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Photo Book Inspiration and Tips

November 10, 2013

This is not, strictly speaking, a DIY project because I didn’t print the book myself, however I did wade through thousands of photos (and “developed” them) in the midst of packing out of Jakarta. I also did the layout myself using iPhoto. It wasn’t an easy task because, as many of you expats can attest, moving is not easy. Many evenings were spent going through Terabytes of photos to choose, develop and layout the best ones and stuff into a 56 page photo book. I won’t deny it, there were a few melt-downs because some nights I was so tired, I just wanted to sleep instead of slaving away on a computer.

It was worth the effort though, because this photo book was one of “the things that reminded me of home” tucked in my check in baggage. My husband’s former boss, Ma’am T, told me I should have a picture frame or something to remind me of home in my luggage (the shipment will come a month or two later and the first few months are the toughest in any move). I thought this was wonderful advice! Throughout the move to Berlin, whenever I was cold or homesick, I would look through this photo book and all the best memories of the past 4 years would flood through my mind and make me smile. This past week, it’s been getting extra cold and this book has already been opened once or twice to bring the glorious sunshine of Asia into my living room – if only in my mind – so I wanted to share this project with you. 

the diplomatic wife adorama photobook-002

it might be a bit funny to hear that this photo book of our 4 years of travel during our Jakarta Post is something that reminds me of home. Jakarta was my very first home with my husband and travel to the different ASEAN countries and islands of Indonesia was intrinsic to our life at post. There was even one year where we practically spent half of each month living off our suitcases. Sometimes getting back to Jakarta only for a night, only to fly out again the next morning. Isn’t the advent of budget airlines a wonderful thing?

the diplomatic wife adorama photobook-004 the diplomatic wife adorama photobook-003

The photo I used for the cover is one of the very first photos I took with my then-new DSLR camera. It was a stroke of luck really and I snapped it up while we were on a crazy becak (tricycle) convoy with other diplomats going on a wild goose-chase for art around Yogyakarta.  It won 2nd place in a photography contest in Jakarta and was published in Elle Magazine Indonesia. I thought it would make a great cover for the photo book on travel.

the diplomatic wife adorama photobook-001

I think doing this photo book at the end of out Indonesian Post is a great way to remember all the best experiences (Kecak dance with the setting sun as the back drop and the magnificent Borobudur Temple), all the friends we made and even the most memorable meals and finds between 2009 to 2013 – the length of our first posting. There are even photos of our most memorable foodgasms: Babi Merah in Medan, Sambal Butter Corn in Bali, Belgian Chicken in Yogyakarta and giant prawns in Yangon.

PHOTO BOOK TIPS:

  • Personally I like “developing” photos before publishing them online or printing them out. Photographers do this so it’s not cheating haha. This is not the same as editing. Developing means adjusting contrast, light, highlights, shadows, colour temperature, etc. I use a free app called Picasa for this because I find it is so simple and idiot-proof and I get beautiful results. I tried other software but most are a bit complicated for me and they can look good on the app, but when I upload to the web, they can look different.
  • Once I’ve saved and chosen the pictures that I liked, I imported them to a folder in iPhoto. Putting them in one folder is important so it’s easy to find all the photos you need for the book in one location.
  • Create a New Book
    • Make sure you selected the folder containing all the photos
    • Go to iPHOTO DOCK (on top) > FILE > NEW BOOK > Create a book with enough pages to fit all your photos
    • Select the theme you want. I used PICTURE BOOK because I like the simple and modern design.
    • Click and drag photos to the pages and position you want. Play around with the different options on the left hand side:
      • Background colour
      • Layout – how many photos in each page (1-16 photos)
      • Text font, color, etc.
    • Save and export your book to PDF format.
    • Save this into a USB
    • And bring to a printer that does photo books
  • You can also choose all the photos you like, save to a USB in a good resolution, then bring to the printer and do the layout with their staff. In Jakarta though, I thought it would be stressful for me to do this because I don’t know how to speak Bahasa very well. Doing lay-out also takes a long time and you would have to pay extra for the service so I decided to do it myself.

WHERE TO GET YOUR PHOTO BOOK PRINTED:

Click on the links below to get more information or find specific prices and/or locations.

JAKARTA. There are many places to do this in Jakarta, but I chose to do this book in Adorama in Kemang, because they speak relatively good English in this particular branch. And they were having a 40% discount promo on photo books. Instead of paying  around USD 80 for a 56 page photo book, I ended up paying less than USD 50. The book is hardbound, A4 size, 56 pages and the pages are thick with a matte finish. You can get cheaper options with thinner paper and soft-cover, but I want mine to last a long while and go with me as I travel the world so I spent a bit more.

