I want to create a simple workflow for making an annual photo album

January 1, 2015 7:25 AM

I want to make an annual photo album using my computer. What is the best way to create a simple workflow for this?

Details: Most of my photos are centred around big events like birthdays, family member visits and so on (so I will not be taking photos every day). Ideally, what I would like to do is begin a new book for the year NOW, and simply add one or two photos to it every time an event happens. Then at the end of the year, I can press 'order' and be done.

The problem is that the only software I know of (right now) which lets me do this is iPhoto, and I don't like how their hardcover books have a sleeve. I want to have photos printed directly on the cover of the book. I have tried their softcover option in the past and found the cover bent and got ruined, so I would prefer a hardcover option.

My sister-in-law uses Snapfish but says you have to do it all in one sitting, and the web-based interface can be slow and clunky...

So, is Apple the only one with desktop software and I just have to live with the sleeve on the book? Is there an easier workflow for what I want to do here?

Other notes: I have an iPhone which automatically uploads the camera roll to Dropbox; I move those to a folder within for each month. I think I am fairly organized but I want to make sure I set up a good workflow so I can order these yearly books with a minimum of fuss.

posted by JoannaC to Technology (9 answers total)

I'm doing this with Artifact Uprising - they let you save projects. I'm using my computer, but there's an app too. I think Pinhole Press works similarly, and has a different assortment of layouts and covers than AU.
posted by jrobin276 at 7:49 AM on January 1, 2015

Ok AU uses a dust jacket but it looks like Pinhole Press does what you want.
posted by jrobin276 at 8:05 AM on January 1, 2015

Pretty much any photo organizer should let you star or favorite photos. Mark them as you go at at year end the final search to pull them all into a folder takes 10 seconds. Then you can upload that folder anywhere you want to print the album.
posted by COD at 8:06 AM on January 1, 2015 [1 favorite]

Blurb offers downloadable layout software and allows you to create hardcovers without sleeves.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:37 AM on January 1, 2015 [1 favorite]

I don't know anything about their photo albums specifically but I made a calendar on Shutterfly and you can save your work and come back.
posted by radioamy at 9:54 AM on January 1, 2015

Also came to recommend Shutterfly.
posted by ocherdraco at 11:04 AM on January 1, 2015

I used Adoramapix to do this a while back. It worked fairly well and they seem to have a number of options for book shapes and sizes. They also seem to support iphoto lightroom and others as image exporters.

I notice they have mixed yelp reviews, though.
posted by All Out of Lulz at 11:11 AM on January 1, 2015

I've used Shutterfly, Blurb and Artifact Uprising and they're all great quality and easy to create.
posted by moosedogtoo at 2:56 PM on January 1, 2015

Best answer: the hardcover photo books that I've ordered from apple have the photo printed on the jacket and the actual cover.
posted by sabh at 6:52 PM on January 2, 2015