You've planned every little detail of your wedding, to what kind of favors to use at the reception and what kind of flowers you will carry. The ceremony was beautiful and you and your spouse just returned from a wonderful and relaxing honeymoon. Now it is time to start selecting the pictures for your wedding album. Here are some tips to help you make sense of everything and pick the best proofs.
Eliminating Stress: Who Should Go to the Appointment?
During the selection process, there could be an overwhelming amount of pictures. Remembering each photo and choosing the best ones can be difficult. Since a lot of photography is done digitally, many photographers will send you the pictures in a digital format so you can look through them at your own pace. Sometimes it may also be better to let the photographer help with your album. "We offer two options for choosing the photos in the album. Brides can pick out their own photos, or simply pick a few that they absolutely must have and let us pick out the rest. This can save time; and, as artists, we can help create a great album," says Elayne Mullenix of Through A Lens photography.
The Selection Process
Mullenix says that the number of pictures included in the final album is between 80 and 100. During the selection process, first weed out pictures such as the one where Aunt Mary's eyes are closed or ones where the guests have strange looks on their faces. As you go through the photos, make a list of the ones that catch your attention. Categorizing the pictures is essential; pick out several pictures that show different aspects of your wedding. Write down a list of categories, such as getting ready before the wedding, the ceremony, reception, saying goodbye, etc., to help you stay focused.
The Album
Once you have selected your proofs, don't lend them out. Something may happen to them, so tell your friends they need to be patient and wait for the actual album. Let the album you choose reflect your personality and taste. Photographers usually offer several different types of albums. "We offer coffee table and magazine style layouts, as well as traditional albums. The magazine layout is very popular. Using editing software, the photos are arranged and printed on the pages, instead of placing the actual photos in the album. The magazine layouts are very nice and allow the pictures to tell a story," says Mullenix. She also says that the most popular covers for traditional albums are leather or stainless metal with etching on the cover.
Above all, remember that your album will provide memories of your wedding that last for years to come. Take time to choose the pictures that will remind you of your happiness and tell a story of your love.
