With the power to instantly bring back your fondest memories and transport you through time, flipping through the pages of a custom photo book is a profound experience. It’s even more special when you share that experience with others.
You don’t need to wait until you receive your printed photo book to share the enjoyment. Instead, invite friends and family to collaborate on a photo book project with you.
Collaborating through Mixbook, you and as many as 30 friends or family members can reflect, share creative ideas, and strengthen your bonds—one picture at a time. Plus, our built-in collaboration tools let you decide what kind of involvement others have in co-creating your project. These range from just viewing your book to full editing access in Mixbook Studio™.
Learn how you can share the fun of photo books with our comprehensive guide to co-creating with friends, family, or co-workers.
What does it mean to collaborate on a photo book?
Mixbook’s collaboration features are multi-functional and versatile, so collaborating on a photo book will be somewhat different for everyone. However, it’s basically giving others access to your photo book project within the Mixbook platform. Depending on the permissions you choose, they’ll be able to do one or more of the following.
- View the project, but not add to it or edit the photo book
- Purchase their own copies of the photo book
- Customize the photo book in their own Mixbook Studio™ space.
View your project
Choose the “Share Your Project” option (find instructions for this below) and invited collaborators will be able to open a digital preview of your photo book. You can invite them to see the book while it’s still in progress, or after you’ve finished it. They will not be able to edit or directly contribute to the book.
This is the best collaboration choice when you want to share the photos and memories in a book with someone who won’t be able to see the printed book in person, for example, friends and family who live far away. It’s also a good way to get suggestions and feedback outside the Mixbook platform, e.g. over the phone or email, while keeping full control over the project.
Invite to edit
When you select the “Invite to Edit” option, invited collaborators will get full access to the photo book project in their own Mixbook Studio™ spaces. They’ll be able to upload photos and customize the book using all the tools in the studio. This includes adding or editing any text elements, stickers, backgrounds, colors, adding maps, and more.
Choose this option anytime you want a photo book to be a team project. It’s best to discuss roles, expectations, and preferences for the book before you start co-creating.
Invite to order
With the “Invite to Order” option, your collaborators get a link to purchase their own copies of your finished photo book. They won’t be able to edit or add to it—just buy copies, if they wish. This is the best option for sharing books that other people might like to own, such as family history books, yearbooks, and cookbooks.
How to invite collaborators on Mixbook
You can invite collaborators to a photo book project at any time after launching it in Mixbook Studio™. All you need is their email address.
Choose a theme or start with a blank canvas, open the project, and follow the instructions below. Or, let the new project auto-save in your Mixbook account, then invite collaborators any time later.
There are different points of access for Mixbook’s collaboration features—in the studio space, in your projects list, and in the app—and they all work in essentially the same way.
In Mixbook Studio™
- Click the “Share” button at the top-right of the studio space.
- In the pop-up window, choose one of the three options: “Share Your Project,” “Invite to Edit,” or “Invite to Order.”
- Enter the email address, or multiple email addresses separated by commas, of your collaborators.
- Optionally type a note in the box—your custom message will appear in the email sent to collaborators.
- Click “Send Invite.”
You’ll also see an option to copy a link to your project, which you can share outside the Mixbook platform (e.g. by email or text).
From “My Projects”
If you launched a project in Mixbook Studio™ and then saved it to work on later, find the project description under “My Projects.” Click the “Projects” link at the top-right of the Mixbook homepage. You can invite collaborators from here.
Look underneath the project description for the blue link text reading “invite to collaborate or order.” Or, locate the blue “Collaborate” link in the column to the right of the description. Both these links launch pop-up windows—follow the same steps as above.
In the Mixbook app
In the Mixbook app, locate the hamburger menu (three short horizontal lines) at the top left of the window. In this menu, select “My Projects,” and continue with the same steps as above.
What happens after I send invitations?
After you send invitations to join a Mixbook project, your collaborators will receive an email that includes your name, the name of the project, your custom message (if you included one), and a “Join project” button.
The button will link them directly to Mixbook, where they either need to sign in to their own account or create a new account. Your collaborators will find the shared project under their own “My Projects” tab.
It’s usually a good idea to let your friends, family members, or co-workers know that you’re inviting them to collaborate on a photo book, and to look out for the email.
Tip: Use our referral program to offer your friends and family special discounts (and get some rewards yourself).
What are the benefits of photo book collaboration?
Whether you just want a second opinion before ordering, or embrace cooperative teamwork every step of the way, there are many benefits to collaborating with others on a photo book. Consider these reasons to co-create your next project.
More photos for enhanced memories
Inviting others to upload their own photos to a book gives you a bigger, better, more diverse collection to draw from. The featured photos will represent different perspectives of the same events, resulting in a more comprehensive memory book.
Collaborative photo books even promise emotional and psychological benefits. Dr. Christie Chung, Cognitive Psychologist and Provost at Palo Alto University, explains, “With the picture that you bring back, two people can talk about it together and collectively think about what that story really meant to everybody. And that is a really powerful thing—because that is one way for us to strengthen bonds within families and even friendships. To talk about something that you have experienced in common, but from different perspectives and potentially with different emotions as well.”
