Fall seven times; stand up eight.

In recent days, the Japanese people have shown perseverance, courage and strength, proving their character true to this ancient Japanese proverb. Our prayers and best wishes go out to the people of Japan as they struggle to restore and rebuild.

For additional impressive images showing the aftermath of Japan’s recent tragedies, go here.

-Ugo

No time to make photo albums? Let the experts do it for you!

If you’re in or near Boston, bring your favorite photos in digital format (memory card, CD, camera, smart phone or laptop) to Boston’s new Kolo Album Bar. A KoloPro will print ‘em out beautifully and help you pick out a Kolo book, album or photo box…

…Take all the creative control you want -- hang out and use Kolo’s computers and iPads to organize and edit your photos, add text and create layouts. A KoloPro will be there to assist…

…Or just bring your photos, drop, shop and let Kolo do all the work! Some Kolo books and photo albums can be turned around same day, and some in just an hour.

Imagine that. An archival Kolo album filled with your photos in just an hour. Starting at $18.

The Kolo Album Bar is near Bloomingdale’s and the Apple store in the Mall at Chestnut Hill, 199 Boylston Street in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Boston.

-Kate

Saint – Germain's covers are beautifully wrapped with luxurious Italian Merino wool felt, available in four rich colors. Each album is lined with our classic book cloth in an accent color that coordinates with the thread color of the sewing detail.

Available in our two best-selling sizes, 11 x 14 and 8.5 x 11. Midnight Blue and Charcoal are loaded with ten black cloth-hinged pages, while Brick and Ivy come with ten soft white cloth-hinged pages. Archival. Refillable.

Read more, here.

-Kate

Making a Valentine’s Day photo album for your sweetheart? I am -- a quick, small Kolo Noci photo album -- though mine is more skiing trip theme than wedding theme. (Skiing is romantic, right? It is, isn’t it?)

For those who want to play it safe, creating a photo book with your favorite wedding or just-you-two photos is a great option. Probably a surefire, hit-it-out-of-the-ballpark Valentine’s gift idea, come to think of it. (I hope skiing is romantic.)

Layouts like these three Kolo Newport layouts can be created at myKOLO.com.

For more Valentine's Day gift ideas, go here and here and here.

(Layout designs by Karalee Serra for Kolo.)

- Ugo

After eight months packed with thousands of fantastic entries, the panel of expert photographers and designers has made its final decision. Please join me in congratulating the grand prize winner and six second place winners of Kolo's Monthly Photo Contest 2010. The grand prize winner will receive $500 cash and $500 worth of Kolo merchandise. The six second place winners will each receive $100 cash and $100 worth of Kolo merchandise.

Among the panel of judges were Boston-based photojournalist Mikki Ansin, Chicago photographer Kelli Taylor and artist Steve Light.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Monthly Photo Contest 2010. Best wishes to you all!

Winners will be directly contacted with information about receiving their prize. To read more about Kolo's Monthly Photo Contest 2010, go here.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:



artist: Zoltán Balogh
country: Hungary
title: The 100 Years Old Man
theme: Green

SECOND PLACE WINNERS:

artist: Sudip Roychoudhury
title: Return
country: India
theme: Yellow

artist: Tirion Jenkins
title: A Fragment of the Old Crete
country: Hong Kong
theme: Travel

artist: Viktorija Vaisvilaite Skirutiene
country: Lithuania
title: Two For the Road
theme: Happy

artist: David Lazar
title: Our World
country: Australia
theme: Travel

artist: Gurdas Dua
country: India
title: Temple at Step Farms
theme: Green

artist: Wael Eldeep
title: Working Young
country: Egypt
theme: Travel