How to Create an Annual Album

There are so many moments that make up a year. There are the big moments and milestones: the birthdays, the anniversaries, the family trips, and the coveted holiday traditions. Moments that act as an important way to orient ourselves at a particular moment in time during years where the world feels like it’s flying by. And then there are the small moments: the slow morning you spent making a decadent breakfast, the dog making that face that you just can’t seem to resist, the kids getting so immersed in a game that for a moment you all start believing you really do live on a pirate ship. The small moments that slip away quickly and are often forgotten unless you remember to snap a photo. All of these moments come together to create our year — and in the end, create our life.

Creating an annual album is more than just a fun tradition — it’s how we chronicle our lives. It’s the photo album we pull out when we’re feeling nostalgic for home. It’s a way to remind us of where we’ve been and who we are. Creating an annual album is a rhythm of gratitude that honors the moments we share with the people and the places we love most.

This year, we caught up with illustrator, author and annual album expert Amanda Jane Jones to see what she does to keep this tradition alive year after year. (And trust us, she is an expert! After all, this will be her 11th consecutive year creating an annual album with Artifact Uprising!)

Amanda, why is it meaningful for you to create an annual album?

It's one of our favorite traditions. My family looks forward to it just as much as I do. It usually comes in the new year, and it's a fun reminder of all we did together. I try to photograph the day-to-day as well as the adventures, so for me, it's a beautiful way to remember all the small and simple things from the year as well as the big adventures. The cuddles and the roadtrips, washing the dishes and the visit to Disneyland. Life is so busy and moving so fast, it's a beautiful way to remember. And bonus, it makes me feel like a better mom! All of our best moments in one spot, ha!

What is your favorite part about your annual album tradition?

When everyone huddles on the couch the day it arrives to look through it together. And all the times after when they bring it to me to snuggle and look through!

The end of the year can get so busy, how do you set aside time and turn this into a ritual you look forward to every year?

I keep my photos organized in folders first by year, then by month, then by occasion. This way, when it's time to work on the book, they are ready and available! In addition, I can upload my favorites by month to dropbox, so it's not an overwhelming task.

We are really big into watching Christmas movies during the holidays. We make a big cozy pillow pallet that stays up the whole month, so usually during one or two of my lesser favorites (Santa Paws... don't tell my kids), I'll bring the laptop and work on the annual book while we watch.

How did you decide which book to use for your annual album?

I do the same one every year! I'm a creature of habit. Once I find a shirt I like, I get it in three colors. I've had the same haircut for five years, and same goes for my Artifact Uprising year-end books. I love that the styles have stayed consistent over the past decade (!!!) so I can continue the tradition. I'm a sucker for the 8.25x11 Hardcover Photo Book’s linen cover in smoke. I don't keep the paper covers. I love the simple look of the fabric. The grey is timeless! For special trips, we've used the Layflat Album and have loved those as well.

Thinking of making an annual album? Follow Amanda’s steps to make it an exciting and beautiful tradition to ring in the new year:

1. Throughout the year, add your favorite photos to a folder or album and categorize them by month or special occasion. This way, when it’s time to put your album together, all you have to do is upload the folder and auto-fill a book in chronological order.


2. Pick a book size and color you love that feels timeless to you and your style. This makes it easy to repeat every year so that one day you can have a big stack of annual albums you’re excited to display on your shelf.


3. Once the holiday rush has calmed down, find a quiet moment to create the book on your couch surrounded by family while they work on a puzzle or watch a movie. This will help make the tradition feel relaxed and fun and less like a chore.


4. Make delivery day an annual celebration. Make a snack, gather everyone in your favorite cozy spot, and reminisce together on the year that’s just passed and dream about the year that lies ahead.