Hi Friends,

Cathy Caines from the TRD Hybrid Team here to chat about how easy it can be to get overwhelmed on photo-heavy days. Typically, photo heavy days are related to an event or a particular day of the year like Christmas. The problem is, if not handled properly that sense of overwhelm lends me to procrastinate documenting some of my most cherished days or events of the year.

Over the past couple years, I’ve tackled photo-heavy days by breaking it down into simple steps. Most times, it’s enough to help me overcome the overwhelm to ensure that these stories are told and that the corresponding photos are in the album.

Essentially, it’s a double page layout or a sandwich. Okay, okay. A sandwich would be two oversized photos and in the center a grid format of multiple photos. Let me break this down for you:

Step 1: Pick one or two of your favourite photos from the entire day/event.

Sometimes this is easy. Other times it’s not. Either way, think of it as the cover and/or back cover of a story book.

Step 2: Print your favourite photos in oversize.

Take those same photos and get them in the albums right away. Print them in oversize. For me, it typically means printing in 8.5x11” or 6”x8”.

Step 3: Trash any duplicate photos.

Hopefully, you’ve already culled your photos but if you haven’t, now is the time. Delete any photos that don’t make you “feel all the feels” or are duplicates. You don’t need 100 photos of your child staring at a Christmas bulb. Pick one.

Step 4: Select no more than 9 to 12 photos that you will print in batch sizes.

Don’t overthink this. All I want you to do in this step is print the leftovers in the same size. I often use the app called ‘PicCollage’ to do this; however, there are many apps out there that do the same.

Step 5: Cut and lay out your batch photos so that you are ready to document.

Now you are going to start thinking about what size grid you are going to use. Whether you scrapbook in traditional or pocket pages, grids can work for both. Keep in mind that down the road you can use flaps or hidden tags to add more photos later. You can also double up the amount of photos and use both sides of the pocket/traditional page – this applies when you are making a “sandwich”.

Step 6: Got a story to tell? Journal everything and slide it in between the double layout as an insert.

On photo heavy days, your story telling is lengthy as well. As such, ideally type your journaling. That’s because depending how large your journaling will dictate the size of your insert and whether or not it’s back to back. By typing, you don’t feel limited to the amount of space in a box.

Step 7: Embellish. Or don’t. You do you.

Now you’ve actually got a double page layout with photos and you’ve even told a story. Here’s the fun part, embellish. Lately, I enjoy the clean and simple.

Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your creative process!

Cathy

December of Memories 2021: Tips for Photo-Heavy Days