A special book for Dad

Father’s day is fast approaching.  Have you got anything special for your dad yet?  If not then this is your chance to do so.  Download the free KoodibooK software , select your favourite photos of your Dad and within minutes you will be making your own personalised photo book for your Dad. It is very easy to make and affordable too. Create and order your special Father’s Day photo book by June 10 2011 in order to receive it on time for Father’s Day.

On 19th June, dont forget to let your father know how important he is to you.  Join our mailing list to receive our Father’s day offer.

KoodibooK is about preserving and sharing your memories in a unique way while giving you the best possible experience with photobook creation.  The KoodibooK software allows you to access your photos at amazing speed from wherever they are stored and use them to create photobooks that can be previewed in 3-D, published online for free and printed professionally.

It’s World Heritage Day today. We were reminded when a photographer Henry Stradford shared some world heritage sites visited by Ramesh Lalwani  here. KoodibooK is located in Bath which happens to be a world heritage city. There is a great compilation of photos of Bath here! Have you visited any world heritage cities? Tell us about them. If you have photos then do post them on our Facebook page.

At KoodibooK we are passionate about photography. We provide an easy and quick way to organise photos into high quality photo books at great value.

Many people consider their wedding day one of if not the most important day of their life and as such hire a professional wedding photographer for this special occasion. This article however is for the guests at weddings (Royal wedding or otherwise) who may want to remember this occasion by looking at photos, and giving some of their shots as gifts to the married couple. If you are a guest or relative wanting to capture a happy couple’s special day in a unique way then here are some tips and tricks.

1. Plan and Prep: Planning and preparing yourself before the wedding can help you perform better on the day.

(2 months before)

• Ask the bride if she wouldn’t mind you photographing her wedding.
• Does she have a professional photographer? if yes, you need to make sure not to interfere.
• Show her a list of potential shots and ask her which she would allow you to take.

(1 week or so before the wedding)

• Ask for an itenary of the days events.
• Find out if you can take photos at the location and if you can use flash.
• Check that your camera and equipment is in good working order.  

(On the day)

• Make sure you have: extra film, extra batteries, extra camera(s), a helping hand, a tripod,  a watch, directions and the schedule.
• Have a list of potential shots handy to make sure you don’t miss any.
• Arrive early to photograph things like the empty venue or the flowers arriving etc.

 2. Divide and Conquer: There are more shots to take than one person can usually manage alone.  Sharing the task means you can relax a little and will be more likely to capture every moment.

• A friend can take notes, hold stuff like extra cameras, shoot along side you or from another vantage point, and help find and organize group shots for you.
• If you don’t have a friend with you, buy disposable cameras to place on reception tables for guests to take photos then collect them at the end of the day.
• Write down e-mail addresses of people also taking photos to swap pictures. 

3. Placement and Direction: Most times as long as you’re giving clear and polite instructions people will happily ablige.

• Anticipate spots where things will happen and position yourself before a crowd forms.
• If necessary call out specific people and give specific instructions (something like a crooked tie or piece of spinach in the brides teeth can and will steal the show in a group shot)
• For formal shots make sure you let them know when you’re about to snap the shot.
• Move around.  Later you will be glad you took several similar shots but from slightly different angles.

4. The Perfect Shots: Perfect shots are the ones that look both beautiful and natural.  They capture key moments in the day like the couple’s vows or first dance.  Consider all the elements to increase your chances of taking lots of these.

• If you think you’ve missed something important like the perfect shot of the cake cutting, you could ask the couple if they’ll do it again.
• If you know the guests and families personally, you will have a special advantage as a photographer.  Try and capture people in their natural looks, if they are goofy and outgoing make sure to get those pictures of them dancing! 
• Take lots of pictures or use bursts.  This will give you several photos of the same thing taken fractions of a second apart.  This could be the difference between a blinking bride and the perfect shot.

 5. The Special and Artistic Extras:  After the perfect shots come the special extra shots that capture the feel of the day without being completely necessary.  These include artistic shots and fun candid shots.  Some of the most beautiful pictures from weddings are of things, places, and people who have some sentimental significance to the couple.  Everything from the flowers to the vicar should be thought of as potential material.

• Think about the bride and groom and consider setting up shots that show off their personalities.
• Keep an eye out for cute children and good lighting as both usually perform well in wedding photography.
• Consider the opposite shot to the obvious shots (if you shoot a photo of the bride and groom from behind the vicar, consider having your friend shoot one from the organ loft). 

Here a few examples for shots that will help.  Create your own list depending on the type of wedding you’re photographing and of course how close you are to the couple.

