Album Design Time

[JuanSalgueiro]

The question "do you use photoshop?" does this refer to the album design process or just in general? I use photoshop a lot but never for album layout design.

[Melissa]

Hi. I originally posted the question in the poll to find out if other photographers are using Photoshop for album designs. There are many different design programs and some that use Photoshop actions. We use Photoshop and I was curious as to how many other photographers use Photoshop too.

Thanks!

[Melissa]

Hi Leslie,

In our experience, brides love for us to select the images for the album and complete the design. In the past, I often heard from brides who were overwhelmed with the number of images and how to organize them. We even provided a detailed set of instructions with each order form.

Presently, we offer the brides an opportunity to review the album design and add/delete/replace photos. The number of changes included is the same as the number of album pages (i.e. 30 pages = 30 changes). We have a small fee for additional changes.

I speak with the bride and groom a couple of times before the wedding and ask them if they have any specific requests. Observing on the wedding date furthers our understanding of what will be meaningful to the couple.

We include the album design as part of our original package. We are fine art photographers who create unique album designs for every wedding. There are many creative album solutions available to photographers, including, the Hard Cover Art Albums by VisionArt Books. You have the opportunity to create an album cover using the couples favorite wedding day image. They will love it and you will love all the referrals from friends who see their album.

Do you include an album as part of the package?

Cheers,
Melissa

[southwindphoto]

Originally Posted by Leslie

Jim and Melissa,

How do you go about appeasing your brides if you pick the images for their album? I have heard of photographers doing that, I just do not know how a photographer is able to pick photos that are meaningful to the bride. I know with a photographer picking out the images for the design and layout, the final album may be more aesthetically pleasing, but will it be more meaningful? I am curious about how one goes about introducing that new concept to them. Do you have great success with it? I would greatly appreciate knowing more about doing this.

Thanks,
Leslie

Leslie

I offer 20 and 30 page 10x10 albums. For the 20 page album I ask B&G to pick there favorite 30 or so pictures. The pictures they are picking do not include backdrops.

And I take it from there.

If they have already ordered enlargements, I’ll also incorporate a few of them into there album.

The way I see it, it’s “their album”. Sure I may not have wanted some of those pictures in the album, but who am I to decide. Therefore, I like to work with the brides to create for them the album. And I’ll say most album turn out great.