| Your wedding day will probably be the most | | | | provide what I want and need? |
| glamorous day of your life. Have you ever | | | | · Some offer only finishing services, such |
| wondered what it might be like to be featured in | | | | as printing and binding only. |
| a glamour magazine, and be the subject of those | | | | · Some offer print only services on their |
| beautifully artistic photos that leap out at you | | | | selected paper, but require minimum print runs |
| while you're reading? When we refer to 'Magazine | | | | because of the cost to set up and prepare for |
| Style Photo Books" we are not referring to the | | | | the job. |
| construction of the book, but how the layout of | | | | · Some provide a few layout choices to |
| the book is actually designed - with elegance and | | | | drop your photos into, as well as several print |
| glamour in mind. The only way to obtain this | | | | mediums, from archival papers that are acid free, |
| uniquely creative look is to use a custom digital | | | | to Lab prints and metallic prints. |
| photo book publisher. | | | | · Some offer complete design services |
| The old days of having your photographer help | | | | that utilize the images provided to digitally produce |
| you choose selected lab prints and place them | | | | artistically elegant layouts that greatly enhance |
| artfully in an album is passé. It's time to | | | | and complement the photographer's specific style, |
| wake up and smell the "coffee" -- coffee table | | | | as well as the image's subject matter. They also |
| wedding photo books, that is. With the advent of | | | | offer choices of print medium, from archival |
| digital technology, many photographers are | | | | papers to metallic prints. |
| shooting with high-end digital cameras, or having | | | | It's okay to choose a custom photo book |
| their best negatives scanned into high resolution | | | | publishing company that works with both |
| digital images for inclusion into a digital wedding | | | | individuals and photographers, as long as they |
| photo album, which is then "printed" and | | | | treat their photographers and brides fairly. |
| professionally bound into a book. | | | | · Some publishers choose to work solely |
| Remember: Your digital wedding photo book | | | | through photographers, and all the control is in the |
| should be a reflection of you rather than the | | | | hands of the publisher. These publishers are not |
| publisher. It should emphasize who YOU are and | | | | set up to handle brides and grooms. Although |
| give YOU the glory. On the couple's wedding day, | | | | photographers and their couples may have ideas |
| the Bride and Groom should be featured as the | | | | and a vision of what they want, few publishing |
| "Princess and the Prince", and receive the adulation | | | | companies are willing to consider their suggestions |
| they deserve. Years from that special moment, | | | | and incorporate them accordingly. |
| you will want to be able to reflect and realize that | | | | · Others work with both the couple and |
| you fulfilled your dreams by creating an heirloom | | | | professional photographer. They tend to provide |
| fit for royalty. Not all of us can present ourselves | | | | the same standard arrangement to BOTH, |
| the way we wish we could be. A custom | | | | whereby they've established a certain look and |
| publisher can help give you that special reflection | | | | feel to the product that they offer. Sadly, this |
| that you desire. When shopping for a publisher, | | | | type of arrangement does not allow much input |
| choose one that will bring out the best in you | | | | from the bride and groom, and limits choices. |
| both, by making your book unique and one of a | | | | · Then there are the custom design digital |
| kind. If they can't accommodate, find one that will. | | | | photo book publishing companies that provide |
| Choose a photo book publisher that: | | | | extensive custom design services. Since the |
| · Can truly customize designs around | | | | books are custom designed from start to finish, |
| YOUR captured moments and desires. | | | | and the design process is not even begun until all |
| · Has strong graphic design experience, | | | | the elements of the book are considered, ALL |
| which should be reflected in their online galleries or | | | | parties are assured their book will be unique and |
| provided samples. These companies, which use | | | | one of a kind. This type of company often |
| graphic design techniques, allow you more | | | | provide not only scanning of photo and negative |
| flexibility when you desire both traditional and | | | | services, but color correction, image repair, black |
| photo journalistic styles of photography. They also | | | | and white colorization, extensive image enhancing |
| help bring out the best in your photographer. | | | | and manipulation, graphic design incorporating the |
| · Provides personalized coordinating and | | | | images submitted, and original writing services for |
| consulting services, and is flexible to your time | | | | inclusion in the book. |
| schedule and needs. Check to see if they are | | | | What are some other reasons I should choose a |
| willing to call you, rather than you calling them. | | | | custom design photo book publishing company? |
| · Can provide professional writing | | | | · The finished product provided by a |
| services, so you can receive the benefit of | | | | custom photo book limited edition publisher allows |
| professional annotation, poetry, or essay writing | | | | photographers and couples to present vastly |
| as needed. This is essential if you want to write | | | | different examples of their work or favorite |
| your own love story, but would like the assistance | | | | photos. No longer are couples or photographers |
| of a professional writer to smooth the edges. Or | | | | creatively restricted. |
| if you're planning to write your Memoirs - How I | | | | · Once a book is produced, should a |
| survived preparing for my wedding!. | | | | photographer desire, they can request that |
| · Respects the professional | | | | specific stylized design be utilized for all future |
| photographers' work and insists on receiving a | | | | clients. Combined with the consistent creative look |
| signed release from them prior to any work being | | | | of a photographer's images, this can help establish |
| done. | | | | a "design signature" and help make his or her |
| · When a Professional Photographer's | | | | work more recognizable. |
| work is being used, provides a Professional | | | | · Often, a custom graphic design publisher |
| Photographer Referral Program, which ensures | | | | works so closely with photographers and their |
| they will get credit for their work. This type of | | | | couples, that it frees up busy photographers to |
| program often provides a photographer greater | | | | allow them to do what they do best...photography! |
| participation flexibility, as well as needed marketing | | | | · From a bride and groom's standpoint, |
| and customer service support. | | | | there are so many benefits to working with a |
| Why use a Professional Photographer for your | | | | custom digital photo book publisher, as they |
| custom digital coffee table magazine style | | | | specialize in personalization and provide high |
| wedding photo book? | | | | creativity which greatly complements a |
| · Not all photographers shoot the same. | | | | photographer's work. The couple receives the |
| Many have spent years learning and perfecting | | | | benefit of working closely with a designer |
| their craft. Use their experience to help make | | | | consultant who listens to their wants and desires, |
| your dream book a reality. | | | | which helps determine the visual or emotional feel |
| · Each imbues his or her talent and eye | | | | of the book. Will the book consist solely of |
| for creativity and part of their soul directly into | | | | imagery to evoke the emotion? Or will words be |
| each photo taken. | | | | used to help bring out the design's subtle meaning |
| · Many photographers' work is so good | | | | or add a touch of history or romance? |
| as to be considered an art form, and this is why | | | | Society has come a long way from the days |
| they zealously guard their art from duplication. | | | | when the first Professional Cave Artists |
| They have a legitimate concern with the advent | | | | painstakingly drew their wedding couples' images |
| of digital publishing, especially now that negatives | | | | on the rocky walls of their galleries by the light of |
| and photos can be so easily scanned and | | | | their fires. The future is looking much brighter with |
| duplicated. So, please give credit where credit is | | | | the advent of the digital wedding photo book |
| due. | | | | albums being designed today. The good news for |
| How can I tell if the publishing company can | | | | bride and grooms is that now there is a choice. |