The only true way to archive your wedding photos is either with an album or printing them out. Unfortunately digital files are not archival and exists with a state of fragility. If there are photos you care about, print them out! This current generation is the most photographed generation, but I wonder how many of those images will still be around in 20 years. Technology is constantly changing, what maybe readable today, may not be tomorrow. Remember floppy discs and zip discs? I didn’t purchase a wedding album when I got married for budget reasons, and now 9 years later, I still haven’t designed my own album. Unfortunately I think this is a common pattern. Here is an exerpt from an article on Petapixel.com “If you don’t print your photos, for how long will they truly last and be appreciated? Let’s recall your parents’ and grandparents’ wedding photography. They have survived not only because of their inherent sentimental value, but because they exist in a physical form that can be passed down through the generations. It is much more difficult to accidentally toss away a box of photos than it is to delete or lose track of a virtual folder. The former would require thoughtful contemplation, or, at least, some nominal physical exertion, while the latter happens everyday to even the most organized individuals. In the case of digital wedding photos, their personal significance is completely undermined by their physical insignificance.” And according to The US National Archives and Records Administration: “Albums are an ideal storage method for photographic prints, especially snapshots and heirloom photographs–the photographs can be safely stored and organized, and safely viewed, without inflicting damage from frequent handling.”
With that said, recently I got in some gorgeous new client custom albums in from the album company I use that I just needed to share. We offer two different lines. What I like to call the Coffee Table Book, which is a thinner paged layflat album with high quality silver halide Fuji lustre paper that will last 100+ years in ideal conditions. They are true photographic prints at very budget-friendly prices. Both styles have endless cover options with handmade bindings. From textured silks, linens, book cloth, beautiful fabrics, vegan leathers and Photo Wrap covers are available on the Books. Here is a beautiful Coffee Table Book with a heavy duty textile fabric cover.
The Album contains thicker pages with an inner core and with the addition to the types of covers listed above, we have high end full grain aniline leathers and fine, top grain European leathers available with a myriad of color and texture choices. With an upgrade, metal, glass and wood available on the Albums. While I usually use the luster printing, matte and metallic papers are available as well. These are high quality heirloom flushmount albums that will last generations. Here is an album using a textured book cloth, with the square corners (also available with rounded corners). I love the look of this cover and it is available for both the book and album.
