Do more with your photos than share them on Facebook.

By KATE HUNTER

Did you know that more than ten per cent of ALL photographs ever taken were snapped in the last twelve months? That’s what digital has done. But do more photos mean more memories?

When I was growing up, Dad had an Olympus SLR camera that he, and only he, was allowed to touch. We were constantly reminded of the cost of film and the expense of processing and printing. Every family snap was staged and styled– sunglasses off, drinks down, hair out of eyes, smile HARD. God forbid we should squander that precious frame of film.

Consequently, we have few family photos from my childhood, and the ones we do have are all pretty much identical – we’re lined up in rows, squinting into the sun, with hair slicked down by parental spit. Nevertheless, those photos are treasured, and stand in small frames on sideboards and desks – cherished memories of picnics past.

Today our hard drives are choking on files, and it’s easy to see why. Here’s an example: A couple of days in the snow in July this year resulted in no fewer than 500 photos. They were taken on 2 digital cameras, an iPhone and a Blackberry. My 6 year old thinks nothing of taking a couple of dozen selfies on my phone (just imagine if I’d done that with Dad’s Olympus).

We also had a professional photographer take a few snaps, just in case none of the hundreds we took was unworthy of a frame. Good thing we did, because it’s the only picture that has, in fact, made it into print. The rest are languishing on hard drives – memories in waiting.

I find myself in a sticky situation at this point. I’ve always been a little judgemental about families who line the walls of their home and office with massive portraits of themselves and their kids. These portraits are often in black and white and everyone is wearing jeans and white shirts as popularised by Princess Diana’s favourite photographer Mario Testino.  And because the photographer offers thirty-canvases-for-the-price-of-six, families end up with wall to wall family photos, so every time you go to the loo you end up being stared at by a toddler in a white polo. If you ask me (not that you did) it’s a little creepy.

Arguably worse than the ‘family gallery’, is sending the bonus canvases to friends and family as gifts. Not that they wouldn’t want to see your posse all scrubbed up, but then there’s an obligation to hang it somewhere prominent. That means sacrificing wall space. That means awkwardness when other family members wonder why the hell you haven’t got a portrait of their kids hanging in the dining room.

The solution is to create a photo book or a calendar, even cards. Lovely to look at, easy to store, tough to accidentally delete.

Before you stop reading, thinking this is some kind of craft activity involved parents do with their kids, or a dodgy album you cobble together at a kiosk in a shop, have a look at momento.com.au/mamamia

These are some of the items you can create.

After you download the software, you find your folder of photos, drag and drop them into a template, get creative with titles and embellishments then upload the file to Momento’s website and place your order.

Momento photobooks and stationery are made in Australia and look and feel like the fancy-shmancy items they are. Yummy thick paper, sturdy stitched binding, and a fabulous choice of cover options including leather.

Without wanting to freak you out, there’s only 8 WEEKS until Christmas, so now’s the time to order.  Photobook orders close on December 7, and stationery orders close December 13. Go to www.momento.com.au/mamamia use the discount code MOMENTONOW and receive a $25 gift voucher. 

Momento is Australia’s first and most awarded photobook and photo stationery printer. Their free and flexible software lets anyone create personalised books, cards, calendars or diaries filled with their own photos, making them perfect for gifts and keepsakes. Their range of sizes, papers and covers allow products to be made for all styles and budgets, and all products are handcrafted in Sydney, by printing and binding experts using the best materials and strictest quality checks. To view the full product range and download the software visit www.momento.com.au/mamamia.

This post is sponsored by Momento. Comments on this post are just for this post. If you want to talk about the IDEA of sponsored posts or the choice of advertisers please click here. We will be reading all those comments too for feedback.

How do you share and enjoy your photos? Do they ever make it off the hard drive?