This time of year can be wonderful, with all the giving, the
family and friends, and the delicious food. It can also be extremely hard
as we realize that the year has come to an end, our resolutions have not been
met. Whether you wanted to lose thirty pounds or have $20,000 in the
bank, often times we come up short handed.
New Year’s
resolutions are meant to be productive. The purpose of them is to help us be
happier or better off in some way during the coming 12 months. While they
have a bad reputation for being pointless or unrealistic, they can be attainable
and very healthy when the reacher understands their limits and capabilities.
Now I
know what you are thinking, "Why is a blog about photography, technology,
family, and preserving memories talking about New “Year's resolutions?!"
Well fear not- I am getting there. Here we will talk about New
Year's resolutions you should make this year concerning your film, photos, and
memories!
1- Convert your memories to digital. Isn't
it about time? I can't stress it enough- the longer your old movie films
reels, photos, videos, and other types of film sit in storage, the worse off
they are. They can become damaged by mold, unforeseeable events,
children, being lost, etc. When you digitize your old film, you gain
freedom to do what you want with our memories. Film is tangible and can
be ruined in an instant. Digital will last forever.
2- Sign up for a cloud service on which to store
all your converted film. This will enable you to view and share your
memories anytime, anywhere with anyone you choose to. Some vendors
include Dropbox, SugarSync, and Google Drive. Cloud services are also
awesome because they help back up your files and images in the event that your
computer crashes, or something else unfortunate happens.
3- Make a digital photo book of the previous
year. It is truly like a personal yearbook for you and your family. Not
only are they super cute, but they are very reasonably priced as well.
The quality and look of them will go with any decor, and they are so fun
to show to guests. My favorite photo book companies include Shutterfly, Picaboo,
and Paper Coterie. You could also purchase digital scrapbooks software
allowing you to do the same, but also enabling you to make entire scrapbooks to
keep on your computer as well.
4- Get crafty with your photos! Make a
goal to be better at displaying your favorite photos in unique ways. One
look that I love is that of photos modge-podged onto stained or painted pieces
of wood. This look goes great with a traditional style home and adds a
lot of warmth to the environment. Another idea would be to transfer your
family's past photos onto canvas or fabric and make drapes or curtains out of
them. What a statement piece! Great for a modern or eclectic home.
5- Learn how to take better pictures by
educating yourself in photography. There are classes you can physically
take, or even courses online. We can talk all day about what you can do
with past photos, but you also need to make sure you are doing the best you can
with current happenings, and making sure you are documenting your life's
greater moments regularly. Knowing how to take better pictures will heighten
the emotional response to your photos, and make them more pleasing to the eye.
Now you
have a great place to start when it comes to planning your New Year's
resolutions. Photos and memories are irreplaceable, and these suggestions will
help you make the most of them.
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