Hi, Seniors! Album Info
You'll want to keep yours out on the coffee table to show off!
Quality and color-fast printing will withstand decades of appreciation.
Album Info
here is all the info!
I'm SOOO excited to get your photos into a book and into your hands!!!
Phrases like "heirloom," "archival quality" and "lasts for generations"- sounds gimmicky, what do they mean?
I'm with you, I'm done with hype.
If you are in my home with your eyes and hands on my family albums comparing my early 2000s Shutterfly albums with our recently printed family albums, you would immediately be able to tell the difference! (Our Shutterfly albums, bindings have loosened, pages are bent. Flimsy. They hold and feel like cheap, well-loved children's books from the thrift store; even hardbound Little Golden Books would have been a step up.)
What the above phrases mean:
Ink used- true fade-resistant color. Stuff like this seems like it should be this way anyway. Who knew getting correct, colorfast colors can be a gamble?!
Not only do I have 10-20 year old albums from Shutterfly and such to compare with, I did a test by ordering identical prints from Walgreens & my lab. I compared colors, and I left them near the window for a spell. I've noticed through the years Walgreens/Walmart can be hit or miss on color (note: they can truly be decent prints! This can vary by location depending on printer calibration), but they will likely fade- they are not fade-resistant. When you want to buy them once, leave them for up decades and be able to keep them in the family, a professional print lab is ideal. (texture note, one hour prints feel "squeaky," as someone who hates the feel of squeaky clean dishes from the dishwasher like fingernails on a chalkboard, this is a no-go for me)
Sturdy construction- albums from quality labs can take some love. Pages stay intact, the hard binding protects (and holds together through the years!). The default classic album has magazine pages, which have served me well through the years (even raising a family). You may also choose to upgrade to double thick layflat pages (optional), these spreads feel luxury and hold up like a beast.
You get the peace of mind you get knowing your memories will hold up a long time!
an Album is another way to backup your photos
What are the albums like?
All albums are designed by Courtney- you do not need to mess with tedious consumer album sites (story time- I have abandoned so many album projects before I had professional tools and I ordered from Shutterfly, Mixedbooks, and such! It took SOOO much finagling to make albums online on consumer sites. But you won't have to!!!)
I take this task from your "good intentions" list to a physical book to show off to grandparents and display at your graduation party!
Classic albums are ordered with standard magazine pages, 8x8" or 8x10", with embossed cover writing & come with 50 photos.
When ordering an album, I send over an easy questionnaire where you choose features (examples shown below). Optional upgrades include additional photos or layflat pages.
I keep costs as low as I can on albums, I truly want this to be an easy YES to help you take your photos off your hard drives into an album you can revisit and treasure.
As your scroll down you will find specific album examples (with photos!)
Classic Portrait Albums
These are the "default" album offered, it's also what MY daughter has for her grad album!
This will likely be your album (unless you wish for layflat pages)
This is the most popular album.
Includes: hard cover with cloth, leatherette or vintage leather cover, 50 images, magazine style pages, embossing, and optional photo on cover.
8x8" or 8x10"
$299
Scroll down the page to see spec options (like font and cover options), and album examples!
*Would you like any duplicate albums (identical friends- same exact size and design) for additional parents or grandparents? Save $100 each
*Free Continental US shipping
Layflat pages
Option: thicker, layflat pages. Layflat albums open 180° flat without a center gutter or crease. Increased durability, easy, hands-free viewing experience, luxurious feel. Genuine leather is also an options with layflat albums.
+$100 ($399 with 50 photos)
Additional Photo Pages
Your album will display 50 photos, additional photos optional! $1 per image with a classic album, $3 per image with a layflat album ($15 minimum)
How To Order an Album
Step One
Choose as an add-on when you book your session, or contact me at any time.
I’ll email you an easy, multiple-choice design questionnaire to ensure your album reflects your style perfectly. This is where you decide cover, font, size, etc.
Step Two
Make a favorites list of all the pics you want in your album! This helps us both immensely- we both will know the photos that really grab your heart make the cut!
Once ready, I email you a link to the proof to check over. Looking awesome? It goes to print!
