The first step in creating a photo book is gathering up available photos. Take the time to move all photos being considered for publishing into the same file folder on your computer. This will make it easier to find and sort them.
Determine the theme or purpose of your photo book. Is it going to be a gift for someone special, a commercial book for resale or a family collection? It is possible to make your own coffee table photo book if that is what you wish to do.
Choose a general layout that fits your purpose and the photo styles and colors.
There are several options when it comes to publishing your photo book. Some department stores offer this option in their photo departments. Many websites make it easy to publish a photo book online.
Local publishing requires much the same time and attention as utilizing an online company. You will need to transfer your photos to a flash drive or disk if they aren't on a memory card already. Most photo book kiosks feature a touch screen that leads you step-by-step through the process. This option is cost effective if you are seeking to publish only one book.
Online or Internet-based photo publishing companies tend to be more cost effective if you need more than one copy of your photo book. They also tend to offer more choices in layout and cover design (see Resources below).
For best results, narrow your choices down to three publishers and compare them. Look for a finished product style that you like and that fits your product. Compare price options also.
Once you know how many copies you need, how many photos the book will contain and a general idea of what you want of the book's appearance, it's time to start the actual process.
If you've chosen to publish a single book at a local photo kiosk, you'll find help readily available from store employees.
Online photo book publishers often require that you sign up (free) to access the website. Some offer free software that you can download, create your photo book then upload the completed product for publication. If you've chosen to publish a photo book with a publisher that provides software, download it and get busy.
Carefully follow all instructions. Be sure to choose a cover style, type of paper and type of binding. Use the preview screen to see if what you envisioned is what you are getting. Only when you are satisfied should you click that final button.