Second (and third) opinions
It’s always a good idea to get some feedback on design and content choices. Another pair of eyes can spot details you might have missed, and come up with original ideas that you wouldn’t have thought of alone.
Share the workload
If finishing a big photo book project feels overwhelming, it’s time to collaborate with others! Assign different pages or tasks to others and the book will be finished in no time. It’s even better if you can collaborate with someone you know who is artistic, has great style, or an eye for detail. If your book features text elements, consider collaborating with the best proofreader you know.
It’s more fun
Quite simply, it’s more fun to work on a creative project with people you like and love. Share the memories as you arrange photos on the page, laugh over silly caption ideas, and celebrate together when the book is finished.
What kinds of photo books should I collaborate on?
The choice to collaborate or work solo on a photo book is a personal one, but for most Mixbookers it depends largely on the nature of the project. Certain types of photo book are especially suited to collaboration, such as:
- Family photo books: Co-creating a book of memories starring your immediate or extended family is a no-brainer! We have a complete guide to this kind of project here: How to collaborate on a family photo book.
- Shared travel experiences: Reflect all the different memories, perspectives, and photos from a group or family trip by collaborating on a travel photo book.
- Milestone events: Milestones like graduations, weddings, and big birthday parties are shared experiences, so why not share the photo album project as well? The photo collection will be even better when you get contributions from others who were there.
- Shared gifts: Don’t just let your brother put his name on the photo book gift you made for Mother’s Day—get him to contribute to the shared gift in a more meaningful way. The same goes for group gifts from co-workers, friend groups, club members etc.
- Portfolios: A photography, artwork, or creative business portfolio is an important project that benefits from feedback, especially from a colleague or friend who is knowledgeable in the field.
- Work projects: Business photo books, such as real estate portfolios, generally require at least some element of teamwork.
- Community group or club books: A photo book made for a club or community effort, perhaps a scout troop, volunteer group, or church fundraiser, is also prime for collaboration.
- School yearbooks: Yearbooks for schools are nearly always a collaborative effort by a team. Here’s how to collaborate on school yearbooks in real time.
Collaboration tips & best practices for co-creating photo books
Every team needs a leader, so it’s best to take on that role in your own photo book project even after inviting collaborators. Communication is key, so be sure to establish what kinds of roles and contributions you’re asking for.
If you only want feedback, use the “Share Your Project” option and ask your collaborator to share their opinions in person, over the phone, or in writing.
With the “Invite to Edit” option, your collaborators will get full access to Mixbook Studio™ customization tools—that doesn’t mean they have to use them all! If there are parts of the design you don’t want them to touch, or you’re requesting specific contributions, be sure to communicate that clearly.
Consider adding notes to the invitation, or creating guidelines for collaborators, such as:
- “Everyone, please add your best 5-10 photos from Cancun to this book.”
- “We each get four pages of this book for Dad’s birthday, and we’ll work on the cover and first pages together. Design them any way you like!”
- “I’ve narrowed it down to three different book themes—help me decide?”
- “Aunt Sarah, can you i.d. the people and places in those old photos on page 7?”
- “I’ve done the photo layouts but can you help write the captions?”
- “I don’t have enough photos of Marie or Manny, can you add some?”
Finally, when you’re co-creating a photo book with friends, family, or colleagues, always establish a deadline.
FAQs about collaborating on Mixbook
Here are the answers to Mixbookers’ most frequently asked questions about collaboration:
When should I invite collaborators to join my photo book project?
As soon as you launch a photo book project in Mixbook Studio™, you can invite collaborators. The best timing depends on the kind of collaboration you want. If you’re inviting others to purchase their own copies of a book, wait until it’s totally finished and ready to print. For feedback, send an invitation to view whenever you’re ready to receive opinions. Invite others to edit your project at the very beginning, or any stage of the process that works for you.
What contact info do I need for my collaborators?
All you need is their email address. However, your collaborators will need their own Mixbook account in which to view, purchase, or edit the shared photo book. If they already have a Mixbook account, make sure you use the same email address associated with that account. Otherwise, they’ll be invited to sign up for an account after clicking the invitation link.
What kind of changes can collaborators make to my photo book?
With the “Invite to Edit” option, your collaborators will get full access to your photo book through their own Mixbook accounts. They’ll be able to use all the tools in Mixbook Studio™ to customize the book’s content and design.
If you want to limit or guide collaborators’ contributions, be sure to communicate with them before sending an invitation, or by adding a custom note to the invitation. Take on the role of “team leader” and be clear about your needs and preferences for the project.
If you don’t want collaborators to have access to customization tools, choose the “Share Your Project” or “Invite to Order” options.
Can I collaborate on other kinds of photo projects on Mixbook?
Yes! Collaboration options aren’t just for photo books. You can also invite friends and family to collaborate on custom photo cards, invitations, calendars, and home decor prints. The collaboration options work in the exact same way for these products as they do for photo books.
Mixbook will help your shared memories come to life
Co-creating a collaborative photo book is very simple with Mixbook. Enjoy the creative freedom to tell your shared story—together—through the power of photos.
Gain some inspiration, and when you're ready to create, you and your crew will soon become expert Mixbookers. Get started with your photo book today!
