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One of the most important moments in any couple’s life is their wedding day, so what better way to showcase all their beautiful images from the event than in an album. Wedding albums come in all shapes and sizes, materials and finishes, and how you present a body of work can make the difference between an average job and a really fantastic one. Not only does an immaculate wedding album act

as a great keepsake for the happy couple, but it also provides a fantastic advertisement of your work for all the people they show it to. Remember this is your shop window for future clients, so make it is the best it can be within your budget constraints.

Whether the wedding album is for a client, friend or family you want their memories from the day to capture every moment in the best possible way and

within their budget. If you’re after the best then you’ll need to be prepared to spend, as professional-grade presentation is pricey. If you’re on a budget, there are a number of cheaper options on offer, and we’ve sourced the best around from the hundreds available out there.

To help you on your way to creating and crafting a beautiful wedding album or photo book, here’s Digital Photographer’s ultimate guide.

If you photograph weddings then you can maximise your profits by offering a stunning photobook or album as part of your package

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Albums Wedding

IN-DEPTHFEATURE SPECIAL

Top wedding books for every budget

8-PAGEGUIDE

Wedding albumsKIT BAG4 albums

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If you want to create your own wedding album, and budget is a big consideration, there are many high-end consumer

websites you can create wedding photobooks from. If you’re going to go for this option then you need to make sure you’ve considered the layout of the album and that the images complement each other. Just because you’ve gone for the budget option doesn’t mean it needs to look it, so spend some time considering print options of pages and the cover if you’re going down this route.

KIT BAG4 albums

8 High-end consumer photobooks

Top pIcKs4 More budget options that wont break the bank

Design and print high quality photobooks at an affordable price

Square PhotobookCompany: MyMemory.com Photo

Price: £20 Web: www.mymemory.com

This book measures 20x20cm and can contain between 26 and 100 pages. Photographs are printed on 300gsm

paper giving the book a durable and weighty feel. The front cover can be personalised with your own photograph and text heading.

Landscape S - Hard CoverCompany: Bonusprint Price: From £10 Web: www.bonusprint.co.uk

Showcase special wedding images in this small photobook from Bonusprint. The book will hold 24 to 120 pages and the option to print pages in high gloss will cost an additional 10 pence per page. The turn-around time from ordering to delivery is seven working days. These books make great affordable gifts for family and friends.

Wedding albums

“Just because you’ve gone for the budget option it doesn’t mean it needs to look it”

pHoTo BooK LAndscApe L Company: albelli Price: From £25.95Web: www.albelli.co.uk

This photobook from Albelli measures 28x21cm and can be finished in a high gloss or lay-flat finish (costing for these options varies). For the cover

you can select either linen or real leather. This is a perfect option to offer clients looking for something extra special, without breaking the bank.

pHoTo BooK XXL (LAndscApe) Company: pixum Price: From £50Web: www.pixum.co.uk

For those special memories Pixum’s largest photobook measures an impressive 42x30cm. Again a personalised hard cover, linen or faux-leather option can be included as the

front cover. With the linen and leather cover option eight additional pages costs £8 or extra pages with the hard cover costs £6 per eight.

LArGe squAre Company: Blurb Price: From £33.95Web: www.blurb.com

Blurb has many book-printing options all located on their website. For those looking for something extra

special take a look into Blurb’s ProLine printing options. The larger book options make an impressive-looking album perfect for showcasing your images.

LArGe squAre Company: Bob Books Price: From £37.99Web: www.bobbooks.co.uk

This hardback book option from Bob’s books gives brilliant colours and super-sharp quality. It has a full wrap-around laminate cover and images are printed on 300gsm Satin photo paper. The book

offers complete lay-flat binding, showing off double-pages for best results. They are available in a variety of sizes including Large Square, Landscape and Square.

eLeGAnce pHoTo BooKCompany: My pix Price: From £30Web: www.mypix.com

For those looking for a cheaper alternative option then the Elegance Photo Book from MyPix.com works out as great value for money. Extra pages are 59 pence and the front cover can be customised in

a glossy satin finish. The books pages are sewn and not glued meaning they will be more durable.

