Tuesday, February 28, 2012

It's only a few days until the month of March is here. I've slowed my work down for the year to make time to prepare for a new baby & to accomplish some personal family projects that I haven't made time for otherwise. 


One of the projects I've just completed is the Christening Album of my son, Liam. It only took me over a year to make time to sit down and go through all of the photos and design the layout for this album. But...FINALLY! Yes!


I wanted Liam to have a special album that he could show his own children someday - one that would have photos of both sides of his family together. The day of his Christening was the closest I came to getting as many of our family members together for a special & meaningful occasion centered around him.(We were sad to still have missed some family.)


Since I would be with Liam for the entire ceremony, I needed a photographer with knowledge of how to get around the dim lighting situation of St. Mary's Church while capturing moments of us & his Godparents during his baptism. I hired Jennifer Higham Photography to document the occasion. Jennifer's images were very important to me and she did a fantastic job of covering the ceremony.(Thank you, Jennifer! Beautiful work!) Of course, I still ran around Liam's event before & after the ceremony with my own camera to get the opportunity shots that I saw. Over half of the images in this album are my own candids of our families. I am relieved to have had Jennifer's creative eye cover the event so that I could relax and enjoy... and combine her pictures with mine for Liam's album. 


So, after a week or so of designing while Liam's been sleeping, it's done! The 10x10 cover's premium leather is as soft as a velvety leather jacket. (I wish internet allowed you to virtually reach your hand into the photograph to feel it!) It's engraved with Liam's full name. 


(A little family tidbit: Liam was named after both of his Grandfathers, William & Joseph. We didn't want to give him the same exact name of William Finnegan, so we shortened 'William' it to the Irish version- Liam. (Very fitting with the very Irish last name of 'Finnegan'.) We had no idea how popular his first name would be until we started meeting many other Liam's out and about. We're glad many others like the name too!) 


So, the album is remarkably durable and beautiful. I opted for a pearl finish on the pages. Lay flat binding is my favorite. I just love it! Here are some details of the binding & finish:




(above layouts sample) Liam-during-ceremony and cake image are by Jennifer Higham Photography

 
 (above layouts sample) Godparents, 2-color-candid-shots & cake slice image are by Jennifer Higham Photography
I'm hoping that Liam will appreciate this book someday when he is older and I hope he'll enjoy looking through it!