How much does a wedding album cost?
That depends. The final price of your wedding album will be determined by four things:
- Album style — I offer several different styles of photo albums by custom bookbinders who work only with professional photographers (rather than direct to the consumer).
- Album size — Books are available from 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches up to 14 by 14, depending on the style you choose.
- Number of pages — Just like in a book, a page is one side of a leaf. If you select an odd number of pages, there will be a blank page at the end.
- Number of images — The price of each page includes one image. Additional images may be added, creating multi-image pages.
What is a “flush mount” album?
A flush mount album is one in which the print or photo is mounted “flush” with the edge of the page — for example, a 10×10 print would be mounted on a 10×10 page, with no border or frame. The print or photo may (and probably will) be a collage of many images, but it will be mounted in the book as one print, from edge to edge.
What is a “matted” album?
A matted album has an indiviual opening for each photograph on the page. For example, one page in a large matted album may feature one print up to 8×10 or several smaller prints, and each will be mounted individually in its own matte opening.
Can we remove the photos later?
No. All albums are permanently bound and prints are permanently mounted at the time of binding, as opposed the “slip-in” style of album in which the photos are added after the book is manufactured.
What is a “press-printed” album?
A press-printed album has pages printed on paper on a full-color digital printing press. The Asuka Hardcover photo book has heavy press-printed pages which are laminated for protection against damage, fingerprints, etc.
What are “photographic” prints and “archival pigment” prints?
Photographic prints are printed using the standard materials and chemicals we’ve used for color photos for years — Kodak, Fuji, etc. This process (RA-4) is used in the Finao One Flush Mount album. Archival pigment prints are made in house using pigment-based (as opposed to dye-based) inks and archival papers with a high-resolution, large format inkjet printer, producing a printed photograph rated to remain stable for 200 years or more in dark storage (as in an album). Think of it — your great, great, great, great, great, great, grandkids will actually be able to appreciate the color of your bouquet! The archival pigment process is used for all individual loose, matted and framed prints, as well as those bound in Leather Craftsmen Matted and Flush Mount albums.
What do we need to do to order our wedding album?
Send me a list of your favorite images from your wedding, along with your preference on size and style, and I will create a preliminary layout. You will receive a mockup of your album via email within 1-2 weeks, and you can suggest any changes to the images or the arrangement at that time. When the layout meets with your approval it will be printed and bound, and you will receive your finished book in 3-8 weeks, depending on the style and supplier.
How many photos should we choose?
That will be determined by your tastes and budget. I have created intimate books with dozen images, as well as multi-volume sets with over 300 “must have” photos. The average album contains 50-150 photos.
How many photos can fit on one page?
A good wedding album design usually has a variety of page styles — some that feature one or two photographs, while others may have many. I recommend not exceeding an average of 2-3 photos per page. For example, a 10 page album should have a maximum of 30 images, allowing for some pages to feature one important image and others to display a multi-image collage.
Yikes! We can’t choose! Can you help?
Yes — I love this! I would be more than happy to create an album design from my favorites. You can then suggest changes and replace images before we go to print. Let me know what style and size of album you prefer.
What if the album we like costs more than the credit in our photography package?
You may pay the difference, or we may bring the balance within your budget by reducing the number of pages/images and/or selecting a different size or style of album.
If we choose to upgrade, when is the balance due?
The balance is due at the time that the design is approved and we begin the printing/binding process.
Can we order more than one album?
Yes, and you will receive a discount for ordering multiple copies for parents, grandparents, etc. This applies even if the duplicates are not the same size or album style — for example you could order a 12×12 Finao One book for yourself, and we can adapt the layout to a 7×7 Asuka Hardcover book for moms and dads. Call or email for details.
Do we have to choose a wedding album?
No. You are more than welcome to use the value of any album or credit included in your coverage toward loose prints available in sizes from 4×6 through 12×18, or matted and framed gallery prints up to 16×20 finished size.
If we do that, can we purchase an album later?
Yes, as long as I’m still in business you may ask me to create a wedding album for you. The record so far has been 6 years from wedding to album! Please be aware that prices are subject to change — as my suppliers change prices, so must I.