soooo NOT disappointed in my wedding album UPDATE

samnjenna Posted: Jan 04, 2007 02:19 PM

soooo NOT disappointed in my wedding album UPDATE

Repost from BHB

Hi everybody.

Haven't been on in a while, but I'm really upset about this album thing and I was hoping maybe some of you could give me your opinions.

Here's the deal . . . DH and I LOVE our wedding proofs. Lots of creative/photojournalistic shotsand the studio was great with everything. We've had a very hectic year and we only got around to thinking about the album a few months ago.

When we did sit down with someone at the studio we were having trouble narrowing down our shots -- and we thought we'd be talking to the designer about choices, but no such luck. In the end we had to do a lot of compromising, but we narrowed down the shots, keeping in some unique ones that we imaged would make our album really special. (example -- just my BoK or my shoe, etc)

Unfortunately, the designer gave us what I think is a very very plain, even boring layout. And apparently the only way that I can get some of the things I imagined is to pay a redesign fee and wait another 3 months -- which I am not willing to do.

So, here I am . . . very disappointed in my album.
And my designer will make any changes I specifically ask for, but at this point I am practically designing the album myself.

I'm attaching the layout and hoping some of you might be able to give me your opinions.

Maybe I'm being too much of a perfectionist. But it just seems boring to me -- especially the first couple of pages. At this point I am considering paying the extra $$ and getting a redesign . . .

What do you think?
TIA

I'M NOT DISAPPOINTED ANYMORE!
UPDATE ON NEXT PAGE . . .

milerose Posted: Jan 04, 2007 02:40 PM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

I acutally like it. I think it is very nicely done.

Sometimes the more they put on a page makes the album look too busy.

JMO.

Wait a few days and look at it again and if you still feel this way maybe you should reconsider having it redone.

NPbride Posted: Jan 04, 2007 04:00 PM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

I actually think your album is beautiful! What do you feel is boring about the layout? I think it's looks great!

Sorry you're feeling disappointed with it.

cherryj24 Posted: Jan 04, 2007 04:03 PM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

I really like it too but I understand how you feel. I have an image of the album I want and I would probably be a smidgen disappointed also. For the most part I love it but maybe they can work with you on not redesigning the whole thing but just spicing up a few pages with maybe a faded background or angling the pics different. But really, it does look beautiful!

samnjenna Posted: Jan 04, 2007 04:11 PM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

Thanks for the responses. I do actually like the photos a lot and there are some pages of the album that I think turned out perfectly. I guess I've seen a lot of Duet albums where other images serve as a sort of background for the 'main' images. And I think that would be interesting for one or two pages.

I usually am all about being 'simple' and classic, but some of the pages just seem blah to me.

Thanks again for your opinions!

Calimali Posted: Jan 04, 2007 04:14 PM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

ITs not like you described it. I would just suggest adding more picture of you and DH where you can see your whole dress or both of your faces more. They are mostly action shot (which are great). What is you just added more pages inbetween the ones you already have.

DUCKS2001 Posted: Jan 04, 2007 07:31 PM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

i think it looks nice, i see nothing wrong with it.

leese Posted: Jan 04, 2007 08:06 PM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

Ok, if you check out my album (I think its in one of my previous posts) --- it's kind of what you are talking about. Photos being the background, etc. So if you need design help you are more than welcome to check that out!

But, that said, I do like your album first of all and secondly I think its crisp and clean. Also, I never realized it but it is so much more beautiful printed than it is on the screen.

But, here is the thing...they should be doing what you want -- and my question is why aren't they? Do they have other samples that have more of what you want and what made you book with them?

Goldi1021 Posted: Jan 04, 2007 10:01 PM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

We thought our album was nothing special when we first saw our layout. It wasnt untilI realize that we didnt offer enough pictures to use as backgrounds so it was limiting to them. We ended up adding pictures, making some pictures spread across two pages in a panorama and just changing the angle at which the pictures were presented.

You should keep in mind that many photographers will charge you to add a proof picture a a background picture. Each image COULD cost you more - especially if your original contract allows for a certain amount of images or pages. Adding pages costs more too. That being said, you could ask your photographer if he has stock photography that he wouldnt charge you to use. They may have a background in other colors or patterns or even textures much in the way that Shutterfly has for their DIY stuff online. We may go that route for our parent albums.

Here is my layout. I just reviewed the prints before the album was assembled. These images are low resolution, the real ones are much more sharp but you get the basic idea:

My album layout

samnjenna Posted: Jan 04, 2007 10:17 PM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

Thanks again, ladies. I'm so glad I posted. I have a very happy update to my original post . . . read on (repost from BHB)

I called the studio today to talk about my options. I didn't really complain about things b/c I don't actually think the designer did a bad job, I just said that I wanted to know my options and about fees in case I needed a redesign or some extra services.

The person who responded to me was very accommodating, but said that what I wanted might involve some fees. I told him I'd think about it.

Then tonight the owner of the company called to check in with me. He asked me what I was looking for and when I explained my opinions (and he looked at the design himself) he said that I could absolutely get the things I wanted without having to worry about extra fees. (In fact he seemed to 'get' my style completely -- something the designer I've been working with seems a little confused about).

Long story short -- I think I will be able to get the album I want -- hopefully soon!!

Yeah -- Silverfox!!!

MrsBrags7706 Posted: Jan 05, 2007 10:22 AM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

i think it looks GORGEOUS!

MrsBrags7706 Posted: Jan 05, 2007 10:22 AM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

WHAT DON'T u like? the color? maybe the yellow?

lanabean Posted: Jan 05, 2007 12:40 PM

Re: soooo disappointed in my wedding album

Mine is basically set up the same way, except I I have delicate tissue pages over each photo. I think it's traditional and elegant! The only issue with mine is it's WAY too delicate, but I like the layout fine; it's like yours!