Adorma in Kemang:

  • 17, Jl. Kemang Raya
  • Tel. 719 2002

PHILIPPINES. In the Philippines, the same quality hardbound picture book (I got a thick kind of paper) would cost around PHP 2000 for 32 pages from picturebook.ph. They deliver nationwide.

INTERNATIONAL. This same hardbound book in the same 11 x 8″ size from Apple would cost me an estimate of USD 95 to order from Berlin. This would include shipping and Tax. Their hardbound books start at USD 30 for 20 pages.  Click here to see the options available from Apple.

BERLIN. I’ve seen Photo Welt kiosks in Rossman and it seems pretty reasonable. I have yet to muster up the courage to explore this option because my German isn’t that great yet, but these are their hard cover options:

  • CLASSIC 20 € + VAT + Delivery for 24 pages
  •  PREMIUM 27 € + VAT + Delivery for 26 pages

And it’s a great alternative to ordering directly from Apple. I would love to have to try it. I am currently finishing my JAKARTA TIMES photo book. These are photos of experiences in Jakarta itself between 2009 to 2013. I started doing it during pack out but I just couldn’t finish it. I decided that one book made during pack out was an achievement in itself so I shouldn’t put too much pressure on myself to finish the second book. This is the perfect excuse to try Apple or of Rossman Photo Welt!

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I hope this inspires you to create a photo book! Have you ever done a photo book before? What experience did you capture? Other tips and printer referrals would also be appreciated. I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!

1 Comment · Diplo Mama, Diplo Tips

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    November 13, 2013 at 4:35 AM

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Welcome

Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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GOOD TO KNOW GUIDE

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @UNDIPLOMATICWIFE

HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport? We are very lucky th HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport?

We are very lucky that the Geneva Airport is very near because it is located 4 km northwest of the city centre. It takes us less than 15mins by car & is easier to get to than airports outside the city.

BUT also means that many of the Geneva residents suffer from AIRCRAFT NOISE POLLUTION. 

In some parts of Geneva, like Vernier, Meyrin, Bellevue, Versoix, etc will have the airplane pass on top of you or very near you. This is something to consider when you are MOVING TO GENEVA & looking for a home.

When we were in @bioparcgeneve recently, it felt like airplane after airplane was going overhead every few mins. The poor animals were screaming each time.

A  report by the European Environment Agency(EEA) in 2017 said that 12% or 73,500 Geneva residents have their hearing disturbed by aircraft noise. Probably the figures have risen with the natural increase population & travel?

“The EEA describes noise as a pervasive pollutant that directly affects the health and well-being of humans and wildlife. Populations exposed to high noise levels can exhibit stress reactions, sleep-stage changes, and clinical symptoms like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. All of these can contribute to premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons that humans exposed to noise levels above 40 decibels at night experience adverse health effects.

Across Europe it is estimated that noise contributed to at least 900,000 additional cases of hypertension in 2011.” - @le_news_ch 

DID YOU KNOW that owners of homes affected by the noise can request for soundproofing to be paid for by GVA? 

Check if your home meets the conditions for FREE SOUNDPROOFING c/o Genève Aéroport here:

https://www.gva.ch/en/Site/Geneve-Aeroport/Questions-Reponses-FAQ/Bruit#

SAVE or SHARE this now with someone you know who might be moving to Geneva or is already suffering from aircraft #noisepollution. 

#UDWinGeneva #UDWgenevagoodtoknow #expatingeneva #diplofamily #expatlife #genevaswitzerland #expatingeneva #filipinoingeneva #pinoyingeneva #movingtogeneva #movingtoswitzerland #movingtogeneva #genevaexpats #switzerlandexpatlife #geneva #genevaswitzerland
MERCADONA HAUL Whenever we go to Spain, we love t MERCADONA HAUL

Whenever we go to Spain, we love to go to @mercadona. It might be small but has a good affordable selection. It’s my thrifty Spanish MIL’s favorite.

We were so lucky that we had a @mercadona right beside our hotel Marina Badalona. Very convenient.
Our favorite things to bring home are:

☕️ frozen porras (bigger than churros)

🐑 baby lamb chops (the only lamb I eat coz it’s not malangsa & all you need to do is fry till crispy in olive oil with S&P) it’s called Chuletas Cabrito but TD calls it lechal 

🐽 chicharon or crispy pork rinds

🥔 Homemade potato chips. The best potato chips for me are from Spain. I don’t know how it’s so much yummier! The olive oil???

🎣 canned Sardines & tuna for me and Yaya B

TIPS:

🧊 For frozen items, we usually ask the hotel before we buy if they can put it in their freezer until we fly.

✍️ I usually bring different sizes ZIPLOCK BAGS, MASKING TAPE & MARKER when we travel so we can put everything in, label with our name and room number.

