Photo Albums

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Finding or Creating Great Photo Albums

With digital cameras today, we have many options for preserving and sharing our photos including: online photo sharing sites, digital photo albums, and picture frames among others.

These options can be convenient, space saving, and an excellent backup for digital photos, but there's nothing like having a printed photograph in your hands. Picture frames are great for portraits of loved ones that you want present and on display at all times but traditional photo albums are generally the best option for the rest.

Use the table of contents below to find what you want on this page quickly.

Learn More About Making a Photo Album
Software to Help Create Photos for Your Album
Storing Your Photo Album

more...

The Advantages of Photo Albums

Although sometimes shunned as being somewhat time consuming to create or perhaps a bit of a space hog, photo albums have a number of positive traits that make them a good choice even in the face of some great digital competition.

A nicely designed photo album adds to the presentation of the photos; a baby's photo album has a special feel with pastel colors and soft coverings while a satin covered wedding album recreates memories of the ceremony even prior to opening the pages.

A photo album provides quick and easy access to your photographs at all times. No worries with a crashed computer, a poor connection, or a slow site. No limitation based on the number of photos that can be placed in the slide show on your digital picture frame.

A photo album also adds to the sense of leisure that allows you to share and reminisce with others. It's much easier to gather around an album on the sofa than around a screen at a desk.

A photo album is generally quite affordable even for those on a limited budget.

A photo album protects your photographs well. If the album selected meets the ANSI standards and has the appropriate coverings, pictures should be protected for many years to come without fading or staining. In fact, many printer manufacturers indicate that even photos printed at home can now last 75 to 100 years.

Using a photo album to display photos allows users to add even more personality to their collections through creative designing.

How to Choose a Photo Album

Certainly, photo albums come in many designs. Which cover is most appropriate depends on the purpose for the album and the personality of the owner. Wedding albums certainly differ from typical family photo albums, and baby photo albums are distinctly unique.

Ringed photo albums and those with posts offer the best ability to expand the album while spiral bound albums and those with book-like binding are often attractive and durable.

There are however more critical things to consider; the materials used in the construction of the photo album itself determine how well your photographs will survive over time.

The material in the pages and any coverings should pass Photographic Activity Test (PAT) standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Any plastic making contact with the photographs should be non-PVC plastics as PVC plastics produce an acid which destroys photos. Non-PVC plastic covers are recommended to protect photographs from environmental damage and oils from human skin.

Any paper pages should be non-acidic and lignin-free.

Cotton paper is preferred.

Pages with adhesive are not ideal as the adhesive will discolor and fail over time and potentially cause deterioration of the photo itself.

"Corners" are preferred over other adhesives as a method of securing photos.

Laying Out Your Photo Album

There are many ways of designing a photo album and only a few rules to observe.

It is best to write any captions, dates, or other information on the page versus on the photograph itself.

As stated above, corners are preferred over applying adhesive directly to any photographs.

Plan ahead. Determining how you want to lay things out in advance helps avoid the difficult and sometimes damaging process of rearranging later.

Be sure any photographs printed at home have dried thoroughly. (allow several hours at a minimum)

Avoid touching the photos as much as possible as the oil in your skin can cause deterioration.

Learn More About Making a Photo Album

Get the Design Ideas You Need

How To Make a Photo Album

by: Quick Easy Guides

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

The Art and Craft of Keepsake Photography: Engagements & Weddings: How to Take Perfect Photos and Make Perfect Invitations, Announcements, Albums, Thank ... More (Art & Craft of Keepsake Photography)

by: Barbara Smith

Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 12/19/2009)

Make Your Own Digital Photo Scrapbook: How to Turn Your Digital Photos into Fun for All Your Friends and Family

by: Ivan Hissey

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

The Make Extra Money, Affiliate Marketing, Salesmanship for Handcrafted Photo Albums Businesses

by: J Bowman J Orr

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

Crafting Beautiful Journals & Albums: How to Personalize, Embellish & Make Diaries & Scrapbooks

by: Anna Morgan

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

Software to Help Create Photos for Your Album

Corel Photo Album 7 Deluxe

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

Photo Explosion Deluxe 4.0

Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

Zoom Album Three 3x3" Photo Covers Kit

Amazon Price: $26.96 (as of 12/19/2009)

Photo Explosion 4.0

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

Family Photo Album

Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 12/19/2009)

Storing Your Photo Album

Once your photographs are safely mounted in your photo album you will be determining where to store the album. Just a few quick tips can help assure the safety of your photos:

Light, heat, humidity, and exposure to pollution and water can damage photographs. Therefore, these items should not be stored in attics where temperatures rise readily. Basements are also a poor choice due to the increased humidity and higher risk of exposure to water.

Closets are a good option as they tend to be cool, dry, and dark.

