picky picky pictures

October 30, 2009 12:47 PM

Trying to find a specific format of photo album or "brag book."

My mother wants me to make her a photo album of family pictures for Christmas. I'm happy to do so but have a very specific idea in my head of the kind of album I want, and I'm not sure if this exists or where to get it. Google and ebay haven't been much help so far.

The specifics:

--Must be a fairly small album ("brag book" style)--24-picture capacity would be ideal, although I'd go a little bigger or smaller if it has the other features I want. The chunky 100-picture albums, or anything bigger than that, are OUT.

--Must have pockets for photos.

--MUST have "memo space" next to each picture for writing in comments. This feature is VERY important to me so please don't recommend anything without it.

--Covers will preferably be a solid color or a pretty neutral print; I'm also fine with leather, fabric or the kind where you insert a small photo. NO baby, wedding, travel, or cute-cutesy stuff.

--Prefer book-style binding rather than spiral bound or loose-leaf (I haven't liked the one removable-page album I've used previously).

--I'm in the eastern/central CT area, but as long as anything recommended has capability for online ordering, that doesn't matter.

posted by dlugoczaj to shopping (7 answers total)

Here are a few...
+ White Album Memo Photo Album - Not pocket-based, but it has everything else: neutral white faux-leather cover, about 6"x8", holds 40 images, caption lines next to each image.
+ Kolo Essex - Customizable with photo pockets, lined pages, etc. I think you can mix and match inserts within a book.
+ Kolo Noci Brag Book - For this one, instead of photos on both pages, you could insert a blank or lined card opposite the photo it goes with for the "memo space" requirement. Or the Kolo Matchbook, which is similar (but only 10 photos).
+ Voyageur Small Memo Brag Book - Check out the additional images to see a picture, though at 80 pictures it might be too big for you.
posted by cocoagirl at 1:41 PM on October 30, 2009

I bought exactly what you describe at the national chain Michaels craft store last week. Solid color, memo space, photos inserted from the top, one photo per page, bound, with photo insert on cover, holds 36. It's not one of those cheap flimsy $1 ones. They had neutral and bright colors available. I paid around $6.
posted by ellenaim at 2:58 PM on October 30, 2009

Hi, I am doing something similar for family members (again) this year. I'm doing it digitally. Sites like Costco or shutterfly let you upload pictures, add captions, and then send you the album nicely printed. I've used both previously and have been VERY happy with the results. I have always done larger albums (9x12ish) but am going to try the brag book sizes this year as stocking stuffers :)
posted by Abbril at 5:19 PM on October 30, 2009

ellenaim--cool. We have a Michaels in my area; I just didn't want to take the time to go there unless I'd gotten a heads-up that the thing actually existed (especially because, well, it's Michaels, and I would certainly find stuff to spend more money on even if I didn't buy the album!). I tried checking online on the Michaels website before I made this post, but they didn't get into that much detail about what they had since you can't order albums online.

Abbril--you know, while I was doing some more web research I ran across shutterfly and picaboo, and I thought that looked pretty nice and not very expensive. I may actually go that route.

The other option I've been toying with (after a lot of digging) is a panoramic photo album, in which I could insert my own paper with comments & what-have-you next to the photos. Seemed like that might be a little longer than I'd like, though.

Thanks all!
posted by dlugoczaj at 5:27 PM on October 30, 2009

If you go to Michael's, check online for their latest flyer. Usually there is a 40% off coupon.
posted by Abbril at 6:52 PM on October 30, 2009

The Michaels website is not very helpful, but this is what I'm talking about: the Recollections Photo Albums. The small green one pictured holds 36. Upon closer inspection of my album, I see that the photos load in from the side (interior), not the top as I had originally stated.
posted by ellenaim at 7:17 AM on October 31, 2009

Went to Michaels yesterday--they had these albums in six colors, at 40% off. I bought one in every color--I'll give three of them to my kids as stocking stuffers, use one for my mom, and keep the other two in case I want to do another small album at some point.

I still really think I'd enjoy playing with the photo book websites, but I think I'll shelve that for the future.
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:58 AM on November 3, 2009