:wow Thanks for the heads up--I'm a bit of a newbie still! I'm a little embarrassed having asked that question but I suppose its better finding that out here than in the real world i suppose
Fortunately, the wedding wasn't a professional gig by any means (it was more of a favor to some friends who were really on a tight budget) but it's good to know for future reference if I were to keep doing more weddings!
Don't be embarrassed, there is no shame in asking questions, how else you're going to know?
When you make pro albums, make sure company you are dealing with is not an open source to everyone, just a pro photographers.
I'm a huge fan on Finao. They allow me to build really unique albums that I can't find elsewhere, and the quality is amazing, and the customer service is top notch.
I recently ordered my first album with Black River Imaging. Basically, I was searching for cost-effective, yet still classy product for children and family portrait sessions. For my test album, I ordered a gift for my friend's mother of their recent bride and groom shoot I did.
8x8 Press Book
I believe it ended up being 32 sides
Cafe au Lait fabric cover
Hinged seam
Linen matte pages
6 Color Printing upgrade
Added the silver presentation box upgrade
2 Day shipping upgrade
Total about $75
I was very pleased with the product and thought it was a nice value for what I was getting. I think the ideal uses for this particular book would be family/children portraits, parent albums and possibly albums for brides that can't afford a fancy leather flush mount album.
i'm working on my first ever album, not for a client though but for my own as a sample/demo album. my question is, do you guys know any album vendor that gives discounts for sample albums?
i'm working on my first ever album, not for a client though but for my own as a sample/demo album. my question is, do you guys know any album vendor that gives discounts for sample albums?
TIA
I thought that just about every album company will give a discount for studio samples, no? I know for a fact that the good people over at Finao do - new one being deliver on Wednesday!
I thought that just about every album company will give a discount for studio samples, no? I know for a fact that the good people over at Finao do - new one being deliver on Wednesday!
cool! i guess it's about time to give these vendors a call.
So can I ask how much everyone marks up their albums? How much do you charge the client? I haven't done albums in the past but have been thinking of offering it as a part of my package when lo and behold a potential client want to book me for their wedding but insists on an album. How much should I mark something up. If the album costs $300-$400 to make ...what do I charge the client?
So can I ask how much everyone marks up their albums? How much do you charge the client? I haven't done albums in the past but have been thinking of offering it as a part of my package when lo and behold a potential client want to book me for their wedding but insists on an album. How much should I mark something up. If the album costs $300-$400 to make ...what do I charge the client?
Not to get into all of my pricing formulas and all that complicated stuff that I've worked out, but I sell a 20 page 10x10 flush mount from Finao for $1270. That is based on a 33% cost of goods. One huge key to pricing albums is to remember to include the time that you spend designing the album and interfacing with the client in your cost! The album has a much greater cost than just the material cost from you album company.
So this thread started in 2009 and much of course has changed... The options are almost too many, fortunately with some honest reviews on the Internet, each company having their pluses and minuses... I see that Smug mug also has Zookie Pro and Zoho...
My question is... where are we? I am not a Pro, I just want to have a photo Album [60 photos] and I am not concerned if it will sell or not. My main concern is the quality and duplication of the photos themselves.
Just thought I would ask if anyone is still following this...
Thank You.
Stay well.
Ara
So this thread started in 2009 and much of course has changed... The options are almost too many, fortunately with some honest reviews on the Internet, each company having their pluses and minuses... I see that Smug mug also has Zookie Pro and Zoho...
My question is... where are we? I am not a Pro, I just want to have a photo Album [60 photos] and I am not concerned if it will sell or not. My main concern is the quality and duplication of the photos themselves.
Just thought I would ask if anyone is still following this...
Thank You.
Stay well.
Ara
Hi Ara,
I produce a lot of photo books for clients using Blurb who are partners with Adobe. The function for building the Blurb books are integrated in the Lightroom Book tab. They produce an electronic preview which my clients can review, and which I also use to show prospective clients my work. I get large, hard-bound books and the quality has been excellent.
Recently I needed a formal lay-flat wedding album for another client and for this I used Bay Photo, since they are local to me and of course they're partnered with Smugmug. I got the their Pacific album. Unfortunately I'm having issues with the album and their support and can't recommend them at this point.
