How to Manage Your Clients' expectations for album length
photo by Deborah Zoe Photography
Hey guys! Align owner and pro photographer Melissa Jill here! It's safe to say that a client's wedding album is likely the first experience they've had with album design. They are relying on us, their photographer, for guidance throughout the process. I've found that it's key to manage their expectations early on -- starting with the initial client meeting before they even book me -- so that the album process is smooth and enjoyable for everyone involved.
There are many aspects in which to educate our client, but one that is key, is how many images they can expect to have in their album for the price they are paying. We as photographers are paying for an album based on the number of spreads or pages that are included. But the client is usually most concerned about the number of images and we need to make sure we are speaking their language but also covering our costs. This can be tricky! If we only talk about the number of spreads that are included in their album, the client will likely want to cram as many images as possible into the spreads allocated to them. And we all know -- this makes for a messy, cluttered, and less-than-ideal design.
This is how I've solved this issue and how I have learned to successfully manage my clients' expectations: The album I include in all of my packages includes 17 spreads (34 pages). I inform clients of this up front in the initial client meeting and let them know that with our design style, the 17 spreads will contain approximately 75 images. By defining the length of the album by spreads with an approximate number of images attached to it, I'm not tied to cramming a set number of images into a design. Our estimate of 75 images for 17 spreads is on the low end of the spectrum, so we generally end up with more than 75 images in the design and the client's expectations are exceeded.
Below is a helpful guide for estimating the number of images per spread that are included in Align's various design styles:
Classic Design Style: an average of 5 images/spread
Styled Design Style: an average of 5 images/spread
Simple Design Style: an average of 2-3 images/spread
We can of course customize for you and include more images per spread on average, but this is our ideal recommendation for a stunning design.
Regardless of which album design style you use, it is always wise to educate your clients up front on album length in a way they can easily understand (approximate number of images) while at the same time pricing your albums in a way that covers your costs (per spread).
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Hey guys! Align owner and pro photographer Melissa Jill here! It's safe to say that a client's wedding album is likely the first experience they've had with album design. They are relying on us, their photographer, for guidance throughout the process. I've found that it's key to manage their expectations early on -- starting with the initial client meeting before they even book me -- so that the album process is smooth and enjoyable for everyone involved.
There are many aspects in which to educate our client, but one that is key, is how many images they can expect to have in their album for the price they are paying. We as photographers are paying for an album based on the number of spreads or pages that are included. But the client is usually most concerned about the number of images and we need to make sure we are speaking their language but also covering our costs. This can be tricky! If we only talk about the number of spreads that are included in their album, the client will likely want to cram as many images as possible into the spreads allocated to them. And we all know -- this makes for a messy, cluttered, and less-than-ideal design.
This is how I've solved this issue and how I have learned to successfully manage my clients' expectations: The album I include in all of my packages includes 17 spreads (34 pages). I inform clients of this up front in the initial client meeting and let them know that with our design style, the 17 spreads will contain approximately 75 images. By defining the length of the album by spreads with an approximate number of images attached to it, I'm not tied to cramming a set number of images into a design. Our estimate of 75 images for 17 spreads is on the low end of the spectrum, so we generally end up with more than 75 images in the design and the client's expectations are exceeded.
Below is a helpful guide for estimating the number of images per spread that are included in Align's various design styles:
Classic Design Style: an average of 5 images/spread
Styled Design Style: an average of 5 images/spread
Simple Design Style: an average of 2-3 images/spread
We can of course customize for you and include more images per spread on average, but this is our ideal recommendation for a stunning design.
Regardless of which album design style you use, it is always wise to educate your clients up front on album length in a way they can easily understand (approximate number of images) while at the same time pricing your albums in a way that covers your costs (per spread).
If you found this post helpful and would like to receive tips like this straight to your inbox, click here to sign up!
And exciting news! If you're a photographer who wants to start offering albums without investing hours of guesswork and trial and error -- we have a solution for you! Check out the Album Start-Up Kit and start maximizing your profit today!
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Blog post written by: Melissa Jill
Blog post written by: Melissa Jill
Summer Seaside Wedding Album Design by Deborah Zoe Photography
Some album designs are sheer joy from start to finish, and today we're sharing one of those! This beautiful Cap Cod wedding was photographed by the talented Deborah Zoe Photography, and we love every bit of it, from the watercolor map on the invitation to the bride's heirloom dress to the dramatic sea vistas!
