Album Design & Products

Lately when I’m talking with a potential bride via emails the number one question is “what do I get in the Collection?” And then “what if I want an album?” They they always want to know why an album isn’t included in all the Collections…because “so and so photographer” offers it so why don’t I. When I ask what kind of album are they referring to (because in my mind I know EXACTLY which ones they’re thinking of…the cheap little print/bind paperback books or either an album that you slide 4×6s into) they reply “you know, the ones I can put 4×6s in.” Bingo! What did I tell you?! I’m a mind reader!

Then I go on to explain (in non-industry terms) that they are often called “magazine style albums” or “coffee table albums” and that no I do not offer photo albums you can slide 4×6s into or the cheap little books. Sorry, I highly value quality items. If it’s not something I would want to own myself then I won’t offer it just to be offering it. I’ve always had expensive taste so to speak so if it’s not of high quality then forget it…not being conceited…just telling the truth! I often see photographers offering 10×10 albums with 50 pages in a $1000 package which also includes unlimited coverage & a DVD. The albums they are offering are NOT the ones I offer in any shape, way or form. And yes, the ones I offer are expensive. They are an investment just as your wedding photographer should be. Albums to me are priceless. They are an actual tangible item that can be passed down from generation to generation! What better way than to remember your day & be able to display it in a fashionable manner & not hidden in a drawer to never see the light of day! You want it to be something your grandchildren will fight over!

I currently offer two albums…an 8×20 for the bride who wants to take it to the next level & be extraordinary; and a standard 9×12 album…plus with the order of one of these albums first, I do offer separately (2) parent albums in a 6×8. I’ve found that if you start to offer too many options & albums you end up completely overwhelming the client..not good! Keep it simple & they’ll thank you for it later! For this year, I’ve done away with offering a bunch of prints in my Collections. I was finding that most girls didn’t want them anyways…they all just wanted the DVD of images (which is included in every single Collection I offer). I’ve also decided to start doing album pre-designing as well for those on the fence of wanting a book or not. For those who still love & want 4×6 prints, I do offer an item a little bit more modern than a plain ole’ 4×6 album. I offer custom made proof boxes, which will hold 300 4×6s.

All my albums are designed by me in Photoshop. I approach the album design in a clean, classic, timeless kind of approach. I don’t want the book to ever date itself! Therefore you will NEVER see drop shadows, patterned backgrounds, 60 image collage on one page, etc. I find that stuff to personally be tacky. They all start off with a 10 page spread (20 pages total) with the option to add additional pages at an additional price. I pick the images that I feel best tell the story throughout the day & put it together. I come up with the layouts in my head & then with the help of a template system I build the page as I want. I send the final product via email to the client to proof & they can make 2 revisions to it at no additional charge. Once I get final approval it gets uploaded & sent to a fabulous company who does all the print & binding of the pages!

So below we will start with my absolute FAVORITE size album..the 8×20. It opens up from top to bottom and to a full 16×20 when completely open. This album is massive! The cover is a type of aluminum with the couple’s image on the front. I chose to put the couple’s name & wedding date…all optional of course. The binding is a leather in a nice warm color that is textured! I LOVE it!
Disclaimer: I am not a product photographer nor do I strive to be or ever want to be one! The images taken are of the actual album & spreads (pages) laid out. These images do not do these products justice in any way! The albums are gorgeous (& heavy!)!

Next is the custom proof box…again, all designed in Photoshop & off to a company for the actual item! The front has the image, the spine typically has the couple’s name and/or date and the back is usually a design or solid color (one that is taken from the image so it flows together).

And on to the standard size 9×12 album…this album is designed vertically & opens like a normal book. The cover is an acrylic one with a metallic image underneath it. The binding of the spine & back is again a nice, textured leather…in this instance more of a crocodile pattern.








Oops! Just realized I put the bottom image of in the spread above in the pic below! Ignore that! Too much work to fix it & repost! LOL

So I hope you’ve enjoyed looking at a few albums & have a better idea of what they are when I talk about them! Brides, if you haven’t thought of getting one you really should! They are fabulous! Your future grandchildren will thank you later!

xoxo
Amy