Do you have a family member who is approaching a milestone birthday? Perhaps you have a relative who has a compelling story that you’d like to document in book form. Or maybe you have a loved one who has passed away and you’d like to celebrate their life.
Consider creating a tribute album to honor that special person in your life. A tribute album is a wonderful way to celebrate a life so that the photos and stories will live on for generations to come! You don’t need all the photos from their life…the highlights and the stories are the important thing!
Last fall I created an album for a client for her Mother’s 80th birthday. Family members and close friends wrote letters about their treasured memories and included photos of special times. Designing the album, I was often taken by the emotion that each person put into their letter. My client’s mother obviously lived a wonderful life and was well loved!
My favorite project ever was a Military Memoir I created using PhotoBook Press. If you are looking to create a special album, I can’t say enough about this company! Their customer service and quality is second to none.
This album chronicled a WWII airman, and includes everything from his personal military documentation; to letters home; to photos, medals, and newspaper clippings; to his POW diaries. It’s truly a piece of history! One of the great things about creating projects like this digitally is that we were able to print multiple copies for family members. Had it been created as a traditional scrapbook, we would have only been able to create one copy.
The cover has a brown “bomber jacket” leather finish and a custom dog tags foil stamp, fitting for a book about this military hero.
Inside I added custom end papers with the American flag to give the album a more finished look. The album also had a sewn binding.
Here are a few pages from the album as well.
Click on the link to take a look at the Military Memoir in its entirety.
Did this give you an idea for a special album you’d like to create?
Lisa Newlin
Sunday 19th of May 2013
I wish I had more of my grandpa's stuff, as I would LOVE to make one of these. I miss him and would love to honor his memory with this type of stuff, as he and I were quite close. This actually made me teary eyed, especially since he was a WWII vet as well.
Excellent work on the album. I love the dog tags and I wouldn't have thought to include the marriage license, but I love that too. :-)
Michelle Nahom
Monday 20th of May 2013
Thanks Lisa! Its such a piece of history. You could probably find information on some of the genealogy sites out there if you ever wanted to try to make one. Someone commented above that they had done that!!
Liz Who Motivates
Friday 17th of May 2013
A great suggestion for those times you want to do something a little more special and be more creative in the gift making department
Michelle Nahom
Monday 20th of May 2013
It's definitely a treasure for future generations! I have plans to make some of these for my own family.
Wendy Bottrell
Thursday 16th of May 2013
Nice way to remember the special events. Thanks for the great idea. Best Regards, Wendy
Michelle Nahom
Monday 20th of May 2013
Glad you enjoyed the idea!
Melissa
Wednesday 15th of May 2013
I love the idea! I always have the best intentions of doing a tribute album, but I started making photo books once my son was born and it seems to be a better route for me (something that I can actually finish on time!).
Michelle Nahom
Monday 20th of May 2013
Your son will really treasure those books someday!!
Hope
Wednesday 15th of May 2013
What a great tribute. In stead of photo albums, I've been making photo books for years. Some to keep and others to give as gifts, but none quite like this. I love how the memoir captures a little bit of everything and not just pictures. Very nice.
Michelle Nahom
Monday 20th of May 2013
It turned out to be a really special project! I have some other ones in mind for my own family!