IT’s ALL In THe deTAIL include a mix of portraits of the couple, group shots and close-up details for a

true record of the day’s events

Bonusprint provide easy to compile, affordable options

think whether your shots will suit

the square format

BooK/XXL LAndscApe pHoTo Company: Jessops Price: From £55Web: http://photo.jessops.com/photo-books.html

The XXL Landscape photo book can print up to 154 pages and measures 39x28cm.

Personalise the hard front cover with an image or select the linen or faux leather option. A portrait orientation book is also available that starts at £46.

XL Photo Paper PhotobookCompany: CEWE Price: From £45.99 Web: www.photoworld.co.uk

This hardback-cover book measures 30x30cm. Each image is printed on lustre print paper to deliver high-quality results. An additional eight pages cost £10.50 per batch and the album from day of ordering should arrive within 11 days. This option is also available on a glossy photo paper finish for a really pro feel.

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Lay flat, what’s it all about? Lay flat is a term referring to when the pages in the book open up and lay flush without bending. If you want to present a large image across a double-page spread then this is a great option to consider.

You should avoid placing your main subject in the middle of the spread (i.e. in the book spine) as this will ruin your image. Think about choosing images with some empty space in the composition if you want to add text to the page.

this example is from Vanilla (www.vanillaphotobooks.co.uk) and illustrates the lay-flat format You can conveniently add in

pages in bundles of eight if you need to

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Top pIcKs4 the best of the rest professional products

Wedding albums

If you want to offer a pro-finish book that steers away from the traditional wedding album, then there are plenty of high-end options that you can tempt your clients with. Modern wedding albums display your photos printed within a completely bound book as opposed to inserted prints that you find in traditional albums.

If you’re thinking of going down this route there are plenty of aesthetic aspects to consider,

including things such as the weight of the pages, whether they come with a presentation box and what the cover material is made from. Many companies offer a selection of cover options such as acrylic, leather and linen. You can also find books that feature thick glossy card pages as opposed to regular paper. Get a feel for what your wedding clients’ tastes are and choose all of these different options accordingly.

pro wedding books and albumsCreate a professional-looking wedding presentation album using these niche products

Folio AlbumsCompany: Folio Albums Price: Prices start from £210 Web: www.folioalbums.com

This product has been designed with simplicity in mind for photographers and clients. A bespoke product can be crafted from a range of options including a paper selection of art white, art cotton or gallery cotton, and the cover can be selected from contemporary leather, photo cotton or silk. Prices vary throughout.

Lay-flat wedding photo bookCompany: The PhotoBook Store Price: Prices start from £185 Web: www.thephotobookstore.com

Lay-flat wedding photo books are bound in genuine white leather with gold embossed titles. The

pages are printed on HP photo satin paper using HP inkjet technology to produce amazing detail and perfect colours. The lay-flat pages are 1mm thick to allow for double page

spreads, which fold out flush when open, with no bending. This option is excellent value for

money considering the materials used and the quality of the handmade product.

Double OpeningCompany: Avita Albums Price: From £60 Web: www.avitaalbums.com

The double-opening album is a unique product from Avita. The album opens to the left and the right, and comes in three available sizes, 8x8”, 10x8” and 12x8”. The albums can be made from different materials including canvas and acrylic. This gives photographers a unique edge by offering a new product to clients. All albums are completed in a leather briefcase or presentation box.