How to Create a Photo Album

For Those Who Prefer the Digital Method

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automatically generated by YouTube"

Baby Photo Album

Bound Photo Albums

Pioneer Full Size Post Bound, Clear Pocket Photo Album with Memo Area, holds 300 4" x 6" Photos 3 Up, Solid Color Cover with Gold Trim, Color: Black.

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

CR Gibson Bound Photo Journal Album with Space for Journaling and CD Storage Pocket, LuLu,

Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 12/19/2009)

Pioneer MB-10CBFSAGE 12-by-12-Inch Frame-Cover Memory Book, Sage Green

Amazon Price: $23.14 (as of 12/19/2009)

My World: Tres Chic Boutique: My Place for Doddles, Daydreams, Photos, Keepsakes, and More! (Hardcover, Spiral Bound; Photo Album/scrapbook)

by: Furio Home

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

New Hudson ocean blue cloth 3-up book-bound album by Kolo

Amazon Price: $45.00 (as of 12/19/2009)

Wedding Photo Album

Malden Wedding Metallic Ribbon Photo Album

Embossed Photo Albums

Medici Italian Leather Photo Album / Wedding Album / Scrapbook, Embossed Art, 8x10"

Amazon Price: $63.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

K & Co ANCESTRY 12X12 BROWN BONDED LEATHER EMBOSSED Postbound Scrapbook Photo Album

Amazon Price: $21.55 (as of 12/19/2009)

Pioneer Italian Embossed Bound Photo Album, Random Solid Color Sewn Leatherette Covers with Gold Accent, Holds 208 4" x 6" Photos, 2 Per Page

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/19/2009)

Embossed Leaves Photo Album - Natural

Amazon Price: $6.98 (as of 12/19/2009)

Art-Nouveau Leather Photo Album, Wedding Album, Scrapbook, Green and Gold Accent, Gift Boxed, 9.5x12"

Amazon Price: $279.95 (as of 12/19/2009)

Kids Photo Album

Antique Look Photo Albums

Antique Early Victorian Red Velvet Photo Album w/ Brass Corners and Latch

Photo Albums - Flip-Style with Pedestal, Fleur de Lis Design and Dark Cherry and Antique Gold Finish (Set of 3 , 1 of each designs) From CBK Home

Amazon Price: $76.79 (as of 12/19/2009)

Hand Made Look Photo Album

Genuine Leather Documenter Photo Album - Hand made in the USA, Dark Brown / Saddle

Leather Photo Album

Flip Photo Albums

Ringed Photo Albums

Pioneer SBX-12W Leatherette 12-by 12-Inch 3-Ring Memory Book with Inset Frame and Ribbon Closure, Ivory

Amazon Price: $25.30 (as of 12/19/2009)

Pioneer Classic 3 Ring Photo Album with Assorted Colored and Designs Covers, Holds 504 4" x 6" Photos, 3 Per Page.

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

MBI Library Collection 3 Ring Photo Album with Solid Color Cover with Gold Trim, Holds 400 4" x 6" Photos, 5 Per Page, 3 Horizontal and 2 Vertical

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

Pioneer 12-Inch by 12-Inch Black Italian Memory Binder

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

Pioneer Refill Pages for 3-Ring Photo Albums, holds 4" x 6" Photos, Pack of 5 Pages.

Amazon Price: $2.75 (as of 12/19/2009)

Spiral Bound Photo Album

Pioneer Bi-Directional Spiral Bound Photo Album, Solid Color Cover with Gold Trim, Holds 300 4" x 6" Photos, 3 Per Page, Color: Bay Blue.

Amazon Price: $12.50 (as of 12/19/2009)

Pioneer Bi-Directional Spiral Bound Photo Album, Designer Mulberry Covers, Holds 300 4" x 6" Photos, 3 Per Page

Amazon Price: $8.29 (as of 12/19/2009)

My World: Tres Chic Boutique: My Place for Doddles, Daydreams, Photos, Keepsakes, and More! (Hardcover, Spiral Bound; Photo Album/scrapbook)

by: Furio Home

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

My Life as a Baby (Record Keeper Photo Albums)

by: Virginia Reynolds

Amazon Price: $8.63 (as of 12/19/2009)

Pioneer Bi-Directional Spiral Bound Photo Album, Solid Color Cover with Gold Trim, Holds 300 4" x 6" Photos, 3 Per Page Color: Black.