Step Three
Show off your album to everyone! Grandma will want to see this! (or order her a copy, too!) Leave out on your coffee table to revisit. Display at your grad party.
all albums- cover materials:
brown fabric
black fabric
sage fabric
champage fabric with shimmer
teal fabric
navy fabric with shimmer
dusty pink fabric
cream fabric with shimmer
brown vintage, vegan leather. Soft to touch
black vintage, vegan leather. Soft to touch
Camel vintage, vegan leather. Soft to touch
black leatherette (PU)
slate leatherette (PU)
merlot leatherette (PU)
brown leatherette (PU)
All albums- Font & embossing options:
classic font, rose gold embossing
modern font, black embossing
classic font, silver embossing
classic font, gold embossing
Lay-flat album only upgrade options
genuine black leather $25
genuine brown leather $25
round corners $25
Album FAQs
Are there more album sizes available?
A.8x8 and 8x10 sizes are really the best experience all around: to hold, shelf, display, as well as page design and cost.
A 5x7" layflat album is available by request. It displays 20 photos and is also the same price to print as the 8x8/8x10.
The 10x10" is a +$100 upgrade.
What is the difference between magazine and layflat pages?
A.The Classic album pages have a modern, book-like feel with flexible, lustre pages like a magazine.
The Layflat album features thick, sturdy spreads that open flat, allowing images to flow beautifully across both pages.
Why might I want layflat pages instead of magazine pages?
A.Think of baby board books vs kid books: assuming you'll keep your album up from babies and toddlers, regular pages are typically great.
Here is when I will recommend a layflat book:
1. Weddings
2. Group gatherings when you want group photos printed across both pages (the entire spread)
3. When you want to uplevel your album to something a bit more luxurious
4. Families with young children
Do I need the upgrades to have a nice album?
A.You need ZERO album upgrades to have a beautiful keepsake to show off and revisit your favorite pictures!!!
Rounded corners? genuine leather? Absolutely top notch, don't get me wrong, but totally non- essential.
These albums look and feel great at every level, which is why they are some of my most favorites. My #1 goal is to help make it easy for your photos to also have a home off the hard drive, in print!
Truth- my daughter's grad album is the 8x10" teal fabric album with magazine pages, pictured below. We added her first name to the cover. That's it! So simple. It's FULL of all her favorite photos, and we LOVE it!!!
Album Examples
grad, 8x10", teal cover, classic font with gold emboss
magazine pages
grad, 8x8", merlot leatherette cover, classic font with gold emboss
magazine pages
grad, 8x8", black vintage leather cover, classic font with gold emboss
magazine pages
Last pic: Album with photo cover
layflat with photo, Shown with vintage vegan black leather with photo, modern font, gold emboss, layflat pages (double thick pages with seamless middle, no "gutter")
Gallery-Wrapped Canvas
with or without a frame
Canvas
Ready to hang with hanging wire installed
Hand stretched fabric on a solid wooden frame
1.5" thick
A framed 20x30" canvas is $299; smaller and larger sizes are available with a generous 25% discount when ordering multiple pieces.
Story time- I purchased "canvas" from a cheap online site like the Canvas People or such like 10 years ago. After starting my business and learning about quality, I inspected my art- it was literally built like a pizza box! No actual canvas, no frame. I disassembled one of them, it was- for real- like a cardboard pizza box with a picture on it that I had put on my wall. SOOOOO CRAZY
Q: Where do I start with wall art?
A: First figure out the space where you want photo(s). What size(s)/how many photos fit? (sometimes this is easy, sometimes it's a project. You're welcome to send a photo and ask me what I think)
Next, decide the presentation: canvas or behind glass?
Consumer Sites I Recommend
for DIY
Smallwoods
Mpix
Artifact Uprising
Hobby Lobby wall frames (on sale every other week)
***sometimes DIY means "good intentions." If you're someone who likes to DIY and will actually get it ordered and up, YOU'RE MY HERO! Most of us need a little help :)
Prints
You may order professional prints from your gallery, shipped directly to you (or your loved ones)!
This makes printing your pics fast and easy.
Start by clicking "print store," the shopping cart icon, or the shopping bag icon in your gallery. These will guide you through the process!
above: lovely & reusable packaging; thick, layflat pages
bottom left: 10x10, 8x10, and 8x8 sizes, cover options: photo, fabric, vegan leather
below: 8x8 parent album with photo cover and vegan leather
bottom right: standard magazine pages (shown from inside of my daughter's teal album)
