Before & After Layouts

Recently, we updated our fifty-year-old furnace. I hate the work and mess of home improvement projects but I endured the project that (of course) took longer than originally estimated. In the end, we had a lovely new furnace and whole new look to our living room. The contrast of how the furnace looked before and after was incredible. I had to document the event.

Before-and-after layouts are interesting because of the contrast of the subject. When we contrast something, either through photographs or journaling, interest is immediately aroused. There are several ideas for photographing and journaling before-and-after layouts. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Events. Many events involve a change like graduation or marriage. Some other examples of events to contrast before and after are a pumpkin being carved, presents wrapped and unwrapped, a cooking project, and eggs during the dyeing process.


• Physical Change. We all change and some changes are very noticeable. Contrast physical changes such as losing baby teeth, a new hairstyle, the growth of a puppy, or a new wardrobe.


• Home Improvement. We all hope to see some change with a home improvement project! Don’t forget events like painting the house, adding a room, or redecorating a room.
  
  


• Skill Improvement. Learning to do a cartwheel or knit a sweater are skills that we learn and improve as we do them. You can document how these skills were in the beginning and then afterwards.


• Personal. How has your life changed? Has some event had a profound effect on you? Document changes in health, lifestyle or beliefs.


• Time and Place. Consider documenting the before and after of a location. How has time changed the place? When you return, how is it different now? How do you view it differently?

Photographs. Take photographs before the change then afterwards. When you don’t have something immediately on hand for the “before” event, look through old photographs. Sometimes old photographs have just what you need.

Journaling. Remember to write down your thoughts before and after. For example, if you are getting a new hairstyle, document how you feel before the new hairstyle, why you wanted to do it and any worries you had about it. Afterwards, document how you feel about the new hairstyle, the reactions of others and if you would do it again. Compare the “before” and “after.” The journaling will be interesting with the contrast of before and after.

Layout design. Highlight the differences. To spotlight the before-and-after journaling and photographs, use slide holders, frames, tabs, etc. and label them “before” and “after.” Additionally you can label your photographs by printing directly on the photograph, or use rub-ons or stickers on or beside the photograph.

Take a moment and document these special times!