It’s that time of year again!  Time to start thinking about GUEST BOOKS!  They are super easy additions to your packages.  A couple popular suggestions:

Engagement Sessions – guestbooks can be created for engagement parties, bridal showers and the wedding day.

Child & Family Portraits – perfect for birthdays, family celebrations, reunions and anniversaries.

I’ve compiled a list of my top album recommendations you can use for your photo guest books, and hope it brings you some inspiration and an always welcome increase in sales at your studio!

Elements TXT

Elements albums fall under the category of “self-mount” which means that there is adhesive on the pages so you can mount your own prints to the page.  It’s super easy to do, we’ve even got video instructions, but we also offer a Print & Assembly option if you want us to deliver a fully finished product.  They come in beautiful linens, silks and leatherettes and also have upgrade options for high-end leathers.

The original version is a regular album that holds prints on all page-sides.  With this version you can create your own prints on different paper finishes (like watercolor maybe) and include borders around signature areas, or little headings at the top, etc.  It’s all up to what you are comfortable designing or creating.

OR you can opt for the “TXT” guest book version which holds prints on the right page-sides and the left page-sides are blank paper for signatures (black or white pages).  There is no price difference on this page style option.  Test out pens on some heavy cardstock for use to make sure they dry quickly, but because it’s paperboard on the TXT pages, you should be pretty free to choose an appropriate pen.  Silver, gold and white Sharpie markers work great on the black pages.

playBOOK

playBOOK is the hottest photo book on the market!!  playBOOK features real portrait grade photographic prints, skinny page styling, and seamless, lay-flat binding for breathtaking panoramic spreads.  The playBOOK comes in TONS of gorgeous fabric, silk and vegan leather cover options as well as image covers.  This is the book for the client who wants a magazine style, designed book without the hefty price-tag.  You would submit your finished layouts to us to be printed and bound, and within those layouts is where you may let your creative juices flow to create signature spaces.  Now, this IS photographic paper, so you do need to worry about choosing an appropriate pen.  I’ve written another article dedicated to just this subject that you can read over when you’re done here.

playBOOK photos provided by Zofia & Co.

Gallery

Gallery albums are gorgeous matted albums that are perfect for portraits and guest books.  They come in either a 9″ or 12″ square, have TONS of cover options from linens to fauxs to fine leathers and image wraps, capacity of up to 30 mats in your choice of 4 styles and numerous mat configurations.

Gallery albums are a breeze to assemble yourself with your own prints – here’s a short video so you can see how it’s done – but if you prefer, we also offer a print & assembly service for a low price per page (software required for P&A).

To create a gorgeous guestbook, you can simply write on the paperboard matting around your prints, or you can choose to place mats on some pages that have no print openings in them at all (blank mat – do not confuse this with a “blank mat with adhesive” which is meant to mount a full print across the front).

Portfolio Box

And lastly, for something a little different, a Portfolio Box can be a new and interesting twist on the traditional guest “book”.  The Portfolio Box has been made popular lately by revered portrait photographer Sue Bryce, and with their simple sophistication, it’s easy to see why she sells so many!  With custom image covers, Natural Blend Linen or black silk or buckram to choose from, you can create a beautiful presentation that your clients will adore.  Simple white or black frame-mounts will showcase your prints inside the box, and once the matting is filled with signatures, your clients can enjoy them over time by highlighting various prints on an easel in their home.

Customer Service is available to answer any questions on these products that you may have along the way.  Just email info@finao.com or call 888-346-2687.  We’re happy to help find the right options for your studio!

Jamie Westman

Jamie is Finao's resident Guidance Guru and Marketing Assistant to the Queen of All Things Finabulous, Christine Perry-burke.

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