p.2 #2 · First Wedding Album - Couple not Happy :( HELP
Hi, OP!
To me, an album is about story telling. You have to lead the eyes to go from spread to spread. When the layouts (the spread of the images on each page, the vignetting, the swirls, the brocade texture and all the other "designs") get in the way, it should be cut from the album. It doesn't add to the story. It's about their day; it's about the photographs of their day.
p.2 #3 · First Wedding Album - Couple not Happy :( HELP
+1 on the comments that say less is more. All my albums spreads use a mix of negative space and full bleed, all with no borders and white backgrounds. Nothing more. The whole point of the book is to tell the wedding day story. You did it through your pictures, so make them front and center -- borders, toning, text, etc. more often than not just detract from the story. Also, try to cut about 1/4 of the photos out of the book. Less is more!
p.2 #5 · First Wedding Album - Couple not Happy :( HELP
First of all, as someone who has had more than one album design trashed on this forum, take my advice with a grain of salt.
Take a breath and start over - all over - from the beginning. Think of the easiest, cleanest, and most elegant way to possibly tell this story - then do it. Keep in mind, it's not so much about fashion, keeping it simple, staying modern, etc. It's about recreating the memory of the day. The best way to do that is by using the power and impact of the photograph. Rather than concern yourself with what you can do to spice up their album design, just show the photos. Let your clients remember the day simply as it was. Fades, vignettes, swirls, overlays, odd crops, sepia toning, none of those things were present on the day and do nothing to add to the story. Stay consistent with your background color and B&W conversions. Stay consistent with how color and B&W images are presented on the same spread. Stay consistent with which images are presented together. For example, an entire spread of cake shots, finished off by a random fireworks shot? Lastly, please tell me they requested the text in the design. If so, then ok... but keep it understated. If that was your idea, nix it. I once had a bride request that I work their entire hand written vows into the album design and it was possibly the most awkward and difficult design I've ever had to do. In the end, they loved it - and that should be your goal. Take their words to heart and give them something they will love, regardless of how it fits your personal style. Who knows, maybe this experience will help to create your new style!
p.2 #6 · First Wedding Album - Couple not Happy :( HELP
it has been mentioned above
my album company would remind you that 5/8 quiet zone on all edges --draw temporary cut lines and make sure the backdrop design on the edges makes sense when cut - which can vary 1/4 to 3/8 inch.or more if you replicate your books into smaller books.etc
I use seamless center albums - called folded center design - where you can design through the center but still I keep faces off the center.
I estimate that 30% of my albums are either single pics on a side or single photograph full spread panos - ie, I tell the couple they want to see the best big -- they can always get smaller companion albums -- in other words -- do more single pic shots -- but you need great shots to do this - and two good shooters increases your chances
don't use black - use simple white or at most a meaningful backdrop from a photo that will not look crazy when they cut the album - and most important as a fabric of the THEME of the day -- otherwise use white
ouch man -- multiple hands cutting the cake. Never seen so many hands before. Hands are not usually a good thing to shoot or display. Shoot and display faces man ,,, expressions, expressions, expressions.
Juxtapose knockout doesn't work for these -- it would be rare, that Juxtapose would be dramatic in an album, and you only have so much real estate and your not popping someones eyes with those drop outs.
Mostly though - you need to forget the fashion background and just think about the couples treasures and their story with photos that deserve the size you position them throughout. Do a bit of photoshop art, but your art may not be their art, so keep it simple
I have them pick 3 times the number of photos as sides and I may recommend a dozen, Also, I coach them to not select distant friends in too many shots that they might not be friends with 20 years from now. This is their album for a lifetime and each page should be the WoWand the pop to them - and their friends should be saying WoW and the pages and panos should pop their eyes out -- also. You need to have tons of shooting to work from -- so always take with you an expereinced second shooter
I hope you didn't print this. Always get proof approval before printing. Shoot expressions, expressions, expressions in the future. Think about the album as you plan your shoot. The recessional can be dramatic but it is that 5 minutes in the back of the venue when the are celebrating that you should be blasting away on the celebration.
So give it another try - and let's take a look -- but get your couple involved in the planning. Start with those 30% of the album big shots you both agree too --position them -- and then fill in the 70% with what you both agree to -- to tell their story -- not yours.
it will make you better - we've all been there -- thanks for sharing
p.2 #7 · First Wedding Album - Couple not Happy :( HELP
First response was that it is not a very "dynamic" album. Not impressed with the coloring, image choices, or layout. I am sure all of this has been addressed by others.
