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

Last Wednesday we announced that we were going to have some fun observing NANPA’s 5th annual nature photography day. The team have been very busy today taking photos and I must say we have some very interesting photos!

If you are a NANPA member and haven’t submitted any photos yet you still have until midnight today to do so here. It’s not a competition and all submissions from members will be published in the North American  nature photography association newsletter. Remember photos must be taken today!

As promised, here are a few photos taken today by various members of the KoodibooK team. The first is Chris’ nature photo

Jason’s idea of a nature themed photo was a plastic lion so we sent him back to take a real nature photo

Richard’s nature photo from his back garden….

I’m sure cycling to work gave Adam an advantage

Simon clearly put a lot of effort into this one…

And here’s a sheep from Phil

And finally, check out these spiders from my back garden!

So what nature photos did you take today? Share a few with us here and we will compile all the photos into a photobook to be published on koodibook.com.

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?

Every year for the last 4 years, the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) encourages members  from all continents to take a nature shot on the 15^th of June for publication in their July/August bi-monthly newsletter. NANPA Members can submit one nature photo as long as it is taken on June 15^th within walking distance of wherever they are on the day.

We at KoodibooK thought we’d have some fun and take some nature photographs wherever we are on that day. It would be interesting to see how creative we can get with finding nature scenes to capture around us. Join the fun! Take some nature photos on June 15th and share them with us here, friends and family. It does not have to be a perfect nature scene. As long as it has a nature theme it’s fine.

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: Eleanor Bull & Ben Marder

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

As most parents know, getting a photo of your children that you can proudly display on your desk at work can sometimes feel like an impossible feat.

Before you give up on trying, consider these few tips to enable you to capture your little bundles of joy without inducing tears or tantrums.

Tip 1: Camera Casual

If your children seem to freeze or strike ridiculous poses every time you take out a camera then start by making them feel more comfortable around your camera.  Try carrying your camera around always or better yet ask your child to carry it for you (shock proof cameras are good for this).  As your camera becomes a normal part of you and your children’s lives, start taking a few shots a day.  You can increase the number of shots per day as they become more used to being photographed.

Tip 2: Let them decide

A child’s discomfort in a photo can ruin an otherwise great shot.  One of the best ways to ensure that you have their whole-hearted cooperation is to negotiate with them.  Agree that if they follow your instructions for some “fancy” photos (desk-worthy) you’ll shoot some just the way they want.  Let them choose exactly what they want to wear and do.

While allowing your kids to choose how they want some of their photos to be taken may seem like a silly idea, they can occasionally yield some truly heart-warming shots.  At the very least they provide some dynamite photos to show at their wedding someday. Either way, compromising with kids when taking their picture is a win-win situation.

Tip 3: Make it a fun experience

Photo taking does not need to seem like a chore for your kids. Depending on the ages of your kids, taking turns as the photographer is a great way for them to have fun while you get exactly what you want.  Snap photos of them and in turn show them what to do when it’s their turn. Children also learn a lot about following instructions through this.

Once you’ve shot an agreed number of photos, hand them the camera and remind them what to do.  Don’t forget to act as compliant with your photographer as you’d like them to be for you. Children often exaggerate the tone or attitude of their photographer when it’s their turn. In the process you may even learn a thing or two about how they perceive you.   Allowing children to take a turn as the photographer will usually make them more willing to take direction when it’s your turn to photograph.

Tip 4: Natural is the way to go

If your children often get fussy when being photographed, then this may be because they are doing or wearing something that makes them feel uncomfortable (could be a frilly dress or a contrived pose). Children do not like being fake and let’s face it, forced posed photos are less appealing. Snap photos of them when they are in their natural and comfortable state. It is the self-awareness that can actually induce the tantrums and panic.

Tip 5: Capture the Little Moments

Many parents get discouraged when they can’t get their kids to look and act like perfect little people.  If you’re one of these parents then we’ve got news for you. Savour their spirit, and capture it (muddy faces, angry pouts, those are the things you’ll miss).  One of the reasons we want to capture our children’s lives in photos more than our own is because they make us laugh and drive us crazy all at once.  These are the pictures that portray who they really are and this is what you should be trying to capture.

KoodibooK is about sharing your memories and making inspiring designs while giving you the best possible experience with photobook creation.  The Free photobook 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: ALANIS by Mailgomad, Dustin & Makayla by xCrimsonregret and Kids by lAliusl