An example of a photobook created with the Imagine system.

Fujifilm Australia believes women will be the biggest users of its new ‘Imagine’ online photo service which allows consumers to create photo book projects in the home rather than sitting at a kiosk in store for long periods of time. 

Imagine is a membership-based, user-friendly software application which runs off any browser. Fujifilm says it’s been designed to be ‘intuitive’ and within three clicks a consumer can theoretically have the basis of a photo book project created. Fujifilm product manager for digital services, Amanda Suefong says that all you have to have to do in order to run it is download the latest version of Flash. 

The service works like many online shopping platforms, you upload the photos you have selected to a personal account that has been set up; when you are ready to order, you click on the ‘add to shopping cart’ icon; then you pay online and select either to pick up your order from the store or have it sent home to you.

Suefong says the major advantage of the online service is time. “People are creating projects like family cook books to year books; definitely time is a benefit, you can do it in the convenience of your home and when it’s convenient for you,” she said.

Baby books are a popular photo creation and no wonder, considering how great they look!

Females driving the trend
Suefong also believes the online service will be well-patronised by women for a couple of reasons: “I think what we found from our research is that women are predominately the family history keepers; they record history and are usually the ones who put these projects together.”

The other reason she believes women - in particular mothers - are driving the trend toward online photo books is that they often are accompanied by very young children in store and they cannot spend an hour or so putting one of these albums together with an irritable child in tow.

“We’ve created a platform and it has taken a life of its own. Without a doubt it is females doing these projects. We’ve seen a lot of books about baby’s first year, travel and pets,” she added.

According to Fujifilm Australia general manager, imaging networks, Paul Rogers, the company estimates more than one million photo books alone will be ordered online in 2009, with the new online capability to be an extension of Fujifilm’s retail arm.

“In addition to being able to order photo books and photo gifts in-store, consumers now also have the option to order online by navigating their way through a user-friendly menu that offers various themes and layout options,” Rogers said.

A look at the Imagine user interface.

Social network advancements
The new service also gives consumers the option to source photos uploaded onto social network accounts including Facebook, FLICKR and MySpace and import them to online photo book and photo gift creations.

Consumers are given a wide range of decorating and personalisation options with the Imagine program, using the Whitech developed application.

“For instance, consumers can personalise photo book covers, select from a range of background colours and styles, plus also determine the number of images they would like per page,” Rogers said.

“Using the large selection of designs and themes, each project can be enhanced as required by adding text in a choice of colours, selecting the font style, justifying the text, or creating a border to design an individual keepsake that is sure to impress,” he added.

Another benefit to the service is that consumers can develop projects over time, save and continue working at a later date.

There are various photo book sizes from which to choose and they range from $19.95 up to higher end books with personalised hard covers which sell for $49.95. At the moment they are available at Harvey Norman and Big W, however more retailers will be involved down the track Suefong said.

If you would like to try the Imagine photo creation system for yourself, visit www.bigwphotos.com.au or www.harveynormanphotos.com.au and start creating!