📸 then I take a photo so we can just show it to the staff and they can easily find it in their freezer.

✈️ When it’s time to pack, I placed our beach towels around the frozen packages coz I know they will SWEAT & I don’t want our other things to get wet 💦 

What  grocery do you usually like to shop for when in Spain? Where do you buy them?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries #udwtraveltips #udwtraveltip #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW C FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW Calisthenics Park 

📍Chem. des Tuileries 140, 1293 Bellevue

After the lovely BIOPARC we headed across to this chill park with ample PARKING that had so many things for kids & anyone who wants to move & work out:

⚽️ The kids wanted to kick around a football so we borrowed a ball from @boxup.app (they also have pumps, 🏓, 🏐, 🏀, etc) just download the app & turn on your Bluetooth & follow instructions! Return after 3hrs.

👟 Outdoor gym - this was a huge hit with the kids

⚽️ football - this too!

🏀 basketball court

🏓 Ping-pong 

🏐 Beach volleyball court

🤸🏻 Monkey bars

🛝 small playground

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon guys @lidia_otilia_botezatu! 
How lucky are we to have these beautiful, clean open spaces. And the free rental gear is AMAZING! so convenient.

This is in Geneva, about 15mins drive from where we live.

SAVE THIS on your list of PARKS to visit!

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. It’s not as close as the bioparc but bring earplugs/earphones if you are sensitive.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
BIOPARC GENÈVE Yesterday was a holiday in Switze BIOPARC GENÈVE

Yesterday was a holiday in Switzerland (except for Geneva). It was raining & miserable so I wanted to take @diplobaby out for a few hours. Thankfully midafternoon it stopped raining.

We met with our friends @lidia_otilia_botezatu in @bioparcgeneve and had a lovely time in this volunteer run zoo.

TIPS💡

🆓 It’s free for families on your FIRST visit!

🦢 you walk inside animal enclosures so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/stepping on poop. We wore boots & happy we did

🅿️ there’s parking inside on wood chips, if it’s full there’s another pavement parking (free up to 4hrs) across the roundabout 

🦔 Do not feed or touch the animals no matter how cute they are

🗺️ There are 2 routes (purple & blue) and 1-1.5hrs #diplshould be enough 

❎ Park closes at 4pm

SAVE THIS NOW if your looking for a fun & not too you can do in well und2hrs. It’s nice that you can go inside unlike most zoos so it’s quite unique.

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. @diplobaby who is super noise sensitive did not mind as much as I thought he would because he was so entertained by the animals.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
MARINA BADALONA HOTEL At first we were going to MARINA BADALONA HOTEL 

At first we were going to stay in the heart of Barcelona, where we stayed 8 years ago (I didn’t even know that @diplobaby was already in my tummy at 2 weeks old) but the “hotel” is now expensive with no amenities & small rooms. So TD found a hotel in #badalona - a 20min taxi ride from Barcelona city center - that was so fabulous & slightly less expensive.

SAVE THIS NOW for future trips to Barcelona

WHY I LOVED marinabadalona
🤍 All white interiors was so beautiful & calming
🤍 Gorgeous view of the Marina 
🤍 Everything was so aesthetic, even where you tap your card to enter the room
🤍 Massive bed
🤍 Electric curtains
🤍 Lots of closet space & hangers
🤍 2 TVs
🤍 Refrigerator
🤍 White/cream Nespresso & kettle
🤍 Architecture & interior design is sooooo me!
🤍 Small rooftop pool with unbelievable views (need to do a separate post)
🤍 5min walk to the beach
🤍 Gorg esplanade
🤍 Yummy restos beside
🤍 Mercadona right beside - so convenient!

FEW RECOS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
✌️ Loved the textured wall paper, but it’s difficult to keep clean inside the bathroom
✌️ The bathroom surface area was a bit small & our stuff kept falling off the sink
✌️ Not a single chair in the family room so when we had room service we had to eat standing
✌️ No salt & pepper with room service so we called to ask & were told we would be charged for them taking it up. After TD clarified that there was no S&P with our meal, they said they would bring it up. The person brought a small bowl of of salt & pepper combined. The salt was for DiploBaby’s salmon, but he can’t eat pepper, I wanted both for my pesto. Had to run down in my slippers & the resto staff were very apologetic coz who serves a mixed S&P ever? They gave me individually packaged ones which I really appreciated.
✌️ Since the hotel has a pool & is by the beach, I wish there was a place to hang & dry swim suits. Our suits & watershoes did not dry in the tub.

All in all the value we got from staying in this hotel was so high compared to a more expensive hotel in Barcelona. No hotel stay is perfect.

Now, would I stay there again? YES PLEASE! Would you?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries
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