TLDR: exploring ways to keep memories alive and out of the bottom of camera rolls.

Keeping memories

Where do your photos and memories get stored and do you ever look back? ­­

If you are anything like me, there is this a big love for taking photos of all the little things that inspire you in life, events to remember and beautiful places. Just capture the moments. 

** I do try to take the camera away and be in the moment more these days but that is another post **

I got thinking about this the other day when I gave a birthday card to a dear friend, with a thoughtful message. And that’s when it dawned on me: all the cards that we receive where do they go, how long do we keep the sentiments? 

digital scrapbook 

I have been creating a digital collage of memories for 2 years now as a means to record these memories in a more wholesome/holistic way rather than just photos that are left to gather digital dust in the bottom of the camera roll. This method allows me to arrange images and write notes words to help to tell a story; this snapshot of my life. Capturing the memories and evidence of all the creative projects that I do, family outings holidays and just day-to-day and beautiful sunsets. 

The app I use to create the layouts is Procreate on the iPad and I will sit on the train to work creating a layout every 2 weeks, or so. I am sure that there are specific apps that are purpose-built for scrapbooking, I just find that I have a great flow with Procreate. 

I have created a base artwork that I paste all the images on top of. The dimensions are 364 mm by 257 mm which is two B5 pages side-by-side. It has a line down the centre to mimic an open spread book and the dot journal pattern that fills the pages. I find the dots help keep my writing and annotating in the journal to the correct scale. Though, It takes a bit of practice to get it right. 

Once the layouts are complete, I will export the image and add it to my computer desktop images folder – my computer will then cycle through the images every couple of hours and I get reminded of the good times. I find that being reminded of all things beautiful in my life helps for when I am feeling down; it lifts me and helps to re-align my identity.

The takeaway // photo journal methods

Whichever way you like to compile the images of your memories, don’t forget to capture the great moments and create a space where you can be reminded of all the good things life has to offer. 

I have added my template for Procreate 

CHANGELOG

Date	Changes
2023-06-19	Added hand drawn image and reformatted blog