Shots before the Ceremony

• Wedding gown lying over a chair or hanging on a door
• A close up of the bride’s shoes peeking out from under the dress
• Bridesmaids shoes in a row
• Grooms men dressed and posing

At the ceremony:

• Guests walking into the venue
• Groom seeing bride for first time
• Close up of  couples hands
• Guests throwing confetti/rose petals/birdseed

During the Reception

• Outside the reception venue
• Arrival of the Bride & Groom
• Table centrepieces
• Musicians or DJ

Have fun photographing at your next wedding! View some great examples of wedding photobooks at the KoodibooK Library

This week has been all about snow and we couldn’t help but share this photo book filled with some great shots of the snow in Edinburgh by Gordon Plews. View the photo book here. If you are stuck at home in this weather then this book could serve as some inspiration for making the best of the weather.

KoodibooK is about preserving and sharing your memories in a unique way while giving you the best possible experience when you create a photobook.  The KoodibooK software allows you to access your photos at amazing speed from wherever they are stored and use them to create photobooks that can be previewed in 3-D, published online for free and printed professionally.

Taking photos during the holiday season is always a great idea as it means you can look back at these photos and remember the great time you had.  Here are just 6 occasions where you may want to keep your camera handy:

1. Turning on the Christmas lights: whether it is a celebrity turning on the lights in your local area or a local hero, this is always an exciting time and a great opportunity to take photos.
2. Decorating the Christmas tree: capture many photos from when the tree arrives to when all the decorations are up and the tree is lighted.
3. Visiting the Christmas market: mulled wine, nice food and decorations? Christmas markets are certainly excellent places to capture the spirit of the season.
4. First snow: We all get excited about this.  Take photos of snow covered trees, roofs, and snowmen (if there is enough snow!).
5. Parties: Everyone lets loose at parties so whether they are office parties or family parties, keep your camera handy for memorable shots.
6. Christmas day: There should be no reminders necessary to take photos on this day.  It will be a shame not to have your camera ready on Christmas day.  Photos of family and friends opening gifts as well as the huge Christmas feast will be great for remembering the day.

By the end of the season, you should have a collection of photos, which you can use to create a great photo book. Happy holidays! KoodibooK is about preserving and sharing your memories in a unique way while giving you the best possible experience with personalised photo book creation.  The KoodibooK software allows you to access your photos at amazing speed from wherever they are stored and use them to create photobooks that can be previewed in 3-D, published online for free and printed professionally.

Ho ho ho! 44 days to go and most of us have already started thinking about perfect gifts for family and friends. Gift shopping is definitely the part of the holiday season that quite a lot of us don’t look forward to. We often end up struggling in overcrowded shopping centres searching for the perfect gift only to end up with the wrong ones. If you always find yourself in the same boat every year then here is your chance to give a unique gift that is guaranteed to be appreciated.

Why not make this year extra special by creating a truly unique KoodibooK filled with fantastic memories captured on camera? A KoodibooK photo book is  easy and quick to make and with options to suit every pocket, it is very affordable too. In addition to creating a very meaningful personalised gift, you don’t have to face the crowd of holiday shoppers in malls as your KoodibooK will be delivered to your door within just a few days. So don’t get stressed with gift shopping this year when you should be relaxing and enjoying the season with mulled wine and mince pies. Create your perfect gift today!

And since it is the season of giving, sign up to our mailing list now to receive a special seasonal discount on your photobooks! Happy Holidays!

It’s the week after Halloween and most of us are a bit calmer and looking forward to some fireworks. I am sure your cameras have been over-active these last few days and captured some truly classic moments. A few weeks from now you will probably be flicking through those pictures online and reminiscing or possibly sticking them on your walls and fridges. Wouldn’t it be great to have these photos in a perfect bound book on your coffee table for a change? Your own little book of memories! With Christmas just around the corner (ok so it is still a little far off but the countdown has begun), a KoodibooK capturing your great moments is one perfect gift you can tick off your list early this year.

There is no better gift than the gift of memories, so be sure to create that KoodibooK this season!

KoodibooK is about preserving and sharing your memories in a unique way while giving you the best possible experience with photobook creation.  The KoodibooK software allows you to access your photos at amazing speed from wherever they are stored and use them to create photobooks that can be previewed in 3-D, published online for free and printed professionally.

A few days ago we decided to share some nature themed pictures. Many people got involved and it was so much fun we’ve decided to do something similar again.  Since it’s World Cup time and there are loads of footie fans out there, we thought the best thing we could do now was to compile photos of football supporters around the world.

Painted faces, flags and banners? you name it!…we’d love to see these photos.  How do you celebrate in your country, with your friends and your family?  I’m sure you have taken a few soccer photos. Share your photos with us on our facebook page and they will be KoodibooKed.  If we think your photo is super then hey you may just receive a printed copy of the compilation photobook. Get involved and spread the word!

