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2012 Cover Series

My previous cover examples all feature one photograph.  In this cover design, I am featuring one photograph of each of my children.  However to tie them together, the two photographs have something in common – sunglasses.  They are wearing the same sunglasses and I thought it was really cute, not only of my little girl wearing her glasses…but also big brother!  This is a great tip for you as you begin thinking about your cover.  Perhaps it is a couple of photographs of your kids doing a similar activity.  Or it could be a from a similar season – ie two photographs from the summer time.

Another thing to keep in mind when using two photographs on the cover is the scale of the subject.  This particular example could be improved, my son’s face fills the frame a little more than my daughters, but you will notice they are both head shots.  If you have a full body shot of one kid, it is a good idea to include a full body shot of the other.  It ties them together.  Of course there are exceptions, but starting out, it is a good idea to keep things similar!

Finally, for the title of the book, I decided to use a phrase or question.  If there is something that really ties to the photograph on the cover or something that you or one of your kids likes to say, this would make a perfect cover title.

[divider] If you love this example or gives you some ideas for your photo book, pin it!

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2012 Cover Series

For this photo book cover, I am incorporating the two shades of dark gray with a black and white photograph.  This gives the cover a stately simplicity that would perfectly set up a modern photo book.  For the interior of the book, the same dark gray with light gray font could act as the section pages, dividing the custom photo book into months, seasons, or events!

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2012 Cover Series | custom photo book

Here is a very simple cover idea for a photo book for your child.  It pulls a dominant color from the photograph and creates a band at the bottom for the text.  You can use your child’s name or nickname to personalize it even further.  Selecting a font that you love or that really sums up the personality of your child really adds to the cover.

[divider] Do you love this cover idea?  Make sure you pin it!

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Color! Design Tutorial

Here is the next entry in the Book This Project Color Series!

Here are six color options to pair with a photograph in a landscape size photo book.  Submit your photograph to info[at]bookthisproject.com and I will prepare a color profile for you!

Let me know in the comments below, which one is your favorite?

[divider]Here is the original photograph from yesterday’s wordless wednesday post:

[divider] the colors:

[divider] A free download of the color values are located here:

 

The House That _____ Built

I am super excited to share with you the final installment Book This Project ebook launch!

The House the __________ Built

I love this idea!  I adapted the concept from R. Caldecott’s “The House that Jack Built” and customized it to fit our family including my son’s favorite things for a personalized book.

This concept is incredibly easy to customize for your family.  Upon purchase, a questionnaire and upload form will be emailed to you.   Once you upload the photographs of your “characters,” I will pull it all together in a beautiful, easy-to-use ebook or pdf.

Photographs and narratives do not have to be known before you purchase.  I will walk you through all the steps and provide suggestions!

The main point is to create a cumulative tale that describes the fun family members and toys that live in your household.

 

Here is the text from my final “page”:

This is the phone that buzzed in the morn,

That woke up daddy not shaven or shorn,

Who kissed mommy in her pj’s worn,

Who fed Lydia all forlorn,

Who loved the elephant with the big, loud horn,

Who startled the bear,

Who pushed the fire truck,

That carried the cheese,

That Lay in the House that Alden Built!

 

 

This video illustrates how it all comes together!

 

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Again, for any of the ebooks that have been launched, you do not have to have the photos and text ready.  I will work with you to customize your book!

Even though this concludes the official launch of ebooks, I will continue to release new book and ebook ideas, so make sure you check out the website, facebook, and newsletter!

 

* R. Caldecott “The House that Jack Built” published in 1878 is in the public domain.

 

Color! Design Tutorial

COLOR!  It is so important in design and can add so much to your photo book layouts.  I have decided to start a new monthly series that examines the impact color has on layouts.  I will take a photograph – or a group of photographs – and run through a series of different design layouts – exploring color, type, size, orientation, and proportion.

First, to start off this series, I want to mention the beautiful and inspiring site: Design Seeds.  If you are not familiar with them, I hope you will check out their site, facebook page or pin boards.  This site examines the rich color groups found within evocative photographs.  If you are ever in a color rut or looking for color inspiration, you should check out their work!

Photo

[divider] Layouts

[divider]Get a free download listing the colors used in this series (RGB and CMYK) – here!

[divider] Would you like one of your photographs featured in this series?  Email me your photograph and I will let you know when your photo will appear.

I hope this gets your creative juices flowing!

And if you love any of these, share this post on your facebook page or pin your favorite(s)!