PHOTOS and CO

How do Photos & Co produce their albums?

As you can see from the above example, we take a selection of your photos and design them into a double page layout using the latest in Photoshop digital imaging technology.
In this example, first we rearranged the group photo to highlight the focal point of the image. Next, the individual photos were cleaned up to remove all the shadows and background clutter such as the shelves. The waistlines, arms, hips, chins and teeth of certain girls were airbrushed to reveal a more photogenic pose. The photos were all positioned and faded into the group picture and minor graphics were added for effect.

The final double-page design is then printed onto a single seamless page, before being bound into a table-top style book. The album contains 30 thick-cut solid pages which house 15 double page design layouts. It is bound using either solid dark wood or genuine leather covers, as well as your favourite photo.

No two albums are ever alike and no templates are used. Our experienced artists are skilled in using and following the natural logic of your pictures to achieve the very best possible layouts. Although our pages are designed using digital software, it is the many days of hard work and creative input of our artists that result in this superb unique finished product.

Do I need to use a professional photographer?

The above example shows six snapshots taken by the bride’s mother, using an everyday pocket sized digital camera with a built in flash. By themselves these photos are nice, but nothing special. After our designers have finished with them, a professional result is always achieved, regardless of the photographer. Nowadays, when so many people bring their own digital cameras to events, it is no longer necessary to have a professional photographer. Simply use a photo-sharing website to collect all your guest’s photos after the event. If you do choose not to use a professional, remember that the most important role of the wedding photographer is to place people in the correct poses. Please view our gallery for tips and ideas on which styles of pose give the best results.

I don’t like the way I look in some of my photos.

Our designers can alter your image at your request. We can remove red-eyes and shadows, spots, moles, freckles and scars. We can touch up make up, whiten and straighten teeth, and we can remove out of place hair and make hair grips invisible. We can even reduce and lift waistlines, create curves, tuck in chins and streamline arms and necks. All of this can be done subtly without changing your overall appearance or loosing your identity.

My photos are good but I don’t like some of the backgrounds.

Often good photos of people can be spoiled by things appearing in the background that we hadn’t planned. We can “clean up” your photos by removing background clutter like exit signs, doors, people, cars, messy tables, shadows etc. We can even superimpose people onto other backgrounds, for example, you could appear on a meadow, in the snow, by a lake, on your favourite beach or even in front of the Eiffel tower or wherever your imagination takes you! When sending us your photos, it is a good idea to send us some background shots which we can use in our designs.

What do I need to do to make my wedding album?

You need to send us 50 or more of your favourite photos. You also need to give us any ideas or instructions as to how you want your album to turn out. If you’re not sure, simply leave it to our team of professionals to decide for you. We will always send you a copy of our finished designs for your approval before printing, so there’s no risk of any unwanted surprises.

For best results, always try and include a few shots of key members of the wedding party, taken in front of plain backgrounds. Also, some shots of backgrounds without people will enable us to produce the best possible page layouts.

How do I place an order?

Simply email us at orders@photosandco.co.uk to let us know exactly what you require and how you would like to send us your photos. After receiving your photos, we’ll ask you to pay a deposit so we can begin work. Only after viewing and approving our completed page designs, will we ask you to pay the balance.

What size photos must I send?

To achieve a professional result, we need to use files of 2Mb or more. Sending smaller sized files would seriously reduce the quality of the album. 3, 4 or 5Mb files are recommended. When using a digital camera, this means selecting the highest quality mode, or when scanning, chose the highest resolution. If you are posting us prints, don’t worry, we will scan them to the correct size for you.

Remember to tell the guests at your wedding to take high resolution photos if you wish to include them in your album.

How do I send my digital photos?

The simplest way is to put all the files you have chosen into a new folder, then use “compression” or “zip” software (I recommend WinRAR – download it free from www.win-rar.com although any others will do) (select all files, right click and choose “add files to WinRAR folder”) to create a single file containing all your images. Send this file to orders@photosandco.co.uk using “file-flyer” (www.fileflyer.com) which is a quick and 100% foolproof solution for sending large files (you could send an email directly, but sending larger files can often be problematic). The file transfer may take an hour or more depending on your internet connection. Don’t worry, this is normal as these are big files.

I don’t understand how to send my digital photos?

No problem. Just ask your local photo developers to put them onto a CD and post it to us at our address on our contact page.

How do I send prints?

Either you can scan them (remember the higher the resolution the better) and send them as digital files (see above), or post your prints to our address on our contact page and we’ll scan them for you. If you do choose to do this, try to send copies not originals, and please use recorded delivery. Of course we’ll return your prints back to you as soon as they have been scanned.

How long will it take?

Standard service takes around one month from processing your order until the delivery of your album. We can also arrange an express 2 week service at your request.

What if I don’t like it?

We will email you a copy of each page layout for your approval before we print your album. Should there be anything that you don’t like or want changing, we will work with you until you are completely satisfied. Only when you give us your approval, will we proceed in printing your album.

Do I have to pay all at once?

After placing your order, you must first pay a deposit before we start designing your album. Only after we’ve sent you a copy of our designs for your approval, must you pay the balance. Please go to the “prices” page for full price information.

Are these albums available only for weddings?

Our albums are ideal for immortalising any occasion, such as kids growing up, documenting the history of someone’s life (what an amazing 60^th birthday or anniversary present!) or even as a memory of your last holiday or house.

Can I add text to my album?

Of course. Just send us a “Word” document including your text. You can add names, dates, poems, marriage vows, stories… anything you like, just tell us with which photos you want them placing.