Some Superheroes Don’t Wear Capes

A special “Happy Father’s Day” to Mitchel L. of Beachwood, Ohio. Mitchel has been raising his kids on his own since he lost his wife.  He shared his inspirational book and story with us a couple of years ago.  Since then, making memory books for his kids has become an on-going, yearly tradition.

Q&A with Mitchel L.

Tell us how you got started on your photo book projects.

My wife passed away eight years ago. I’ve been raising our four kids. Life is busy enough with 4 kids that I found myself taking fewer and fewer pictures each year. We had basically “the same” events and trips every year.  And, with a digital camera, I never bothered to print the photos.

Two years ago, I decided to make a book for my parents for the holidays.  I am SO glad I did it!

It was the beginning of a new tradition.  Not only do we have these incredible BOOKS for our family, but knowing that I will be creating them makes me want to take more pictures, and — even more important — think of more things to do with the family.

What do you like best about making Picaboo books?

Over the past few years I have become more of an expert at creating my own layouts & using my own photos as backgrounds. I order four extra books — one for each kid to have when they grow up.  I also order one for myself as well as one for each of the grandparents  They love to share the books with friends — everyone looks forward to seeing them!

I am incredibly proud of this years book! I am now going back and creating books from earlier years.

Do you have any Father’s Day plans?

Nope!  We just relax around the house.  That is usually the day I try to do nothing at all except be with the kids.

Do you have one tip that you think other dads creating photo books should know?

I have my kids conditioned to know that whenever we do something, they have to pose and smile first.  :)  At the end of the year, they love looking at the books and they know they will have the books forever.  So… now they don’t mind all of the “wait….smile!”

Are you currently working on a book? If so, what’s the inspiration?

I always tell myself that I will make end-of-the-year books as we go, but that never happens.  We had a b’nai mitzvah for my oldest two children instead of a large party.  I took my son’s friends to a water park, and I am taking my daughter’s friends on a small weekend trip.  That book will be my next project.

Highlights from the rest of Mitchel’s book:

Do you have a Father’s Day project that you’d like to share with the rest of the Picaboo community?  Or, do you have a story to share? Tell Us Your Story