How to Create a Family Album That Will Last for Generations

We all know the importance of preserving memories. We snap photos at every important event, from birthday parties to movie nights. We post them to Facebook, sharing our memories with loved ones near and far.

But beyond the memories stored on our smartphones, tucked away in our pockets, how many of us actually take the time to create family photo albums?

One study estimates that only about 2% of all photos make it off of our phones and onto our walls, and 86% of us admit to having precious photo albums that we never actually look at.

In the age of convenience, it's easy to see why creating and looking at photo albums is a habit that's gone by the wayside. With everything now in a digital format, it just doesn't make sense to lug around heavy photo albums wherever we go.

But there is a solution that can help you get the best of both worlds. No longer do you need to choose between convenience and longevity. With online photo albums like EarlyBird, you can have the best of both worlds. Your photos will be memorialized and honored in the way they deserve - but you don't have to worry about yellowing pages or faded prints.

In this post, we'll tell you how to create a family album that will last for generations. 

Why Should You Make a Family Album?

For millennia, families have bonded, laughed, and cried over tangible memories - albums filled with cherished snapshots of meaningful lives being lived. But in an age where most memories are made and stored digitally, the art of creating a family album has taken a backseat.

Why should you take the time out of your already busy schedule to do this?

First, family albums help keep bonds alive. They're like time machines, transporting you back to the moments you lived, or the moments lived by your ancestors. In the vast ocean of pixels that is the Internet, there's something different and deeply comforting about holding a picture of your great-grandmother or seeing a sepia-toned image of your parents' wedding day.

A photo album is also a visual legacy that tells the unique story of your bloodline. Just imagine your own grandchildren leafing through its pages, learning about their roots - the triumphs, the quirks, the love,a dn the lessons. In some sense, a family album is a history book - one where your children are both the participants in that history as well as the readers.

Perhaps most importantly, our stories influence who we are, and who we become. 

If we're able to preserve memories and family stories in an album, we're giving our children a valuable gift. That gift? A compass that helps them develop their own identity. 

Multiple studies have proven that preserving family memories helps children learn about their family's values and the traditions they uphold - as well as the narratives that inspire them. We all need to have that connection to the past, and a family photo album can help create it. 

How Do I Make a Family History Album?

Now that you know the importance of making a family album, you might be wondering how to actually make one. There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this, as preserving collective memory is an innate art form that caters to the meticulous, the creative, and the storytellers within us - and each of us will embrace that art form in different ways. 

What we all need to know, however, is that crafting a lasting family album requires a blend of patience, innovation, and intentionality.

Start by doing some good planning. Just as a house needs a blueprint, your family album needs a plan. Consider what you'd like to include, the time frames, and the overarching story you want it to tell. Perhaps you want to focus on a decade, a generation, or a specific family line.

Next, gather your "artifacts." For most people, these will be photos. If you're using a digital photo album, like EarlyBird, you can also add in videos. If you opt for a more traditional paper album, you might choose to add things like dried flowers, letters, newspaper clippings, and any other objects that tell a story to add another sensory dimension to your album.

The beauty of starting your album digitally, however, is that it allows you to play with layouts and designs. It's also a great way to involve other family members, too.

Remember, when you're creating your family album, it's about quality - not quantity. Be selective and mindful about what you choose to include. Each item in your album should have a story worth telling. 

Unique Ideas for Your Family Album

The best albums are the ones that speak to your family's unique story. With that in mind, here are some creative and practical ideas to help make your family album truly shine. 

1. Organize Everything 

First and foremost, organization is your best friend. Chronological order is a logical choice, but you could also organize it by family units or events.

2. Label With Dates and Names

Avoid the "who, what, where" amnesia. The day that photo was taken might stand out crisply in your mind now, but it likely won't fifteen years from now.

Every item in your album should be labeled with a date and the names of the people involved. This transforms a picture into a history lesson.

3. Write Out Your Family's Story

Candid captions or stories told alongside the photographs bring your album to life. Consider including anecdotes or details about the time and place.

4. Consider Adding Videos 

Incorporating videos adds a dynamic element to your album. QR codes linked to family videos can bring a photo to life with sound and motion.

5. Use a Template or Go Off Script

Album templates provide structure, but don't be afraid to depart from the standard. Every family's story is unique, and your album should reflect that.

6. Consider A Theme 

Themed albums can be a fun way to focus the narrative. You might have albums for family reunions, a vacation, or the first year of each child's life.

7. Save Back-Ups 

Digital back-ups can prevent the loss of precious memories. Cloud storage options or multiple copies on different drives can ensure that your album transcends accidents and time.

8. Don't Be Afraid to Collaborate

Reach out to other family members for stories, photographs, and memorabilia. This makes the album a collective effort, just like your family's history.

9. Use Them as Gifts

A family album is a deeply personal and meaningful gift for milestone events. It's a present that carries the past into the future, and one that will be cherished for years to come.

10. Revisit Them Often 

Creating an album is just the beginning. Regularly revisiting and adding to it allows the story to stay alive and current.

This may sound like an exhaustive project, and that's because it is. But the best things in life often are. The time and love you pour into this project will pay dividends in the form of a treasured family relic.

Get Started With EarlyBird

If you're ready to turn your intention into action, consider using the EarlyBird app. EarlyBird streamlines the process of creating your family album - making digital organization, collaboration, and printing simple. 

Its user-friendly interface and intuitive design options will help you put a personal touch on the pages - and because it's so easy to use, your designs will always be on point. 

There's nothing standing between you and a breathtaking photo album that will be cherished for generations to come. 

Start today, and watch as your family's story unfolds in ways you never imagined possible.