Studies have shown that printed photos in the home go beyond artistic value. Tangible printed portraits boost self-esteem in children. They also help children feel valuable, seen, and loved. In this article, we have simplified the process for how to design a family photo album.

There are many ways to print and display family photos, but the album has quickly become one of our favorites. Unlike large, framed installations, albums can easily be gifted or transported in a move. Photo albums are also a more private option for enjoying images. They require intentionality, and create a more intimate experience for the viewer.

Here are 5 steps to creating an heirloom photo album of your own…

1. Consider the recipient

If you’re designing an album for yourself, decision-making is pretty straightforward.

If you’re designing a gift for a loved-one, or with your future grandchildren in mind, you can how they will want to experience the album. For example, a more distant relative might appreciate formal, smiling-at-the-camera poses, while a mother would rather see storytelling details and candid moments of her own children.

2. Choose your images

As Madison family photographers, we know that narrowing down images for an album can be one of the most difficult parts. Try to select a variety within your images to add visual interest as you design your pages. After choosing your favorites, look back through your gallery for wider images that showcase the environment as well as close-up images highlighting smaller details.

We have also found that sequences in an album can be impactful rather than redundant. Don’t be afraid to include multiple photos from the same moment, especially if they tell a story of how a memory unfolded.

3. Choose where you’ll order from

There can be many factors when choosing the company you’ll order from. Consider the available products/sizes, built-in design software, and price point.

We recommend MPIX or Artifact Uprising for a DIY album. For something more premium, order directly through your professional photographer. Professional photographers work closely with high-end printing labs and are able to offer the highest quality print products.

4. Decide on book size/ratio

The options can feel overwhelming when it comes to size and ratio. For a standard family album, we opt for a 10×10. Holding a book this size feels substantial without being overwhelming, and the square ratio allows for page spreads that don’t feel compressed.

5. Design each spread

As you design, keep in mind that book pages will appear as spreads so design accordingly. Most design software will already take this into account.

Allow yourself to use a variety of images. Images taken from the same distance can feel repetitive, even if taken in different locations or poses. Try pairing close-ups and wide shots with standard portraits to create balance and visual interest.

Keep it simple! It can feel like you should pack as many images into each page as possible, but we’ve found fewer, larger images create a stronger composition. Simple layouts give your eyes focal point rather than overwhelming the senses with no one spot to land.

Finally, relax and enjoy leafing through your new photo album.

No more worrying about your kids one day having to sort through your camera roll for their childhood photos. You have preserved your legacy, and these precious memories will be accessible for years to come.

We hope these tips have given you some helpful information on how to design a family photo album. If you found this helpful, check out our articles ”The Best Photoshoot Location in Huntsville” and “4 Reasons to Book Your Maternity and Newborn Photos Together” next.

And if you’re looking for a film photographer specializing in custom photo albums, we’d be honored to be a part of your story. If you’ve been considering a portrait session or bespoke album for your family, send us a message today to see if we’ll be a good fit!

Fauna & Film are Huntsville family photographers specializing in nostalgic film photography, camcorder home movies, and custom heirloom artwork for couples and families in Huntsville, Alabama and the Tennessee Valley.

From bespoke photo albums to custom, museum-worthy framed artwork, their passion is to serve clients by designing artwork for them that will last generations.  Your memories deserve to be seen.

Currently serving Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and surrounding area.