Amazon Price: $12.50 (as of 12/19/2009)

Pocket Photo Albums

Digital Foci PAD-280 Deluxe OLED 2.8-Inch Pocket Album Digital photo viewer (Charcoal)

Hannah Montana Photo Album

Nascar Photo Album

Nascar Album 12x12: Logo

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

Wood Photo Albums

wood photo album box

Amazon Price: $33.00 (as of 12/19/2009)

Briar Wood Photo Album Standard

by: BHB International

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

Epica 9x10 inch Handmade Italian Distressed Leather and Bevelled Wood Photo Album / Wedding Album with 30 acid free archival CREAM pages / Leather Bound and Wood Wedding Book / Scrapbook / Scrap album / Legacy Wedding Gift for him or her / Ideal first or third Anniversary gifts / Superb unique corporate trendy gift / Brag book

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)

Wooden Photo Album Box

Amazon Price: $22.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

Prinz Dakota, Flip Photo Album, Holds 48 4" x 6" Photos, 1 Per Page, Black Wood Covers

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/19/2009)

4x6 Photo Albums

Photo Album for 100 4x6 pictures, red paper cover, white slip-in pockets; great gift!

5x7 Photo Albums

Pioneer 5x7 Mini Photo Album, Assorted Colors

Photo Album Pages

C-Line 85050 Redi-mount photo sheets, 3-hole punched, 11 x 9, 50 sheets per box

Photo Album Corners

Pioneer Wallet Oxford Bound Photo Album, Random Solid Color Sewn Leatherette Covers with Brass Accent Corners, Holds 24 2.5" x 3.5" Wallet Photos, 1 Per Page

Amazon Price: $1.75 (as of 12/19/2009)

Photo Albums: Was this page helpul? Let us know!

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Reply

jaye3000 jaye3000 Jun 23, 2009 @ 8:19 am

Awesome lens~ one of my favorite things to do. Mine do need spiffing up, have a lot of loose photos just stashed in them. Thanks for the lens!

Reply

jjanisse jjanisse Nov 2, 2008 @ 3:05 pm

Right on! Great Lens! For digital photos don't forget to protect them with a solid backup solution. It is so important to backup your valuable content. Every day thousands of computer files are needlessly put at risk. Finding a solution that is right for you is so important.

Take care.

-Jordan.
backup.jmjgroup.com

Reply

JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Oct 23, 2008 @ 6:30 pm

I have oodles and oodles of photo albums that I recently dug through to digitize several pictures for ChefKeem's project. It brought back tons of memories -- which there was an easy way to have all those pictures converted to digital. Time consuming.

Reply

Jewelsofawe Jewelsofawe Aug 26, 2008 @ 12:58 am

Love this lens of yours as well. Great work!

Reply

flowergardener flowergardener Aug 25, 2008 @ 3:30 am

OMG! Lots of cool themed photo albums! Glad to know I did something right by storing mine in my closet, (although that wasn't the intention) he-he-he!

Reply

ayjay521 ayjay521 Aug 21, 2008 @ 10:31 pm

Great lens with some excellent information. Thank you!

Reply

bbug bbug Jul 29, 2008 @ 6:38 pm

I have been getting some of my photo albums in order, it is fun to look at the old photos.

Reply

Joan4 Joan4 Jul 29, 2008 @ 9:06 am

great information! I have boxes and boxes of photos. I need to get busy now!

Reply

RichLeigh RichLeigh Jul 28, 2008 @ 8:59 pm

Nice work, very well laid out and all the information here has been very clearly presented! Really enjoyed the lens.

Reply

eccles1 eccles1 Jul 1, 2008 @ 5:24 pm

I needed this thank you!
I'll lensroll it now that I know how!
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Photo Credits= Photos are copyrighted as indicated. No derivative work is allowed.
Introduction: bragaboutbooks.
The Advantages of Photo Albums: beeep.
How to Choose a Photo Album: jepoycamboy.
Laying Out Your Photo Album: striatic.
Storing Your Photo Album: absolutwade.

This site is listed at LensMasterWorld.com.

mulberry

by mulberry

Photo albums may be "old fashioned" but they're still a beautiful way to display your favorite photos. Find one and learn more about putting one toget... (more)

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Create a Lens!

Photo Albums

Finding or Creating Great Photo Albums

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

The Advantages of Photo Albums

How to Choose a Photo Album

Laying Out Your Photo Album

Learn More About Making a Photo Album

Get the Design Ideas You Need

Software to Help Create Photos for Your Album

Storing Your Photo Album

How to Create a Photo Album

For Those Who Prefer the Digital Method

Baby Photo Album

Bound Photo Albums

Wedding Photo Album

Embossed Photo Albums

Kids Photo Album

Antique Look Photo Albums

Hand Made Look Photo Album

Leather Photo Album

Flip Photo Albums

Ringed Photo Albums

Spiral Bound Photo Album

Pocket Photo Albums

Hannah Montana Photo Album

Nascar Photo Album

Wood Photo Albums

4x6 Photo Albums

5x7 Photo Albums

Photo Album Pages

Photo Album Corners

Photo Albums: Was this page helpul? Let us know!

by mulberry

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