Today is a banner day at Inkubook: The very first issue of the Inkblotter, our monthly newsletter, spread its wings and made its way out into the world. We’re excited to start sharing news and ideas with our friends.

September 2008 Inkblotter

So, what kinds of things do we cover in the newsletter? Well, typically you’ll find some ideas and reasons for creating photo books in the upcoming month. For example, September includes Grandparents’ Day, which you probably have heard of, and it’s also Better Breakfast Month. Who knew such a thing existed?

We’ll also mention newly added features of the site. If you’re a regular follower of the blog, you already know about this month’s feature because it’s the photo-editing toolbar. From time to time we might highlight a book that was created by one of our Inkubook friends because we’re constantly amazed at the creative and innovative ideas people have for making photo books.

Last but not least, newsletters will include a special offer or promotion for the month. I’m not going to fully tip our hand and tell you what this month’s offer is because you really should see the newsletter for yourself to find out what other information is in there. So, if you’re not someone who’s already received the newsletter, join Inkubook by September 3 and we’ll send you the September issue. We know that Labor Day weekend can be a busy time, so if you don’t have time to join between now and September 3 but do join later in the month you’ll be on the list to receive the October issue.

A Sailboat

I have a secret. Deep down inside I long to develop the talent for taking truly magnificent pictures. Privately I’m not happy with the occasional lucky shot that looks really good. I want the majority of my pictures to look great, so when I have a few minutes here and there I try to practice.
I have a point-and-shoot camera, but I’ve discovered that most models offer a lot of the kinds of features you find on a dSLR camera. The thing is, most of us just pull the camera out of the box and start firing away. So I’ve thoroughly read my camera’s user manual and I’ve bought a couple photography books. I try out the tips I read when I have a chance,  and this often happens on weekends we spend at the lake. You see, when we get away from home for a short break, I can forget that there are bathrooms to be cleaned and clothes to be ironed, so I don’t feel guilty for goofing off with the camera for awhile.

Kids Tubing

Besides, the lake offers lots of opportunities for photos. First, there’s lots of different kinds of boats on the lake, from tiny little fishing boats to sailboats to a cabin cruiser or two. There’s also lots of activity going on at the lake, what with all the skiiers and tubers. Lastly, there are animals and plants galore, which gives me a chance to really try to figure out how photographers do “fancy stuff,” such as get the background of a picture to be fuzzy while the foreground is sharp and clear (an effect called bokeh). For this post, I would have liked to have shared a picture of Roger, the five-legged grasshopper who hitched a ride on our boat last week, but my photographic skills failed me when I tried to get a picture of him. Fortunately, I managed to get a few other good photos, and at the end of the summer we’ll have enough to make a nice photo book about the time we spent at the lake.

An Attempt at Bokeh

Guestbooks have traditionally been used for weddings, but they can also be used for bridal and baby showers, and graduation, anniversary and retirement parties. Most guestbooks are purchased at greeting card stores or party outlets and often have padded covers that say “Guestbook.” Most are nothing but plain pages filled with lines for guests to fill in. They’re nice, but impersonal. There’s just not much pizazz to them.

With photo book applications, you can custom make a guestbook for yourself or your guest of honor. In advance of the event, ask invitees to send you photos of themselves with the honorees or provide you with short, typed stories. Both photos and text can be imported into a photo book application. Choose a great photo for the cover and enter the event name and date. You can even try to coordinate colors with the event’s theme. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can scan the invitation or other key mementos to place as images the book. If you have ideas but not a whole lot of design ability, many applications provide templates and backgrounds with text and lines for the “signing” pages of a guest book. When you rev up a guestbook with a little customization, it will become something much more treasured than a traditional, off-the-shelf book of signatures.

Photo of the bride and groom in their customized guestbook.

The end of summer and start of autumn provide many opportunities to venture out to your state or county fair or festival or farmer’s market. Many are free to attend and the hours spent there are fun for the whole family. Best of all, there are many photo ops to be found among the food and foliage, music and rides.

Milking an artificial cow at the state fair.

Preserve the look on your little one’s face the first time he or she saw an eggplant or rode a pony or milked an artificial cow. Consider a nice panoramic photo of the mile-long row of concession stands or the midway lights dazzling in the night sky. One trip to your local Oktoberfest or town hospital’s health and safety fair might not provide a book’s worth of images, but the photos you take will make a great addition to the year’s family photo book.

During my 20s and early 30s I’ve attended, hosted and been the honoree at many a bridal and baby shower. Some were co-ed; most were for just the ladies. Some were at interesting locations; many were at homes. What I’ve noticed to be a constant across all is the lack of photos that capture anyone other than the bride or mother-to-be. Granted, the guest of honor is most important and there should be pictures of her. But in 5, 10 or more years wouldn’t it be nice if the honoree could refer back to these special times and actually see pictures of those who attended – her family and friends. Therefore, I have seven great tips for the next time you host a shower. Or, if you’re just attending and you’re a control freak like me, you can offer to complete these duties for the hostess:

1. Designate someone to be the event photographer; give them your camera to ensure you get the images or film in a timely fashion.
2. Take a picture of each guest either individually or in small groups so that everyone in attendance is captured.
3. Get a picture of the honoree with the really important people in her life – mother, grandmother, MIL, best friend and you, the shower host(s).
4. Don’t forget to make sure the “photographer” ends up in at least one photo.
5. Take some shots of the party environment – décor, location, cake (see pic below), pile of gifts
6. Be prepared with fresh batteries and a clean memory card or new film.
7. Make a photo book (http://inkubook.com/wedding/Default.aspx) of the event for the honoree. She’ll be too busy with the impending wedding or baby arrival to do it for herself.