How To Create Photo Books That Wow You

Of course opinions vary but, generally speaking, good photo books are considered good by the family whose pictures are in them. Contrast that with great photo books, the kind that wow you, and you'll find they're considered great by family, and others as well. So let's talk about how you create photo books that wow you, and everyone else who picks them up.

The general principles for creating photo books are the same, good or great. The difference lies primarily in the details, but most anyone can do it. It just may take some people a little more time than others.

If you were to do a little research on the Internet until you found a few photo books that wow you, you would find that they all contain the same four basic ingredients; 1) good pictures, 2) good captions and text, 3) graphics/artwork, and 4) an eye-popping display of the pictures, captions and text, and the graphics/artwork.

It's important that you notice that I didn't say the pictures, captions and text, and graphics/artwork had to be eye popping, only the display and overall presentation of them. You may not be a photographer, or make your living as a writer, so it's unreasonable to expect you to be able to turn out award winning photos and text. However, your pictures, as well as the captions and text, need to be good, if you want your photo book to wow everyone.

Good pictures can be the result of good photography, but they can also be the result of taking an over abundance of pictures so that you have a lot to pick from. Since you are going to be taking your pictures with a digital camera ($40-$80 will buy a good one), you can take as many as you want to. You only pay for the ones you have printed. So, if you're not a great photographer, you may need to take lots of pictures to make up for it.

Good captions and text can be the result of good writing skills, but they can also be the result of previewing, tweaking, and team work. Keep in mind that we're going for wow. No pride of authorship here. Once you decide on which pictures you're going to use, write some captions (giving names of the subjects), but also add some interesting text to go with them. You won't be able to say much about all of them, but enough to add some interest and bring your pictures to life will be meaningful. Preview your captions and text, tweak it until you like it, and get feedback from others. A little teamwork is sometimes very helpful.
Graphics/artwork are provided by the online company you use, so you don't need to be concerned about being an artist. The point-and-click instructions on the web site will tell you how to make use of them. You just choose which graphics/artwork you want to use, and place it where you think it's most helpful.

An eye-popping display of the pictures, captions and text, and the graphics/artwork are extremely important. It's the fourth and final ingredient that it takes to give your photo book the wow factor, not simply good. You get the eye-popping results by creating your photo book on the right web site. The right one for you will have; book designs that appeal to you, features and options that you like, an easy to navigate interface, and the technology that precisely places your pictures, captions, text, and graphics/artwork throughout your book in a stunning fashion.

If you will be meticulous in making sure that your photo book has these same four basic ingredients, you will most definitely create photo books that will wow you, and everyone else who picks them up.