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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.

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

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    Software to Help Create Photos for Your Album

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    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

    Sara France: Creating a Photo Book (Aperture In Action)
    by TimoKick | video info

    8 ratings | 8,029 views
    automatically generated by YouTube

    Baby Photo Album

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    Bound Photo Albums

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    Wedding Photo Album

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    Embossed Photo Albums

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    Kids Photo Album

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    Antique Look Photo Albums

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    Hand Made Look Photo Album

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    Leather Photo Album

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    Flip Photo Albums

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    Ringed Photo Albums

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    Spiral Bound Photo Album

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    Pocket Photo Albums

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    Hannah Montana Photo Album

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    Wood Photo Albums

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    4x6 Photo Albums

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    5x7 Photo Albums

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    Photo Album Pages

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    Photo Album Corners

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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.

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    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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