The Fine Art albumCompany: Colorworld Imaging Price: Start at £100 Web: www.colorworldimaging.co.uk

The Fine Art album range from Colorworld Imaging uses white un-textured matte paper to produce beautiful, high-quality results. Covers can be selected from their Renaissance genuine-leather covers including the new Macrosuedes, Buckrams and Metallics options. This is one of the latest products from the company.

dazzle your clients with this unique wedding album format

a chic, yet modern finish like this is timeless

Make the most of your double-page spreads with

a lay-flat book like this

premIum pHoToBooK Company: photobox Price: From £100Web: www.photobox.co.ukTo create a Premium Photobook go online to the Photobox website, click on the premium option and start building your book. The cover on the premium option is constructed from a luxury silk-style padding, which can

be personalised along with the spine. This book will hold from 90 up to 120 pages.

WeddInG ALBum Company: photocreator Price: From £120Web: www.photocreator.co.ukThis 30x30cm book from Photocreator comes with a luxury presentation box. For the cover either select the genuine

leather option or use a picture teamed with leather spine and corners. Print images from 30 to 60 pages.

12” squAre WeddInG LAyfLAT pHoToBooK - reAL creAm LeATHer Company: Vanilla Price: Start at £134.99Web: vanillaphotobooks.co.ukThe 12 inch square wedding

book from Vanilla offers clients a professional finish and includes a luxury black presentation box. The album can be designed from 24 to 60 pages and images are printed onto Mazina 216gsm paper and include a overall Flood UV gloss varnish for a quality finish.

fIne ArT WeddInG ALBum Company: Venice album Price: available on request Web: www.venicealbum.comThe Venice album range has been designed to suit your client’s taste. Whether that

is romantic, casual, modern or classic there’s something there for everyone. Covers can be personalised with a photo or crafted from leather or Eco-Leather.

AsuKABooK neocLAssIc BooK ™ Company: Silvanna album designs Price: From £448 Web: www.silvannaalbumdesigns.co.uk

The modern design of this album includes a unique slide-in presentation case and space to keep a DVD. This particular album comes in 8x11 inch or 10x10 inch with 20, 30 or 40 pages.

Picture boxes Want to impress your clients in an alternative way? Why not present images in a picture box? Here are our top picks:

Sim2000 Picture boxesPrice: From £25 Web: www.sim2000imaging.com

These hardwearing and scratch-resistant keepsake boxes can be personalised with an image, and come in a range of sizes.

Venice Album – Book box

Price: From €52.50 Web: www.venicealbum.

com

This elegant way to preserve images and present albums

to clients can be personalised with a cover image.

Brodies PortfoliosPrice: From £130

Web: www.brodiesportfolios.com

These boxes are made to order and can be crafted from leather, vinyl or cloth. Boxes come with a clamshell opening. If you want to go a step further, a bag can also be made for the box.

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Wedding albums

Top pIcKs4 high-end products to suit your clients needsKensInGTon WeddInG ALBum

Company: aspinal of london Price: £120Web: aspinaloflondon.comThis handmade album is hard bound and comes complete with 50 acid-free cream card pages. You can personalise the leather front cover by embossing names and dates in gold foil. The classic design exudes traditional charm.

desIre Company: gFSmith Price: available on requestWeb: www.gfsmithphotomount.co.uk

This wedding album is bound in soft faux leather, and comes as standard in black or ivory, but if the client wishes to custom-select another colour, there is the option. The Desire Album comes in sizes of A3, 14x10 inch, 12x12 inch, and A4.

mAjor professIonAL Company: heritage photo albums Price: From £104.48 Web: www.heritagephotoalbums.co.ukThis complete wedding album system with overlay mounts and pages from Hertitage Photo Albums will

hold 60 5x7 inch photographs. The leather grain cover comes in various colours and a gift box is also supplied with the album.

coLorWorLd’s LIfesTyLe rAnGe Company: Colorworld imaging Price: Start at £89Web: www.colorworldimaging.co.uk

These albums are available in sizes 8x8 inch, 10x10 inch and 12x12 inch with a maximum page count of 12 double spreads. Colorworld’s Lifestyle range comes with extra-

thick pages making it sturdy, durable and perfect for a small wedding photograph album.

