Safely Save Fragile Kids' Art with Artkive Photo Uploads

You've received your Artkive Box and you're eager tackle that bin full of art projects for kids. It's finally time to transform all those scribble drawings, finger paintings, and kids' crafts into a keepsake art book. But how should you manage items that won’t fit or aren’t safe to ship? Oversized posters, fragile clay sculptures, glass-framed drawings – those pieces that sadly don't travel well.

Fortunately, you can still include every one of them in your Artkive book. In this guide, we’ll show you how to photograph large or delicate items and upload them to your Artkive account. This way you're able to preserve every one of your child’s creations.

Identify Artwork That Shouldn't Go in the Box

Start by pulling out the items that are better kept at home and digitized by photo. Common examples include:

• Oversized or bulky projects: Anything too large or heavy to fit in the Artkive Box. Some examples include giant posters that can't be rolled or folded, as well as hefty 3D crafts. Instead of trying to squeeze these in, set them aside for photo upload.
  

• Fragile pieces: e.g., art made of glass, art framed in glass, delicate clay or ceramic figures, antique porcelain items, items that contain liquids. These are breakable materials that could easily crack during shipping. For everyone's safety, Artkive specifically asks that you don't send glass.
  

• Precious originals: If an item is especially sentimental or valuable - don't ship it, snap it!. By taking a photo of that piece, you can include it in the book while keeping the original safe at home.

Setting these special items aside now lets you plan to photograph them. This way, your child’s collection – no matter how large, fragile, or priceless – can all be part of the Artkive project without risk.

Artkive Tips for Photographing Kids Art Like a Pro!

You don't need professional photography gear to get good photos. Use these tips to capture clear images that will look great in your artwork book:

Find Your Light: Even the pros know, good lighting is essential. Set up in a bright, evenly lit spot; natural daylight is best. Try to find space near a window, but avoid harsh direct sun that causes dark shadows. Also, turn off your camera flash to prevent glare.'

Neutral background: Place the artwork against a clean, neutral background so the focus stays on the art. A solid white wall or a large piece of poster board works great to eliminate distractions behind the piece.

Shoot straight & steady: Hold your camera so you're aiming straight at the artwork. For flat pieces, shoot directly above or head-on if you are able to place it flesh against a wall; this prevents distortion. For 3D items, step back and shoot at a slight angle to show depth. Keep the camera steady to avoid blur. PRO TIP: If shooting on a smartphone, tap the artwork on the screen to focus before you snap the picture.

Avoid reflections: If the art is under glass or glossy plastic, take it out of the frame or sleeve to avoid reflections. Make sure you capture the entire piece in the photo (nothing cut off). Be careful not to cast your own shadow on the art. Take a couple of shots and choose the best one.

After snapping a few photos, check them on a larger screen if possible. Make sure each image looks sharp, bright, and true to the artwork's colors. If anything is dark or blurry, add more light or adjust your position and try again. Remember, your at-home photos might not be as perfect as studio shots, so good lighting and focus are extra important.

Here are some additional lighting examples to guide your setup:

Uploading Photos to Your Artkive Account

Now that you have the photos, it's time to send them to Artkive digitally. Upon ordering your box, Artkive will automatically set up an account using the same email address. You have the option to upload your photos before or during the book proofing stage. Here's how to upload those images:

1. Log in to your Artkive account: Visit Artkive’s website or open the Artkive app. Log in with the email you used for your order. (If it's your first time, set up your password via the welcome email.)
   

2. Upload the artwork photos: In your account, find the option to add or upload photos. Select the image files of your artwork and upload them. You can add titles or notes to each photo if you like (e.g. "Science Fair poster, 5th grade").
   

3. Add them to your book project: Whether you upload the photos before or after receiving your book proof, those images will be included in your book. If you upload before we design your book, our team will incorporate the images into the layout. If you wait until you're reviewing the digital proof, you can use Artkive's editor to insert the new images and place them where desired in the layout. Either way, your uploaded pictures will appear in the final book.

Need a Visual Aid?? Watch this Guided Tutorial to see how to add your at-home photos.

How To Add At-Home Photos Before Book Approval

How To Add At-Home Photos During Approval

No Art Left Behind: Enjoy a Complete Artkive Book of Your Child's Creations

By photographing and uploading those tricky pieces, you'll end up with a truly complete collection of your child's art. The finished memory book will showcase all the projects that matter, even the special ones that couldn't make the journey.

When you receive your digital book proof from Artkive, double-check that all your uploaded images are there and look great. Keep in mind, you can make minor adjustments in the editor, such as cropping or brightness. If you have other questions or ways in which you need assistance, let our team know. We want your children's art book to be a perfect preservation of all their special artwork.

With these simple steps, you don't have to leave out any treasured pieces. You can keep those precious originals safely at home, yet still celebrate them in the printed book. In the end, you'll have one of the most meaningful keepsake books imaginable.

A gorgeous Artkive book filled with your child's one-of-a-kind art.