As the weather warms up and we start to move into wedding season, I find myself at the table with clients who are trying to select what they need for their photography services for their big day. In today's world of digital everything, many clients are focused on obtaining the rights to the files. This is a wonderful thing to have and we are glad to offer it. With social media sharing, personal web sites and blogs and unprecedented access to photo printing options it can be wonderful to have all those images delivered on a USB drive.

But what then? So often I hear from clients who are returning to us for family portraits, newborn photos, that say to me...Wow, I really need to do something with my photos! I meant to make an album but never got around to it!

While there are many, many consumer grade albums on the market there still is no substitute for a professionally designed and professionally printed and bound wedding album. An archival piece of family history to share with kids, grandkids, family and friends. The tactile experience of holding the photos in your hand, presented in a light that your photographer has envisioned really brings the experience full circle in a way scrolling through image on an i-pad does not.

I am reminded of this every time a client album arrives from the lab and I get to open it for the first time and see the photos in this way. Even though I have seen these images many, many times during the process of shooting, editing, designing...it is still a thrill each time I see the completed project in print.

Just food for thought when you are booking your photography, if you can swing that package with an album...DO IT! And if you need to do it later on down the road, don't forget that the one year anniversary gift is PAPER! So I think an album would certainly qualify.

Technology changes, digital media can degrade or corrupt but a high quality archival print can last for centuries. No matter what, get at least a few photos printed at a real photo lab! You'll be glad you did.

I have included some images of a recent client album, this is an example of out most popular book, a leather bound 12 x 12 album.