THe desIGner ALBum Company: albums australia Price: available on request Web: www.albumsaustralia.com.au

This elegant and professional album includes both mat-style pages and

flush mount pages. A special lip mechanism joins the pages eliminating wear and tear, making this a great option as the client’s main wedding album.

crysTAL GLAss cover Company: avita albums Price: From £60Web: www.avitaalbums.com

The crystal glass is an upgrade from the normal acrylic cover. It is harder-wearing than

a normal acrylic, and looks classy with no difference in weight compared to the acrylic. This product is only available in 12x18 inch.

If you’re shooting a fancy wedding, you’re client is more than likely to expect immaculate presentation. At the top-end of the wedding album market there is a vast range to choose from, with a huge number of different approaches that vary from a traditional album style to something with a more modern finish. Once again, think

about the extra details such as presentation boxes and all the other final touches you can add, which help to make their wedding album, and memories, extra special.

We’ve narrowed down the search and found what we think to be the crème de la crème of high-end wedding photography albums for you to offer your clients.

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pro traditional albums Impress clients by presenting their images in the very best wedding albums

SienaCompany: Album Epoca Price: Available on request Web: www.albumepoca.com

Album Epoca have a vast range of wedding concept-related albums on offer to the pro photographer. The classic Sienna comes in brown or ivory bookmark, with the option for gold or silver page edges. The cover is constructed from leather and linen.

Mario Acerboni, Tethus Luxury Black 25 Black LeavesCompany: Parker Photographics Limited Price: £428.74 Web: www.parker-photo.co.uk

The Mario Acerboni range available from Parker Photographics will not disappoint those with high standards. This album is available in QL (14x11 inches) or AL (10x10 inches) sizes in the Acerboni Luxury Leaf system with either black or white leaves. Allow six to eight weeks for delivery.

Matted Album Company: Sim2000 Price: Available on request Web: www.sim2000imaging.com

The elegant Matted Album has a timeless look and feel. The mounts come in a choice of black and cream and the cover can be crafted from leather or suede. The layout can be designed through the free SimWare software and images will then be individually checked and colour corrected to ensure quality results.

Become an approved supplierMany high-end wedding album manufacturers will only supply their products and services to pro photographers. This ensures their products always look great and are not tarnished with poor photographic work.

Graphistudio is one of the largest wedding book producers in the world and is one such company that requires proof that you are a full or part-time professional wedding photographer before you can offer their products to your clients.

In order to become an approved supplier visit www.graphistudio.com and fill out the Photographers Inquiry Form. You will then be contacted by a representative who will ask for proof of your work. It helps if you have a body of work online to show off your skills.

“If you’re shooting a fancy wedding you’re client is going to expect immaculate presentation.”

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Select a high-end finish to really give the wow-factor

DuoCompany: Queensberry Price: Available on request Web: www.queensberry.com

This classic option from the New Zealand-based company Queensberry, uses a contemporary mix of matted, full bleed and flushmount pages combining style and elegance in one album. This album is sure to keep the fussiest of clients content.

go classic with this chic and simple design

one Visio take full control of the production process

Sim2000 make colour correction a

top priority

Latina Album 25 pagesCompany: One Vision Imaging Ltd Price: £231.75 excluding VAT Web: www.onevisionimaging.com

This 12x12 inch wedding album is available in four sizes (prices vary) and comes in a black or white finish. Have total confidence in the final outcome, as the company offers a complete print and build service.

these sleek, wipe-clean albums are perfect for showcasing work

Bellissimo AperturaCompany: Loxley Color Price: Prices start at £280 Web: www.loxleycolour.com

The Bellissimo Apertura is a luxury wedding album supplied in a hand crafted box. The album comes in three sizes 14×14, 12×12 and 10×10 inches square and there are four mount options to choose from. You can include up to 40 pages.

Make an impression

with this hand-

crafted album

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