Studio Sample Album for Critique

[kansascityshuffle]

Hey all,

Just finished up the first draft of a 40 side studio sample album. I'd like to have it printed by Asuka...maybe their FLX book to see what the faux leather is like.

Before anything else, note that this is a collection of layouts from multiple weddings and rehearsal dinners. The point is not to show the client an entire single wedding, as they can do that in online galleries. The point is to use certain slides as discussion points (like the 5th, where I'll talk about PP and such), and display different settings. Even though it has a consistent color scheme, I tried to show plenty of different layouts as well.

Really though, it's the first album I've ever designed, so I welcome any comments/questions. Critique on the images themselves, the individual layouts, and the thing as a whole are all great. Thanks!

http://www.jacobcopelandphotography.com/p479515107

[Valjoy]

The design of your album is clean and crisp...which I personally like. Your layouts are fine.
I think that what is missing from your album is more pics of brides and grooms. Also pics of Bride with bridesmaids etc....far too many reception/dinner shots.

Even though this is a sample album of different weddings...which is fine, I think you still need to showcase some of your best shots..which have a bit more impact. Layout one lacks that impact, and you want your first page to make an impression.Layout 2 has more impact.

Where are your formal shots of the couples? Closeups of the bride, flowers shoes rings etc....these types of shots would really enhance your album.
I hope my critique has been helpfull.....I am still fairly new to wedding photography but I have done many albums and I know how hard it can be to get it right. Keep trying different pics and layouts untill you are happy.....and good luck.
cheers Val

[kansascityshuffle]

The design of your album is clean and crisp...which I personally like. Your layouts are fine.
I think that what is missing from your album is more pics of brides and grooms. Also pics of Bride with bridesmaids etc....far too many reception/dinner shots.

Even though this is a sample album of different weddings...which is fine, I think you still need to showcase some of your best shots..which have a bit more impact. Layout one lacks that impact, and you want your first page to make an impression.Layout 2 has more impact.

Where are your formal shots of the couples? Closeups of the bride, flowers shoes rings etc....these types of shots would really enhance your album.
I hope my critique has been helpfull.....I am still fairly new to wedding photography but I have done many albums and I know how hard it can be to get it right. Keep trying different pics and layouts untill you are happy.....and good luck.
cheers Val


Thanks a lot Val!

Simple fact is, I don't have the detail shots and formal couple shots. My experience is basically limited to family weddings and second shooter stuff, so I never had the chance to shoot certain types of shots.

That said, I still need something physical, like and album, to present to a prospective client at a meeting. What I can do is reorder some of the pages to get some of the most impressive shots in the first couple of pages. I feel like the album ends well as is.

Anyways, thanks again for the help!

[scobols]

Hmmm...

I look at it a little different, but that's just me. I just recently ordered a studio sample but I wanted a full album, exactly what a customer received. I want the bride to see what she should expect. For example, how I tell a story of the day in the album.

If I want to show her all of the different processing I can do, I'll show her some loose or matted prints, not an album.

I realize that you haven't shot a whole wedding so this may not work for you, and that's fine. Ultimately it's your call and your logic may very well be better than mine.

If I'm going to pay hundreds of dollars to print a studio sample, I'm going to put a lot of thought into it and make it the best it can be, not just order it just so I have one.

Scott

Edit:
BTW, here is the album I used for my sample: ALBUM (http://www.scottbolster.com/proofs/soderbeck_album/), in case anyone wants to see it.

[kansascityshuffle]

Hmmm...

I look at it a little different, but that's just me. I just recently ordered a studio sample but I wanted a full album, exactly what a customer received. I want the bride to see what she should expect. For example, how I tell a story of the day in the album.

If I want to show her all of the different processing I can do, I'll show her some loose or matted prints, not an album.

I realize that you haven't shot a whole wedding so this may not work for you, and that's fine. Ultimately it's your call and your logic may very well be better than mine.

If I'm going to pay hundreds of dollars to print a studio sample, I'm going to put a lot of thought into it and make it the best it can be, not just order it just so I have one.

Scott

Edit:
BTW, here is the album I used for my sample: ALBUM (http://www.scottbolster.com/proofs/soderbeck_album/), in case anyone wants to see it.



Scott, like you noted, a full wedding album isn't an option for me yet. You're also correct in saying it is the right way to go most of the time, and my sample for the next year will be a full wedding.

I realize what I'm shooting for is not completely ideal, but I still feel that I would be better off with a sample album of some sort. The simple fact is that I have to make it the best it can be while working around the limitations I currently have.

[Valjoy]

I understand completely where you are coming from....I was you a little over 12 months ago.
I had to use what was available to me at the time...."how to get a wedding when you have never shot a wedding is the hardest part of getting started."

I was lucky I had a couple willing to put their wedding gear back on so I could do a photo shoot for my portfolio......originally I was going to advertise to do a free wedding just so I could get the photos I needed. This may be an option for you. ....In the end I didnt have too ...a couple trusted me enough to pay for their photography.

Since then I have done well for my 1st year...mainly word of mouth, and from people that had seen the album I did for the first couple.

Instead of ordering a full album from a company I bought a 11x14 slip in album that has one size mat to accommodate 11x14 enlargements. ( I made digital collages as well as single enlargments to put in this album) I didnt fill it up just got some enlargements printed and slid them in.

They have been a great portfolio album which you can change as you like and the clients love them.

Getting your first full paying wedding is hard...but you will get there.
cheers Val