KoodibooK is about preserving and sharing your memories in a unique way while giving you the best possible experience with photobook creation.  The KoodibooK software allows you to access your photos at amazing speed from wherever they are stored and use them to create photobooks that can be published anywhere.

Photo credit: Fans by Osrek

With everyone building momentum to the upcoming FIFA World Cup starting today, we thought we’d refresh your minds with some brilliant photos from past world cup tournaments to remind ourselves of exactly why we get so excited about this event every four years. Let’s face it; even the most soccer averse people get excited about the FIFA world cup.

1. We will start off with the Jimmy Greaves Charm at the Chile 1962 World Cup quarter-final between England and Brazil when Jimmy Greaves the much gifted England player heroically saved the day.

source: http://www.worldcupblog.org

2. Cameroon star Roger Milla 1990 doing the famous Milla Dance after scoring one of his goals.

source: http://bleacherreport.com

3. ‘The goal of the millennium’ as Maradona scores his second in the Argentina v England match

source: http://www.cbc.ca/

4. And not forgetting ‘The hand of God’!

source: www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com

5. Gymnastics anyone?  Italy v Germany 2006

source: www.randommadhouse.blogspot.com

6. Moon walk? What moonwalk? Step aside Michael Jackson…Crouch robotics is the new moonwalk.

source: www.football.co.uk

7. And last but certainly not least…

source:http://schulein.wordpress.com

Zidane’s infamous head butt. Oh yes we truly weren’t expecting that one but it happened and got captured on camera. There is never good football without drama. It adds spice to ‘the beautiful game’. Thank Goodness for such photos right? So why don’t you take us down memory lane with your favourite world cup moment?

There is always a reason to create photo books but to spur you on we have provided ideas for each month of the year. So if it’s June now and you are just thinking –  what photo book can I create this month then read on!

January - As this is the beginning of the year, why not create a compilation of photos to remember each of the previous year’s epic moments. You could have a photo of your birthday party, your holiday, new house or car, the moment your beautiful niece was born etc.

February - Month of love – This may sound cliché but oh well cliché or not this is indeed the month when most people make an extra effort with appreciating people who are dear to their heart.  A perfect time for creating a photo book that focuses on the love of your life.  And oh the love of your life could be food in which case a photo book focusing on  your favourite meals or a recipe book would be perfectly acceptable!

March - marks the beginning of spring and longer days.   There is nothing more beautiful than the spring of new life.  Pictures of sprouting plants, and flowers can make a great spring photobook.  And if you are in the United Kingdom then why not add a St Patricks day celebration photobook to your collection.

April - For the photography students this is a great month for creating a portfolio in plenty of time for printing.  If you aren’t a student and are a photographer or artist then create a portfolio this month anyway.  All others feeling left out this month why not create an Easter photobook?  Easter is usually around this period and I’m sure there will be a lot of Easter egg photos to work with.

May - Ah sunshine! There are lots of photo book ideas when there is sunshine – barbeques, beach trips, bank holiday gatherings… You name it! There is so much to choose from that you would barely need any inspiration from us this month.

June - Graduation!  If you are not graduating you may have family or friends who are.  A graduation photo book can be a great way of remembering  this special occasion. This is also the month for  appreciating our fathers.  Why not create a photobook as a father’s day gift for your dad.

July - Wimbledon?  World cup?  All these sporting events are sure to motivate you to create a sports themed photobook.  This could be a photo book of your sporting activities, your children’s sporting activities or a photobook made from the match you went to watch.  Action photos look great in a photobook.

August - The sun is still up but not for long now.  Time to create a photobook to capture the last of the summer!

September - Roald Dahl’s birth month! Perhaps a children’s story photo book?  We all know how children love picture books so why not get creative this month and make a short story photobook for them.  Fascinate your child even more by making them the main character of the book.

October - Is indeed a scary month. How about a Halloween photobook! Compile pictures of children trick or treating, the costume party you attended and all those awesome pumpkin carvings.

November - Who says you can only take great pictures when it’s sunny?  If there is snow then create a photobook of your beautifully crafted snowmen, ice-skating and snow covered plants.  If there is no snow this year then don’t fret!  You can indeed take a great photo on a rainy day.

December - The month of festivities.  We can guarantee that this is the month where cameras are put to their maximum use.  All those pictures of Christmas meals with all the trimmings, fully decorated Christmas trees, and dad dressed as Santa will make a great Christmas photobook.

If you’ve read through and are still lacking ideas, how about weddings, christening, parties, baby growth stages, gap years, pets and travel photo books.  If you have more ideas then feel free to comment below.

KoodibooK is about sharing your memories and making inspiring designs while giving you the best possible experience with photobook creation.  The KoodibooK software allows you to access your photos at amazing speed from wherever they are stored and use them to create photobooks that can be published anywhere.

Photo credit: the next captain by wishnuaditya & halloween collection by charlinet