Last summer, my grandparents took our whole family on an extra special trip to Southern California where we spent a few days at Disneyland and then had some time at a rental house near the beach. It was one of those weeks that you talk about for months in advance and remember for the rest of your life because it was so exciting for all parties involved! Then we got home and I had an e-course to write and the rest of the summer to entertain three kids. Somehow I got all of the photos uploaded to my computer and edited but then didn't get them all posted in this space so they sat in a file somewhere waiting for some attention.
Fast forward to this summer and the opportunity to create a photo book with Snapfish of our summer adventures. I knew right away what images I wanted to get printed out in book form for my kids to flip through and relive.
Since my photos were already edited and in one folder, all I had to do was upload them onto the Snapfish site and arrange them accordingly. I loved that I could import photos and save my project without having to start from scratch the two times I was needed to get someone a snack or clean up a mess. I also enjoyed the freedom to create a custom template in order to create the style of book that would feel timeless and let the photos speak for themselves.
The new site was easy to navigate with easy-to-use tools that let me place photos in the storyline that made the most sense but I also like that there is an autofill option for times when I don't want to have to make all of those decisions. If I ever do an Instagram album for a specific year, I think it would make that project feel much less overwhelming!
I also love that the new site allows you to upload photos directly from Instagram via your smartphone because removing obstacles to get photos out of the cloud and into a printed format means my kids will still get to hold their memories in their hands. Also, Christmas gifts!
I opened the package as soon as it arrived and was impressed with the quality of the prints and the feel of the pages as I flipped through it. It was really special to get to show the kids and watch them remember details about the trip they had forgotten. I loved watching Ruby linger over the pages with pictures of her in them and could see those memory wheels turning.
I'm thinking about getting that lifeguard stand image printed into a large format poster print or a canvas print for our home. It's such an iconic SoCal image and this California girl needs a little bit of that in her Midwestern space!
Also, I vote we go back to that gorgeous Spanish-style house again!
Here's the exciting part! Snapfish is offering TWO lucky Smile and Wave readers their very own 11" x 14" Premium Layflat Hardcover Photo Book!
To enter to win:
* Share what kind of images you'd include in your Premium Layflat Hardcover Photo Book!
A winner will be chosen and shared at the end of this post by Sep 19th. Sorry, open to US residents only.
Also, check out their Snapfish Superfans program if you want a way to earn credits by sharing with your friends and family. It's a great place to check out what other bloggers are making with Snapfish products like this super fun printed photo pillow DIY by Rachel of The Crafted Life!
EDITED: CONGRATULATIONS to Tracey Tilley and Kirsten Young! I'll be e-mailing you both shortly to connect you with Snapfish! Thanks to everyone else that entered to win!
-Rachel
P.S. This post was created in partnership with Snapfish. All opinions are my own and reflect upon my extremely positive experience with their product.