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.

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: $8.94 (as of 10/08/2008)

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: $16.46 (as of 10/08/2008)

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: $15.56 (as of 10/08/2008)

The Best Make An Extra Income, Sales Models and eCommerce for Photo Albums Web Businesses 3 CD Power Pack

by Lucas X. Smith

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The Down and Dirty Make An Extra Income, Inner Game and eCommerce for Photo Albums Web Businesses 3 CD Power Pack

by Phillip X. Smith

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Software to Help Create Photos for Your Album

Corel Photo Album 7 Deluxe

Amazon Price: $38.49 (as of 10/08/2008)

Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 [OLD VERSION]

Amazon Price: (as of 10/08/2008)

My Memories Suite

Amazon Price: (as of 10/08/2008)

Epson StoryTeller Photo Book Creator - 8in x 10in (20 pages)

Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 10/08/2008)

MotionArtist 4

Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 10/08/2008)

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.