So this thread started in 2009 and much of course has changed... The options are almost too many, fortunately with some honest reviews on the Internet, each company having their pluses and minuses... I see that Smug mug also has Zookie Pro and Zoho...
My question is... where are we? I am not a Pro, I just want to have a photo Album [60 photos] and I am not concerned if it will sell or not. My main concern is the quality and duplication of the photos themselves.
Just thought I would ask if anyone is still following this...
Thank You.
Stay well.
Ara
The market is extremely diverse these days, so you'll have to be a little more specific about what type of book / album you're looking for. A simple photo book can be had with great quality from Blurb, but a true wedding album with a leather cover and oldschool, mat-board-like pages is another thing entirely and many labs only do business with working pros.
Maybe elaborate a little bit more on what type of cover and pages you're looking for? Got any pics of other books from around the internet that might help?
Comments
Don't be embarrassed, there is no shame in asking questions, how else you're going to know?
When you make pro albums, make sure company you are dealing with is not an open source to everyone, just a pro photographers.
www.intruecolors.com
Nikon D700 x2/D300
Nikon 70-200 2.8/50 1.8/85 1.8/14.24 2.8
Yes they do, I believe it is 40% off for sample albums. The Aperture templates are so easy to use and quality is top notch
Complete Gear List Here
Complete Gear List Here
I use Fundy Album Builder - works in Photoshop, really great stuff. You can actually use it for any album company.
www.tednghiem.com
8x8 Press Book
I believe it ended up being 32 sides
Cafe au Lait fabric cover
Hinged seam
Linen matte pages
6 Color Printing upgrade
Added the silver presentation box upgrade
2 Day shipping upgrade
Total about $75
I was very pleased with the product and thought it was a nice value for what I was getting. I think the ideal uses for this particular book would be family/children portraits, parent albums and possibly albums for brides that can't afford a fancy leather flush mount album.
I like the fact that these are photographic prints mounted to the pages and not press printed pages. I think the quality is far superior.
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
Which style book did you do? I think they also have press printed books, no?
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
www.tednghiem.com
TIA
my blog site
my fb page
I thought that just about every album company will give a discount for studio samples, no? I know for a fact that the good people over at Finao do - new one being deliver on Wednesday!
I did the Mosaic album with duo-leather cover using black on black textures. The quality is superb. Happy customer here.
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
cool! i guess it's about time to give these vendors a call.
thanks!
my blog site
my fb page
http://www.tanyastafford.com
http://www.tanyastaffordblog.com
Twitter
Facebook
I'll agree with that! Photo prints trump a press print.
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
Not to get into all of my pricing formulas and all that complicated stuff that I've worked out, but I sell a 20 page 10x10 flush mount from Finao for $1270. That is based on a 33% cost of goods. One huge key to pricing albums is to remember to include the time that you spend designing the album and interfacing with the client in your cost! The album has a much greater cost than just the material cost from you album company.
Here's a link to a great (free) ebook on the subject of selling albums
http://www.fundysos.com/ebook/
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
My question is... where are we? I am not a Pro, I just want to have a photo Album [60 photos] and I am not concerned if it will sell or not. My main concern is the quality and duplication of the photos themselves.
Just thought I would ask if anyone is still following this...
Thank You.
Stay well.
Ara
My Gallery in progress...
On the road, homeless, with my buddy Spirit...
I produce a lot of photo books for clients using Blurb who are partners with Adobe. The function for building the Blurb books are integrated in the Lightroom Book tab. They produce an electronic preview which my clients can review, and which I also use to show prospective clients my work. I get large, hard-bound books and the quality has been excellent.
Recently I needed a formal lay-flat wedding album for another client and for this I used Bay Photo, since they are local to me and of course they're partnered with Smugmug. I got the their Pacific album. Unfortunately I'm having issues with the album and their support and can't recommend them at this point.
Link to my Smugmug site
The market is extremely diverse these days, so you'll have to be a little more specific about what type of book / album you're looking for. A simple photo book can be had with great quality from Blurb, but a true wedding album with a leather cover and oldschool, mat-board-like pages is another thing entirely and many labs only do business with working pros.
Maybe elaborate a little bit more on what type of cover and pages you're looking for? Got any pics of other books from around the internet that might help?
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum