How to order a photo album in 5 easy steps: a wedding photographer’s guide 

As a professional photographer, your goal is to capture the most important moments of your client’s special day. A beautifully designed photo album is the perfect way to preserve and showcase these memories for years to come. Crafting an album that tells the story of their day is an art in itself, and we’re here to make that process as simple and seamless as possible.

Here’s a step by step guide on how to order a luxury album that will perfectly reflect the joy, love, and excitement of their big day: 

Step 1: Understand your client’s vision for their wedding album

Before you begin the design process, it’s crucial to understand what your clients want from their album. Do they want a traditional album that focuses on key moments like the ceremony and reception, or do they prefer something more creative, with candid shots and behind the scenes moments?

Schedule a consultation with your clients to discuss their preferences, which moments are most important to them, and any specific images they want highlighted. This will help guide your design decisions and ensure the album tells their story in the way they envision.

Step 2: Choose the perfect photo album style and finish

Once you have a clear understanding of your client’s vision, head to our online shop on the Folio website to select the album style that best fits their preferences. We offer a range of album styles, each handcrafted with the highest quality materials to ensure a timeless keepsake:

• Fine Art Albums: A classic, elegant option with archival-quality paper, perfect for couples who want a luxurious, long-lasting album.
• Matted Albums: For a more sophisticated touch, these albums feature framed prints that add depth and elegance to each photo.
• Everyday Albums: A simpler, yet beautiful option that works for couples looking for a more minimalist and sleek design.

Choose the size, paper, and cover material (leather, fabric, or other options) that best complements their style. You can even personalise the album with suitable customisable methods such as embossing, foiling, or even 22 carat gold. 

Step 3: Select key moments to tell the story

Now that the style is chosen, it’s time to select the favourite key moments and images that will tell the story of their special day. To ensure you create a well-balanced album that tells the complete story of your client’s day, consider using this tried and true formula. For a 25-spread album with 100 images, we recommend the following image distribution:

• Venue Shots: 4 images to set the scene.
• Bridal Prep: 8 images showcasing the bride getting ready.
• Groom Prep: 8 images highlighting the groom’s preparations.
• First Look: 4 images capturing the emotional first glance.
• Ceremony: 8 images of key ceremony moments.
• Couple Portraits: 10 images that highlight their connection and love.
• Group Shots: 10 images featuring family, friends and loved ones.
• Reception Details: 12 images of décor, speeches, and cake.
• Dance Floor: 16 images capturing the fun and energy of the celebration.

This formula creates a balanced, visually appealing album that tells the full story of the day.

Step 4: Design the album

This is where you can really bring your client’s day to life. You have two main options for designing the album, depending on your workflow preferences.

Option 1: Use our free album design service

If you’re short on time or simply want to ensure your album is professionally designed with minimal effort, you can take advantage of our free design service. Here’s how it works:

• Upload your images: Head to our online designer, create a new project, and upload the digitals you’ve selected for the album.
• Share design notes: Provide any specific design requests or instructions you have, such as layout preferences or the number of images per spread.
• Let us handle it: Our expert design team will create a beautiful, cohesive album layout that tells the complete story of your client’s day.

Our design service ensures that every image is placed thoughtfully to create a seamless flow of events.

Option 2: Design it yourself

For photographers who prefer a hands-on approach, you can design the album yourself using our design tool or a third-party software like Fundy or Pixellu. Here’s what you need to know:

• Choose your software: Use our design tool, which is pre-loaded with templates, or design software you’re already familiar with.
• Follow our guidelines: Make sure your images are in sRGB color profile, saved as JPGs at 300dpi for the best print quality.
• Upload your design: Once the layout is complete, upload the files to our system, and we’ll take it from there.

Step 5: Review and finalise the album

Once the design is complete, review the album carefully before placing your order. Double-check the cover material, paper type, and any personalised details like embossing or colour selections. Make sure the layout flows well, telling the story of the day from start to finish, capturing all the special moments that matter to your clients.

When you’re satisfied with the design, proceed to checkout and finalise the order. We’ll handle the rest, crafting a stunning, high-quality album that your clients will treasure for years to come.

Once your order is placed, you’ll receive regular email and text updates at every stage of the handcrafting process. Our Fine Art Albums are typically completed within 10 working days, while our Matted Albums take around 15 working days. To make things even easier, we offer direct drop shipping to your clients, ensuring their album arrives promptly without the hassle of shipping it yourself. You can count on us to keep you informed every step of the way, providing a smooth and worry-free experience.

Ready to Order? Let’s Get Started!

It’s easy to begin! If you’re new to our service, simply register for an account on our website. From there, we offer personalised support to guide you through every step. Book a Zoom consultation with our Sales Manager, Milly, to explore album options, customisation details and get answers to any questions you may have. If you’re designing the album yourself, we also provide zoom demos of our design software to help you create professional layouts with ease. Plus, our Client Experience Team is always on hand to offer exceptional support throughout the process, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience. Register today and let’s get started!