2009 Album Selection Overview and Guide

In a perfect world all my clients will come into the cozy studio, hang out on the couches, and enjoy a beverage while flipping through my selection of albums.  Web images are clearly no substitue for looking and touching the real thing.  However, I’m providing an online guide for my out of town clients, to help sort through the album selection process.

For 2009, I will be offering 4 different types of photo albums.  My intent is surely not to make things complicated; I just can’t limit my choices, because they are all so cool!  Well that and some offer price point savings that will appreciated by some.   Each album or book offers different covers, features, page styles, and price points.

Click on the ” Read more” to the right to view all the detailed pictures and descriptions.  Thanks!  Steve Z . . . . .

The Fine Art Album

• This is my premium album, and offers the highest quality binding, printing, and cover materials.  The choice of customization of this album is nearly limitless!

• This first sample is showing the Ice Image Cover.   The image is mounted underneath an acrylic cover.  The spine and back of the album are constructed using one of 50 choices of leather.

• All of my albums feature hinged binding.   This means that the pages lay flat on the table, as opposed to a book or magazine bind that do not.

• The Fine Art Album is a Flush Mount design.  The entire 2 page spread is one printed layout.  This is different than the traditional matted style of album.  This album is modern, slick, and impressive.  The design allows for full panoramic spreads and creative storybook layouts featuring multiple images per page.
• There is no gap or discoloration in the crease between the pages of this album.
• The prints have a glossy finish.

• Horizontal album designs are great for arty, distinctive page layouts (above).
• Square album designs allow for full panoramic spreads and easy sizing for different sized parent albums (below).
• As you can see, the images extend to the full edges of the page, and multiple images can be arranged on a spread.  These examples show only 1 or 2 images, but overall my albums average around 4 images per spread.  1 spread = 2 pages.

• Fine Art Albums are available in 2 different page thicknesses.   The switching point between thick or thin pages is somewhere around 30 spreads.
• Thin pages are best for albums with more spreads. This keeps the overall size and weight of the album down.  Thin pages are fairly stiff and resemble art board.  Thin pages have a white core, and the blank pages on the insides of the cover are white as well.  Choose thin pages if you want an album that is thinner and more elegant.

• Thick pages are best for albums with fewer spreads. Thick pages are very stiff.  Thick pages have a black core, and the blank pages on the insides of the cover are also black.   Choose thick pages if you want an album to be thicker and more substantial.

Fine Art Album Cover Options

• As I mentioned above, there are a wide range of cover choices, including somewhere around 50 leather options. In addition to genuine leather, there are around 40 animal-friendly simulated leather, and simulated fur cover options.
• In addition to leather, you can choose from roughly 20 different silks, photo printed canvas, printed metal, or the Ice image cover shown above.
• Another really cool option, is the 2 tone leather cover shown below.  There are many different ways to position the stripe, or have the two tone cover the binding instead of a stripe.
• Below is a sample of a two tone leather, with 2 image cutouts, and text imprinting.  I chose a radical leather combination to illustrate the possibilities.  But know that simple designs are available, including tried and true black leather!

• Image cutouts are available as a series as shown here, or as 1 larger image in the center of the album.

• Imprinting is available in many different colors, including clear as shown here.
• Imprinting is not available on all cover designs and with all cover materials.  Please ask for availability.

The Print Album

• The Print Album is a low cost option to the Fine Art Album.  It is made by the same company, so many of the features are similar.
• The Print Album Cover choices are:  leather, animal friendly leather, silk, and two tone leather.
• This first Print Album sample I will show you features a 1 tone Silk cover.  These are the same silks that are available in the Fine Art Album.

• The Print Album is also available with picture cutouts and imprinting, just like the Fine Art Album.
• As shown here, albums are great for photo sessions other than weddings.  Albums are also popular for family photo sessions and senior portrait collections as well.

• The Print Album features the same quality craftsmanship and made in the USA quality as the Fine Art Album.

So what is the difference?!

• The primary difference between the Fine Art and Print Album is the printed page itself.  While the Fine Art Album features a true flush mount and laminated page, the Print Album has a photographic print that is affixed to the page.  Below you can see a detail shot that shows how the print does not extend completely to the end of the art board like the Fine Art Album.

• There is a choice between black or white art boards.  This will be the color of the sides of the book and the small gaps in between and around the photo prints.  White is shown below.

• The design of a Print Album is versatile.
• You can choose from Vertical, Square, or Horizontal layouts.
• A layout can still be graphically laid out with multiple images per page, just like the Fine Art Album.
• The prints have a glossy finish.

• Additionally, low cost, simple layout books featuring one image per page are available in standard sizes such as 4×6, 5×7, and 8×10.

The Coffee Table Book

• The Coffee Table book is a hip and modern album that features a full image wrap cover.  Every cover is a custom creation!

• The Coffee Table book is thin and elegant.  It is also a great option if you want to make multiple books.  The 4×4 mini album is great to put in the handbag to show off around town! As a man I don’t feel at all saying that it is seriously adorable!

• The Coffee Table book also features high quality binding and perfect lay-flat panoramic spreads.

• As you can see, the Coffee table book has ultra thin flexible pages.
• The pages have a standard matte finish.  Glossy, waterproof lamination is available at extra cost.

The Guest Book

• On the outside, the Guest Book is similar in appearance to the Coffee Table Book with its photo wrap cover.

• On the inside however, the Guest Book uses a low-cost binding solution.  The pages still lie flat, but there is a significant gap in the center of the spreads.  Each page is held by a bonded plastic holder, that is bound into the spine.

• Overall, the Guest Book is still a very handsome and well made book.  I offer it as a low-cost solution for memory books to use as gifts, and for Engagement Signing Books.

• The Engagement Signing book is a great way to show off your engagement photos and also record well wishings from your wedding guests.  The album is designed with ample white space so that your guests can sign their names and any notes that they would like to record.  I can’t tell you how many compliments I get on this book.  Guests LOVE it!
• I offer the Guest Book for couples on a tight budget.   For clients who want nothing but the best, I  highly recommend the Premium Guest Book which is created using the Coffee Table Book.  The art matte pages work exceptionally well for writing on.

Well if you are still with me at this point you must be really interested in album designs!  :>)  Thanks for reading, and of course, please contact me for more information and pricing details.  I hope to hear from you soon!  Steve Z.