4 Ways To Tell A Story With A Layflat Album

With its unique layout that allows pages to remain completely flat when the book is open, it is no wonder more and more people are turning to layflat albums for a variety of uses including baby photos, anniversaries, and even portfolios.

Every person and every event has a story, and a photo book recounts that from start to finish. As such, having one is great for commemorating important memories. However, curating a cohesive photo book is meticulous work, and after having selected and edited your photos, you might feel stumped on how to proceed. We have compiled a list of tips for you to get started with your layflat album.

Getting The Right Fit

Before you get creative with your designs, here are some important details you should first decide upon.

• Paper Type- You can decide between matte or glossy pages. Each yields a different effect. It is recommended to stick to one type throughout the photobook for consistency.
• Image Quality- It is best to use original, high-resolution photos. For photographs downloaded from the internet, you might face limitations on image size for printing before it begins to appear pixelated.
• Protect Your Photo Book- As a time capsule of memories, the photo book is something you will want to last for a long time. Having a protective cover would significantly increase its lifespan, protecting it from environmental elements like sunlight and dust.

Telling A Story with Layflats

1. Pick A Template

Every page does not have to be unique. In fact, sticking to 2-5 page templates and alternating between those for the entire photo book could be better, as it will be less messy aesthetically.

The most common templates people like to use are:

• Two photos placed side-by-side
• A single, large photo
• A collage of 3 or more photos
• A symmetrical grid 

2. Set A Narrative

Set a storyline and plan how you want to recount the story. A popular choice would be to do it chronologically, featuring the flow of events from beginning to end.

But if you are not planning to follow a timeline, you can categorize them by:

• Theme (eg. portrait/landscape photos or by color)
• Stories (eg. Photos of your children swimming on one page and photos of your children at a theme park on another page) 

3. Add Photos and Text

Once the details of steps 1 and 2 have been decided, you can now start putting in content. We recommend kicking things off with your most memorable photo(s) on your first page. This can serve as the setting of the story and theme and will draw people in immediately.

Other than photos, you can feel free to include text as well. Text can include milestone dates, song lyrics, or quotes.

4. Include Other Visuals

To make your photo book look more vibrant, you can download or scan some artwork and prints to add to your album. If you would like to give it a more personal touch, you can also add in your doodles and drawings!