Some couples today don’t value wedding albums

How important is a wedding album to engaged couples? My experience indicates it’s not very important. However when I listen to other wedding photographers across the country an album seems pretty important.

I have been photographing weddings for seven years, and I can count on one hand how many couples asked for a photo album after their wedding.

Years ago getting an album was the norm. In fact, before the popularity of digital photography a photo album was all a couple would get. An album was looked forward to and was treasured.

Now it seems totally different. It seems that all most couples want is their digital images. Here are three reasons why I think today’s couples don’t value wedding albums.

They can make their own album

They have their digital photos and they can make their own photo album if they want. The problem with this is I can guarantee you that couples who make their own book aren’t making quality albums that will last a lifetime. They are going to inexpensive online options to put their photos in a book. They aren’t getting heirloom albums.

They don’t want an album

We live in a digital world and I’m guessing many couples don’t think they need that book to hold in their hands. They feel the digital images they can look at online and share is all they need and want.

Albums are expensive

Quality photo albums are expensive. I know of photographers who charge several thousand dollars for high quality heirloom albums. Budget is a big deal for many couples, and they don’t feel they want to pay that much for an album. I was asked last year by someone what it would cost to get an album. I told her it would be at least $1,000 for a quality album. I never heard back from her. I’m guessing she was hoping to find someone who would give her a nice album for a couple hundred dollars.

Albums still important

So all this being said – how important are photo albums? Personally, I think they are important, but it depends on what couples value. If couples don’t put a value on an album, then they should not get one.

The reason to have one is that it is a more tangible and nicer documentation of a wedding. Sometimes it’s just nicer looking at wedding photos in pretty album rather than a computer screen.