What do you do with all your family photographs and momentos?
I recently came across my childhood photo album. I am one of four children and my mum still managed to find time to make a photo album for each of us. Looking through it brought up so many memories and funny moments, I actually welled up! Mum's key to putting together a successful photo album was that she included not just photographs but snippets of what we were doing at the time, when we started talking, what our characters were like in that period it was more a photo album and diary mixed into one. Honestly it's an incredible time capsule of my younger self that is priceless to me.
I've enjoyed it for so many reasons, not just laughing at the DIY hair cuts she loved to give me, but as a reference that I have referred back to since having my own boy. When did I first take my steps? Boxing Day 1981 in case you were wondering! What was my personality like as a toddler? Determined with a loud low laugh - ha! Then mixed in are little drawings, locks of my VERY bright red hair, badly spelt messages to the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus making sure they didn't mistake me for the other red headed children in the house. A real insight into who I was in what feels like so long ago! It's also been fascinating to see which characteristics have fed through to adulthood. My sister has commented that the loud low laugh is still there, hum!
Was my mum a professional photographer
Threaded through all of this are the photographs my mum took. Although not a professional family photographer herself she knew the value of a photograph and taking the trouble to print them up. Mixed in with the comments, anecdotes and sketches are the photographs she took. Shots of 'real life', as it was happening and life being enjoyed, or not in some cases as I was exceptionally good at a public tantrum! Those childish expressions, friendships, things that I held dear to my younger self and the love for sitting in a cardboard box has been preserved for me to treasure now and years to come. My mum has made me the best gift and I don't think she knew it's power at the time of making it.
I have always been slightly put off making a similar album for my son that includes this level of detail but then I realise you only need to add a couple of pages every six months for it to work. Gather the sketches and photos up over the year and paste it in the album with the odd comment, observation and memory over one evening. You won't ever regret it and your child/ren with be so grateful that you did.
How to make your own family photo album
So I challenge you! Buy yourself a thick A4/A3 plan note book or sketch book maybe like this one I have just ordered for myself A3 landscape sketch book (I choose landscape as most my photos are taken landscape) and get filling! In the meantimes collect the lovely notes, drawings and photos and pop them in a shoebox ready for the next update. It's not as time consuming or as hard as you'd think!
If you liked this blog post you may also like to read a bit more about who I am, the Beth behind the blog and the camera!
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I just love this idea and will be absolutely doing it for my little girl thank you!
Thank you Kathy. I’m so pleased it’s inspired you.