Pixiq

Sometimes a free book offer can turn out to be very expensive. Here is the story.

Shutterfly sent me an email offer for a free 8x8 inch hardcover photo book. I knew from past offers that I need to pay shipping costs, which are high, but are consistent.

I am experienced using Shutterfly's custom path to create quality photo books. Everything went smoothly, given the inherent annoyances that lurk within all companies' photo book online creation software wizards.

My photos from this summer's remarkable Oregon low-tide adventures, posted here at Pixiq, were the content for my photo book. Using only the best 20 images led to one photo per page, including a few captions, with Shutterfly's Modern Black theme.

Ordering and checkout were effortless using the promo code I received in the original email message. Yesterday I received email notification that my book was printed and shipped. Shutterfly is efficient in the fulfillment department.

So far so good.

My wife, not yet a Shutterfly customer, also received the same promo offer. She chose over 30 photos from the rest of our summer vacation in Oregon, California, and Colorado. I volunteered to prepare her book, again using the Modern Black custom path theme.

I spent two hours placing and captioning the photos, mostly multiples per page. She hated the result. In her mind this second book was to be as elegant and beautiful as the low tide book. Multi-photo pages ruined her imagined view of the final printed version.

I spent another hour removing many photos from the draft second book. She still hated it. The photos, as a visual narrative, were not strong and artistic enough.

It was enjoyable to spend three hours reliving the vacation through photos, but this second book was not going to be completed by the next day's deadline on the free offer. I can't get Shutterfly to reimburse me for the three hours lost.

Were they lost? What did I gain from the experience? Not all photo projects succeed, just like not all life's project succeed. My wife and I remained calm and cheerful during the process. My photo editing and visual story telling skills improved incrementally.

When something isn't going well, take a break and return to it later. Your unconscious mind will continue to process behind the scenes. Building blocks for future successes will assemble, unseen, in your cranium. Your visual storytelling skills will develop along with your picture taking prowess.

Time is the most precious commodity we have, after health and relationships. Don't sell yourself short with expensive use of your free time.