If you thought family photo albums were a thing of the past, think again. Thanks to picture restoration services and online scrapbooking tools, this previously outdated pastime is making a comeback. 

Whether you are documenting scenes from the “new normal” or creatively archiving old photographs, there is no formula for an ideal photo album. However, these five tips may help streamline your project – resulting in a stunning and memorable keepsake. 

Tip 1 – Select & Organize Your Images

Filling your photo album with focused and meaningful images will make for a unique finished product. But the most time-consuming task of the entire project? Sorting through your photographs!

To make things easier for you, you can section your images according to an event, year, or season. Some digital tools can even automatically sort photos by date or location.

Instead of scrolling through thousands of photos chronologically, consider reviewing your calendar. Note any special occasions or significant events that you might’ve hosted or attended. Then, go through each photograph like a fine-tooth comb. Eliminate photos that are poorly framed, blurry, and uninspiring. Pare down each section to a maximum of ten images.

Tip 2 – Restore Damaged Photos

If you’re compiling a family photo album using printed images, you might find that your old photographs have incurred some damage. Over the years, physically stored pictures tend to fade, tear, and stain. Fortunately, there are many photo restoration services and software available nationwide. 

Many online tools offer easy-to-use one-click and automatic features that allow users to manipulate contrast, saturation, and color, among other things. Most of this software is free to download, but there is a learning curve for people new to photo editing.

On the other hand, professional photo restoration services can provide more advanced repairs such as retouching, colorization, and easy cloud storage. If you aren’t confident in your photo editing skills, professional photo restoration is a quick and often affordable solution.

Tip 3 – Choose A Theme & Layout

Put your images into context. Do you want to look back at the past year or create a collection of Christmas moments? Many online photo album creators offer pre-arranged themes that you can easily drag and drop your photos into. 

Using these themes as your starting point, brainstorm colors, patterns, and textures that compliment your pictures. Next, select your layout. Do you plan to keep your photo album as a coffee table book? If so, you might opt for a square format. For group shots, a landscape design might do your photos more justice.

At the end of the day, how you want your photo album to look will be up to you!

Tip 4 – Use The Right Tools & Software

It’s finally time to put your photo album together! If you’re using digital images, many online tools give you full control over your project. Using a design site, you can select various templates, rearrange your photos, add text, and incorporate other graphic elements. 

If you enjoy the old-fashioned feel of a physical photo album, consider making a physical scrapbook. For those who prefer something straightforward and simple, spine-bound memo albums come with slip-in pockets with ruled spaces for captions. 

When captioning your images, use descriptive headings that tell a story. Put your pictures into context by noting the time, place, and names of people in each image. You can also attach an anecdote to each photograph – you never know when your grandchildren might come asking about the family members before them.

Tip 5 – Print & Share Your Final Product

Now that your hard work is complete, it’s time to share your keepsake with other family members or future generations. If you’re having your photo album printed, order multiple copies to distribute to your parents, siblings, and children. 

Make your album more interactive by incorporating creative pages. For instance, you can leave a few blank pages for notes or glue in mementos such as concert tickets, acceptance letters, participation certificates, and more. 

For younger family members, you can craft a questionnaire with space for responses. Include simple questions such as “What do you want to be when you grow up?” or “What is your favorite movie?” Kids will love to look through their answers as they get older.

The Bottom Line

Thanks to digital tools and professional services, scrapbooking doesn’t have to be as time-consuming as it once was. If you have thousands of family photos sitting on your phone, laptop, or boxes in the attic, take the weight off your shoulders – and devices – by creating a family photo album that you can appreciate for years to come.

With a photo memory book, you and your family can look back on achievements, milestones, and little moments that are more meaningful than you initially thought. Plus, building your photo album can keep you busy throughout the quarantine while bringing you closer to your family history!