We're on track to become the most photographed yet least documented generation, and frankly, that's not cool.
As a firm believer in printed work, I can't stress enough that a wedding job isn't truly "done" until the album is in my client's hands. Growing up, my most cherished possessions were the stacks of photo albums my mom handed me—childhood memories captured on rounded-corner 3x5 prints and Polaroids. These albums hold a special place in my heart, and I plan to pass them down to my children one day.
Albums and prints are integral parts of our legacy. In this blog post, I'll do my best to convince you that investing in a professionally printed wedding album is absolutely worthwhile.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE YOUR OWN ALBUM – AND YOU KNOW IT.
Photographing around 30 weddings a year, I've had countless conversations with clients who believe they'll make their own album since they have the files. Let me be honest with you—love and all—I don't think you will.
You spend months meticulously planning every detail of your wedding day, from the flavor of the cake to the font on the place cards. After the wedding, the last thing you'll want to do is sift through hundreds of images choosing which ones make it into your album. (Seriously, some couples from over a year ago still struggle with this!) Instead, you might turn to Facebook for printing suggestions, only to forget about it for weeks.
Weeks turn into months. Computers crash. Your spare room intended as an office turns into a nursery. Life gets in the way. Years pass, and all you have left is a USB tucked away in a junk drawer. Your wedding photos—right next to the super glue and band-aids. Not exactly the fate they deserve.
THE DESIGN PROCESS:
I'm here to make the album creation process easy for you. With Photography by Jodi, your first album proof is delivered the same day as your final image gallery. You hired me to document one of the happiest days of your life, and I'll guide you through the best way to tell its story across 20-40 spreads.
Using professional software, I layout the images in a minimalist design, ensuring each one can "breathe." This software has the exact measurements from numerous album makers, so the proofs accurately represent how the album will look. No surprises, no chopped limbs—just your wedding day story told in the most beautiful, page-turning way. The proofing process is entirely online, eliminating the need for additional meetings. Simply click and leave notes detailing any changes you'd like made.
IT'S TRUE – YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR:
Sure, you could try to build your own album. Maybe you're one of the rare unicorns who immediately starts working on it—great! But as a consumer, you simply don't have access to the best labs for the job.
My album maker specializes in just that—making albums. Just beautiful, heirloom-quality albums that give your wedding images the treatment they deserve. With over ten pairs of hands hand-crafting each album and multiple levels of inspection, you can trust in the quality. Online consumer print labs might be cheaper, but they can't match the archival paper, durable spines, and that intoxicating new leather smell.
TECHNOLOGY CHANGES:
Hard drives crash. Computers get stolen. Your new computer might not even have a USB port in a few years. Those CDs and drives will soon become obsolete. And while I might be delivering holograms in ten years, your daughter won't be able to unlock that iPhone 11 Pro in 30 years.
Albums are forever.
FOREVER EVER.
"BUT THEY'RE SO EXPENSIVE!"
I hear you! But you know what else was expensive? Your dress. That tux. Your favorite flowers shipped from another country because they were out of season. The cake that no one ate because they were too busy dancing with YOU! (Let's not even get started on the photographer 😉 )
Don't those images deserve to be preserved in a gorgeous album on your coffee table where you can see them whenever you'd like? Aren't you proud of the time you spent planning every single detail of that day? Doesn't your day deserve to be documented forever?
Some clients use wedding gifts/cash towards the purchase of their wedding album. I'm also happy to extend a payment plan to help chip away at your final cost. Before you know it, that gorgeous album will be proudly displayed in your home, and all of your friends can gush over your wedding day every time they visit.
I'd love to hear your thoughts—did you get an album with your wedding photos? Do you regret building your own? Do you have access to your images and want to make an album now? Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the process!
Looking for more wedding tips for your Florida wedding? Check out some of my other articles here
.