Deb is a fine art wedding & portrait photographer who prides herself on telling stories with her images. We've been working with Deborah since 2014, and she's no stranger to our blog! For some of her past designs, click here.
Here are photos Deb sent us of this KISS Books album with a Picket Fence leather cover:
Deb is a fine art wedding & portrait photographer who prides herself on telling stories with her images. We've been working with Deborah since 2014, and she's no stranger to our blog! For some of her past designs, click here.
Here are photos Deb sent us of this KISS Books album with a Picket Fence leather cover:
Click through the slideshow below to see the full album design:
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Design by: Andrea (View More) // Design style: Classic (View More) // Blog post written by: Alaine
Design by: Andrea (View More) // Design style: Classic (View More) // Blog post written by: Alaine
Nautical Marina Wedding Album Design by Deborah Zoe Photography
We're such fans of today's feature album design! This wedding was photographed at Nauticus Marina in Cap Cod by the amazing Deborah Zoe Photography, and it's full of romantic touches and New England seaside charm! Deb uses this album as a studio sample to show off her clean and elegant design style, which allows her beautiful images to speak for themselves!
Deb is a fine art wedding & portrait photographer who prides herself on telling stories with her images. For some words of wisdom from a photographer who sells albums well, read her guest post entitled Deborah Zoe on Educating Clients on the Importance of Albums.
Now onto today's beautiful design! Here are photos Deb sent us of this KISS Books album with a Ardesia leather cover:
Deb is a fine art wedding & portrait photographer who prides herself on telling stories with her images. For some words of wisdom from a photographer who sells albums well, read her guest post entitled Deborah Zoe on Educating Clients on the Importance of Albums.
Now onto today's beautiful design! Here are photos Deb sent us of this KISS Books album with a Ardesia leather cover:
To see some other designs we've made for Deborah, click here!
To view the full album design in its entirety, click through the slideshow below:
To view the full album design in its entirety, click through the slideshow below:
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Design by: Andrea (View More) // Design style: Simple (View More) // Blog post written by: Alaine
Design by: Andrea (View More) // Design style: Simple (View More) // Blog post written by: Alaine
Dreamy Seaside Resort Wedding Album Design for Deborah Zoe Photography
Oh boy, we sure do love it when a Deborah Zoe Photography wedding comes our way for album designing! (See previous ones here) And the one we're featuring here today was especially exciting because Deb ordered it as a sample album for her studio. So we got to work with some of her BEST images to create an album that showcases Deb's photography and album design style. It was a designer's dream!
Here are photos Deb sent us of the finished KISS Books album featuring a wedding held at a coastal resort in Maine. Enjoy the prettiness!
Here are photos Deb sent us of the finished KISS Books album featuring a wedding held at a coastal resort in Maine. Enjoy the prettiness!
To view the full album design in its entirety, click through the slideshow below:
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Design by: Andrea (View More) // Design style: Classic (View More) // Blog post written by: Denise
Design by: Andrea (View More) // Design style: Classic (View More) // Blog post written by: Denise
Romantic Massachusetts Wedding Album Design by Deborah Zoe Photography
Today's featured album design has us feeling all warm and fuzzy inside! This romantic Massachusetts wedding photographed by Deborah Zoe Photography is full of dreamy florals and decor, a beautiful outdoor setting, and a couple who have known each other since kindergarten. So sweet! Deb will be using this album as a studio sample to show off the clean and elegant design style that she loves -- using less images allows them all to shine!
For more album beauty from Deborah Zoe, check out this Stunning Boston Wedding's album design or this Sweet Massachusetts Barn Wedding's album design. And for some words of wisdom from a photographer who sells albums well, read her guest post called Deborah Zoe on Educating Clients on the Importance of Albums.
Now onto today's beautiful design! Here are photos Deb sent us of this KISS Books album with a Pelle leather cover....
For more album beauty from Deborah Zoe, check out this Stunning Boston Wedding's album design or this Sweet Massachusetts Barn Wedding's album design. And for some words of wisdom from a photographer who sells albums well, read her guest post called Deborah Zoe on Educating Clients on the Importance of Albums.
Now onto today's beautiful design! Here are photos Deb sent us of this KISS Books album with a Pelle leather cover....
To view the full album design, click through the slideshow below:
