We’ve created a definitive list of top tips to help you create a photobook that’ll keep your summer holiday memories vibrant and alive for years to come…

Packing, planning or unpacking?

If you’re unpacking already it’s a little too late for photography tips, but for those of you still desperately looking for your sandals here are a few ideas to keep in mind:

1. Photos of tickets, train stations, airports and sign posts are perfect for dividing up the design of your book. These pictures can work as perfect ‘chapter titles’, so don’t forget to take out the camera at these often missed moments.
2. Everyone takes photos of the beach and local architecture, but the local people, customs and food are often forgotten key aspects of any holiday. Take photos of your favourite exotic dish, that bizarre desert and the local people that really made your holiday special to you.
3. Make sure you pass the camera around between each of you during the holiday. Nothing’s worse than coming back and realising you’re not in any of the photos because you were the one taking them every time!
4. Just as important as the point above is remembering that you don’t need someone from your group in every photo. Try and get an even mix between scenic shots and photos with yourselves in to keep it varied and interesting.
5. When you come to take the big ‘landmark’ photos, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, Birmingham’s Sea Life Centre, why not and try taking them from a different angle to the standard postcard position? With a little imagination you can add your own spin to these classic scenes.

Design Time

Now you’re back, you’ve just about got all the sand out of your shoes and your shoulders are already peeling – it’s time to think about how to whip all your holiday snaps into a fantastic layout:

1. First of all scan through all your photos to find THE photo, the one that defines you holiday in a single shot. This will be the one that instantly gets you giggling, swooning or booking a return flight, either way you’ll recognise it pretty fast. Once you’ve got it, that’s your cover image. Simply finish it off with a title in a topical font and the dates of your trip.
2. As well as using your photos of tickets and sign posts to divide up your book you can signpost new sections by switching to a new layout theme. Keeping your layouts consistent within these sections will give your design a professional feel plus a sense of progression through the story of your holiday.
3. While we’re talking about layouts, don’t forget to leave yourself room to add text. You may remember the names of people and places now, but by adding them to your design you can ensure their future posterity. You don’t need to stick to simple title and dates either, try writing little descriptive section to important photos: add a back story, some notes on how you felt at that exact moment for you to relive in years to come.
4. Remember that you don’t need to use every photo that you’ve taken. It’s much better have one massive photo that really shows off a scene rather than trying to fit in several smaller, similar photos. Fantastic or definitive shots should be given pride of place as full page or double page backgrounds – the clearer the shot, the clearer the memory!
5. If you’ve come back to find that you’ve forgotten an all important landmark shot or that you’d quite fancy an impossible arial overview to finish off your book – don’t worry! You can find lots of high resolution photos online on sites like Locr and Flickr, just make sure you make note of any copyright or royalty information.
6. For extra ideas and inspiration flick through our fantastic online example books. There’s everything from Cuban getaways to snowy Lapland adventures. Click here to see our examples.