad got me one but it is very small and much more expensive to get the inserts. It DOES look more professional than the binder look.
EmmaGoldman asked about
calendars
I realize this is too late for this past holiday but Kodakgallery also had a program that you can add your photos and print out calendars-- which we did the last 2 Christmas's for family members-- a BIG HUGE hit. They are $20.00 each. This year I did the photobooks because I had 2 free credits and they were amazing. It does take a while of online time to upload the photos and arrange the calendars/photobooks, but they were worth it. Be careful and check shipping costs or have them delivered to a local CVS for much less. BTW, I've used vista print for business cards since they have so many free offers (pay shipping for 250 cards at about $5.00) and kodak sends WAY less mail than vistaprint, lol!)
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Welcome.jsp
BTW, I also use a 3 ring binder and sheet protectors for all my recipes and all the recipe clippings I've collected.
I'm not sure my explanation was too clear. Sorry!
Jessica
Follow Mothering