By: Jillian Miller - 06-28-2010 - (0) Comments - Interactive

Burning Memory
I recently got back from a 10-day vacation where my husband and I traveled up the CA and OR coast. We saw so many beautiful things including Napa Valley, the Redwood Forests, Oregon beaches, and the cities of Portland and Seattle. I’m known to be a bit camera-happy and this trip only proved that true. I took over 700 pictures, yes, 700! See, the problem is that I have a terrible memory. When it comes to traveling, I realize it is inevitable that my adventures will fade away if I don’t do something about it. So, I found a solution: I take a picture. Instead of leaving the views to my faulty memory, I’ll snap a picture to be forever burned into my 1”x1” memory card. Finally, something I can trust.

The Perfect Solution: Fotobooks
So, what am I to do with these digital memories now? How should I share them with friends and family … Post them and send out a link? Facebook? Both are alright options I suppose, but I remember the days growing up when my parents would create tangible photo books of our trips and have people over to flip through the pictures, or bring them up to NY when we visited family. I sort of like that old-school sharing methodology, it makes them, well … special. So naturally I was thrilled when I discovered this new Facebook application called Fotobooks. It’s a perfect way to share your photos in today’s technological-savvy world if you want to go above and beyond links.

The App
I usually upload all my pictures to Facebook, however, I’ve always been frustrated that I have to upload them to a different site, like Kodak or Snapfish, in order to create a book or get prints for scrapbooking. Fotobooks solves both these needs. It’s a Facebook application that lets me create my own little printed booklet of photos directly from my FB album. So, I’m already ½ way there after I’ve uploaded my pics (perfect for lazy me). Not only is it a fun and easy-to-use application, but the booklets are super cool looking with fun themes and designs to choose from (see images above), a durable/water-resistance cover and the perfect “throw-it-in-my-purse/pocket-to-share” size…not to mention they’re inexpensive at only $6 a pop (which includes shipping).

Gifts? Check!
They make a fantastic gift, too. I knew that my grandma in NY would love to see some pictures from our trip so, I made her a Fotobook. In 5 minutes I designed it, and then they printed it and delivered it right to her mailbox . Sort of like a really awesome postcard. So great! I made one for my in-laws, my parents and my friend in NY too. It was perfect—quick and fun to do. And receiving them made them all feel special, they loved it! Even if they want to discard it after looking at it, no biggie; it’s cheap enough to do so, and all my pictures are still saved digitally on FB. I’m also planning on making some as stocking stuffers this year and keepsake gifts for my friends from our girls weekend in NYC. With the risk of sounding cheesy here, the possibilities really are endless.

Check it out for yourself: www.fotobooks.com, or http://apps.facebook.com/fotobooks/?ref=ts. Finally, a cool and fun-to-use application that makes photos special again, and not so…well, electronic. Seems as though I’m not the only one loving this new app either, take a look at their wall on FB.

Happy Fotobooking everyone!