Printing Your Memories

Did your family grow up anything like mine?

I was born in the 70s, and back then, cameras were a cherished family possession—film cameras that only came out for special occasions or holidays. Each click felt deliberate, precious, and limited. When the film roll was finally used up, my parents would head to the camera shop (later Boots or Snappy Snaps), canister in hand, eagerly anticipating the developed photos. Days later, we’d sit together as a family, flipping through the 6×4 prints of that unforgettable holiday, birthday celebration, or Christening. Of course, some photos were a write-off—someone’s eyes shut, Uncle Tom mid-directing—but even those added to the charm.

My mum, ever organized, would carefully annotate each picture and place them in albums. But not everyone was like her. Many families had a “photo drawer,” where prints were tossed, forgotten, and rarely revisited.

I passionately believe that having printed photos is a vital part of preserving memories. My kids deserve to look back on their childhood just as I can look back on mine. Each time I revisit those albums, I’m flooded with memories—joyful, bittersweet, and everything in between. They bring back the trips, milestones, and everyday moments my mum lovingly captured.

How I made printing a habit

A few years ago, I started a simple tradition. Once the New Year’s celebrations are over and the decorations are packed away, I sit down to design a family photo book. It’s my way of documenting all the memories we’ve collected over the past year in one place.

There are so many photo book companies — Photobox, Snapfish, Bonus Print, and Jessops, to name a few. Personally, I use Photobox, and they often run great deals in January.  And don’t worry — it’s not as time-consuming as it sounds.

Here’s my secret: every few months during the year, I upload the photos I’ve taken to my chosen platform. When the year ends, I simply use their auto-generate option to create a photo book. From there, I tweak the layout, captions, and colors until it feels just right.  It’s that easy!

Why it matters

Children grow up so fast. One day, they’re wearing brand new school uniform with plenty of growing room; the next, that same uniform is way too small!  Life moves at lightning speed, and I fear that if I don’t pause to capture these moments, they’ll be gone before I realize.

So this year, make a resolution…

Don’t let your memories languish on your phone or camera. Get on with printing your photos. Hold them. Relive the memories they bring. Bring your pictures into the light and into your life, where you and your loved ones can cherish them for years to come. ❤️