Want to create your own photobook but don’t know where to start? Well, you’re not the only one! We understand that for some people, the thought of actually putting together your first photobook can seem like a daunting process, but in reality, it’s actually a fairly easy (and really fun!) process once you get started.

To help you all out, we’ve spoken to some members of our creative teams and put together this list of helpful tips and tricks on how to start your photo book.

 Pick a Theme

The best photo books are the ones that have a cohesive theme. Like any good book, your photo book should have a motive and be able to tell the viewers some sort of story. For example, maybe you want to create a photo book about your family vacation, the things you saw in a particular month, or maybe even a series of photos taken by your kids from their perspective.

By picking a theme, you’ll also be able to determine what kind of content you’d like to include in your photo books. Things such as the type of pictures (whether they be just scenery shots, candid photos, portraits or a mixture), the overall colour scheme, the type of texts your may or may not want to include and the overall tone.

It will also ensure that you work more mindfully so that you can create a more thoughtful finished product.

Curate your Photos

Having your photos organized and placed into groups/collections ahead of time can really help make the process of making your photo book that much easier. Think of it like having all your lego pieces at the ready. Combine it with your blueprint (i.e. theme) then you’ll find yourself on the right road to building your masterpiece.

Additionally, while curating your photos, you’ll also be able to see how well each photo will look alongside one another. 

Pro tip: Try experimenting with the layout placements of landscapes, portraits, candids and close up photos to give your photo book more variety.

To avoid photos from looking pixelated when they’re printed out in book form, ensure that your photos meet the minimum size and dpi requirement. 

(Fun fact: The pixajoy editor will warn you during creation if the images you use are of low-quality/does not meet the minimum dpi requirement).

To check your image properties, simply right-click on the photo, and select “Properties.” There you’ll be able to see the size of your image. To find the dpi of your image, simply click the “Details” tab that can be found on top of the window.

Do take note that while you can’t make a photo bigger after taking it, you can change the dpi via photo-editing software like Photoshop or GIMP.

Selecting your Photobook Style & Type.

Once you have your themes and photos picked out and at the ready, it’s time to consider just what type of book you want to produce. This will be partly influenced by personal preference, the photo book’s purpose, the theme of the content and the budget you want to allocate for this project.

At Pixajoy, we provide our users with a wide range of photo book options that are suitable for any occasion, theme and budget. Choose one (for now) that is best suited for your theme and photos.

• Ruff ‘n’ Tuff Debossed Hardcover

Best for: Weddings, Family Photos, Graduation.

• Cool Image Wrap Hardcover

Best for: Travel photos, Friendship albums, Couples Book, Holiday Photos.

• Window Die-Cut Hardcover

Best for: Weddings, Honeymoon, Family.

• Stylish Layflat Hardcover

Best for: Photographers portfolio, Look books, Artbooks, Cosplay albums.

• Cheap ‘n’ Chic Softcover

Best for: Friends and Family photos, Kids Concert Albums, Birthdays, Holidays.

 Layout

So now that you’ve got everything in order, it’s time to focus on the photos and how you want to present them on the pages of your photo book. Contrary to popular beliefs, there is a surprising number of options you could go for when it comes to photo layouts; it depends on what kind of ‘feeling’ you want your book to have.

You can opt for something simple, like having a single image to occupy a page or experiment with having two or three photos on a page. 

Choosing your Cover Photo

Seeing as it’s the first point of contact for anyone who picks up your photo book, here are some factors that you might want to take into consideration when choosing your cover photo:

• Firstly, try to find an image that best represents the theme of your photo book wholly so that it is obvious from the get-go what the book is all about.
• Second, when choosing your photo, ensure that it’s of high quality so that it doesn’t appear pixelated or blurry when printed out.
• Lastly, the photo should also be engaging so that it catches people’s interests.

Give it a Try

So there we have it, a short and simple guide on how to get started in putting together your very first photobook. It may seem complicated at first, but the more thought and consideration you put into it, the more rewarding it will be once you have your first collection of photo books printed and in your hands.

Feel inspired to start your first photo book? Feel free to visit the Pixajoy website and look through our range of Premium Quality Photo Books and Gifts.