Creating Yearbooks
Why Photo Yearbooks Matter To Me
As photographers, we freeze emotions, experiences, and memories. We have the power to preserve these memories in a artful form, and one of the best ways to do this is by creating photo yearbooks.
I started creating books filled with my personal memories a few years ago and began the series with the year 2012. 2012 was the year I graduated school and started my creative path, I moved to Lübeck, studied design and started to pick up the camera more often, not only to craft artsy images, but also to document life – my life. Photography was a passion but I was far away from doing it professional. Yet, for me, photography became a way to preserve life's adventures and everyday moments. Those yearbooks I create for myself are not just albums; they're little love letters to moments that shaped my me in my past.
I would love to inspire more of you to create those books. Think about documenting your life more in form of photos. And in case you’re a fellow photographer, do it not for your clients, but just for you and your own memories.
Choosing the Perfect Photo Book Printer
When it comes to designing and producing those books, selecting the right printer is an important factor. I like to invest in my memories and do not sacrifice moments just to save a little bit of money. My latest yearbooks all have 240 pages (it’s the maximum amount of pages you can produce when choosing Blurb Linen Hardcover books with my favorite paper finish). There are many great printers on the market.
Here are some of my top choices:
Blurb: Blurb is the printer that I choose to produce my yearbooks. Their high-quality printing, InDesign Plugins & PDF Upload, and customization options make the process effortless. With Blurb, my adventures are beautifully preserved in High Quality Linen Hardcover Books. When ordering from germany with Blurb you’ll need to wait a little bit longer for your books to arrive, because they are not produced in germany. The delivery time takes a little bit longer. But it’s worth the wait!
Artifact Uprising: Artifact Uprising is a print service offering eco-friendly practices alongside craftsmanship. I never produced a book with Artifact Uprising, but it’s high on my list. They also provide nice design options for those not familiar with design software like InDesign and I really like the overall look and feel.
Saal-digital: Saal-digital is my go-to printer when I need high-quality prints fast! This local german printer never disappointed me and they have a super quickl turn-around time. I created many Travelbooks for my family with the Saal-digital software and the quality is great.
Crafting My Personal Yearbook
When creating a photo yearbook, remember to keep things simple and focused. Your goal is to let the images speak for themselves. Avoid overloading your pages with text or excessive embellishments. A clean, minimalist design can be just as powerful as a complex one.
Layout and Organization: Organize your photos chronologically or thematically, depending on the story you want to tell. A well-structured layout helps viewers follow the narrative seamlessly. I stick with a chronologically order.
Selection: Be selective in choosing the images that make it into your yearbook. Each photo should contribute to the overall narrative and evoke emotion. Less can often be more when it comes to visual storytelling. I try to include people that matter to me, rather than just landscapes or stills, but try to mix and match throughout the book.
Captions: While we want to keep the text minimal, captions can provide context and enhance the understanding of the images. Keep them short, relevant, and to the point. I don’t use any captions at all and let only photos speak for themselves. Those are my memories and photos can take me back to all the places immediately. But you decide, if you want to include text or small notes to remember dates, events or locations.
Cover and Materials: Choose a cover and materials that reflect the tone of your yearbook. Whether it's a softcover with a matte finish for a casual feel or a hardcover with a glossy finish for a more polished look, the choice is yours. I prefer high quality linen cover for a natural, yet professional feel. Linen feels timeless and longlasting.
Preserving Memories with Purpose
Creating photo yearbooks is not just about putting pictures in a book. It's about preserving personal memories.