There are many free online gallery options, however paying for any of the following comes with added perks that can revolutionize and automate parts of your business.  In this article, we’ll discuss the most popular options available and give you our verdict on the best one.

Outline:

• How to Choose an Online Gallery for Photographers
• ShootProof
• Pixieset
• Zno
• Pixpa
• SmugMug
• Pixellu Galleries
• Photonesto
• Pass
• Pic-time
• Zenfolio
• Photoshelter
• Conclusion

How to Choose an Online Gallery for Photographers

Sign up for trials whenever available and thoroughly analyze the features and experience.  Switching services is cumbersome, so making a good initial decision is important.

When choosing the right online gallery, consider the following characteristics of the company:

• All levels of their pricing – Your online gallery storage needs will only increase over time.  Image file sizes are getting bigger with each generation of cameras, and you’ll also be adding many more shoots that you’ll be deleting.  This is why it’s critical to think long term.  Compare both the plan that you currently need as well as their highest plan with competitors to make a sound decision.
• Aesthetics – The aesthetics of the gallery is a factor, but perhaps an overrated factor.  Yes, the gallery should look and feel beautiful and high end.  However, a client may or may not notice small design differences between galleries.
• Features for the photographer – What other features and integrations does the gallery offer?  Some of these services offer additional features like a website and hosting, a Lightroom plugin for uploading photos, client and photographer contract templates, slideshows, and integrations.  Check to see if you need any of these additional features and weigh your options.
• Features for the client – Do they offer a good client experience?  Is it easy to access?  For example, some of these gallery options have apps for the clients to download and easily view/share their images.  Is that important to you?
• Longevity and growth – Will the company add features and grow with your studio?  Or is it struggling to stay afloat?  A company getting stagnant, not keeping up with tech, or even worse, going out of business could be a big hassle for you down the line.

With that said, let’s get into the best options.

ShootProof

ShootProof is one of the larger industry leaders for online photo galleries, and their main focus is on client-proofing and providing clients with excellent access to purchasing options for prints and downloads.

From the photographer’s perspective, ShootProof’s user interface is surprisingly fluid and easy to use, and they have plenty of tutorial videos for all of their tools. They also give you a lot of flexibility regarding the format and presentation of your galleries, something missing from most free gallery options.

Some of their security options are great for controlling how you share your work, with password and PIN-protected galleries, print releases, watermarking features, and the option to limit the number of downloads a visitor can make.

And instead of taking a cut from each of your sales, ShootProof operates on either monthly or annual subscription charges instead. You can try their trial 100-photo plan for free or pay $100/year for a 1,500-photo plan, $200/year for a 5,000-photo plan, $300/year for a 25,000-photo plan, or $600/year for a completely unlimited plan. Each plan comes with unlimited galleries, digital contracts, invoicing and brand development tools, and access to the mobile app. The unlimited plan also includes free archiving.

Because of its strong set of features, Shootproof is our recommended online gallery.

Pixieset

Like ShootProof, Pixieset operates on a flat subscription fee rather than charging you commissions for every transaction that you make through them, unless you are using the free account in which case they charge a 15% commission.

All paying subscribers have the option to connect Pixieset with their own domain and replace all of Pixieset’s branding with your own for a more professional client gallery. Clients are able to mark their favorite pictures using the Pixieset Favoriting tool, allowing you to track and download whatever they select.

All of their subscription options will allow your clients to create a mobile app of their photo gallery to preview images fast and easy. You also have the option to build your own professional portfolio site and blog, with tracking, and analytics integrations, and SSL security for an extra $12/month. In 2021, they released Studio Manager – a business app designed to help photographers enhance client onboarding, allowing you to create and send branded contracts, invoices and questionnaires, with booking and scheduling on the roadmap.

Their suite plans, which combine client galleries, online store, studio manager, and website, cost $28/month for 1000GB, and $48/month for unlimited space.

Their suite plans, which combine an online store, website, mobile app, and client gallery, cost $28/month for 1000GB, and $48/month for unlimited space.

Zno

This cloud-based gallery stands tall among the best in the batch of client photo galleries for a number of reasons.

When you register an account on Zno.com, you automatically get access to 1GB of storage on Zno Gallery. With a Basic level account (set at just $5/month), you can share, deliver, and proof your images. As a powerful and client-friendly tool, the Gallery allows your clients to select and download their favorite photos, which you can also track. Of course, you have the option to set the permissions for the gallery to not allow downloads, depending on your arrangements with your clients.

To keep your professional looking gallery on brand, you can customize the colors and add your logo. Furthermore, with a basic plan, you can send the gallery to a client through Zno using an unbranded URL, meaning only your brand will be represented.

Finally, yet another way that Zno Gallery stands out is through its integration with Zno Estore, an online store that you can use to sell prints, albums, and wall art with the images featured in your galleries. The online store allows you to set your own prices, doesn’t take a commission (other companies can charge 15% or more), and offers automatic fulfillment for printing and shipping your products to your customers.

Zno Gallery on its own is fantastic, but it’s worth noting that it is also part of a powerful all-in-one platform for photographers, which recently introduced a new Fulfillment Apps Bundle to make the Zno collection of apps more affordable than ever.

[Related Reading: The Best Online Album Proofing Options for Photographers]

Pixpa

Pixpa stands out from other online gallery options by enabling photographers to manage their online galleries along with a professional portfolio website, blog, and store – all in one place. Pixpa is also the most affordable option, with all-inclusive, flat-fees pricing plans ranging from $5 – $25 per month. Discounted yearly and 2-yearly plans are also available. All plans come with a 15 days free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. All plans offer the ability to connect a custom domain name, generous storage space, unlimited bandwidth, SSL certificates and 24×7 live chat support. You can add more storage space to any plan – $10 for 100Gb to $45 for unlimited storage.

Pixpa’s full-featured Online Galleries platform is included in all plans (except Basic) and enables you to share, proof, deliver and sell your images with style and simplicity. You can create unlimited client albums with multiple galleries in each album, enabling clients to mark favourites, download, and buy images easily. Selling images as prints and downloads is a breeze with custom price lists, discount coupons and an easy, smooth checkout experience. You can also create exclusive, personalised mobile gallery apps for clients to share your images with them.

Pixpa’s portfolio website builder also stands out with 150+ premium templates that can be fully customised. You can easily add an integrated online store, blog, marketing popups, ecommerce-enabled galleries and over 150+ apps and integrations to power up your portfolio website without touching a line of code.

Overall, Pixpa offers a great feature-rich package at a very affordable price, making it a great option for photographers looking for an all-in-one platform to showcase, share and sell their work online.

SmugMug

Unlike most of the online gallery options on this list, SmugMug doesn’t have any free account options, although users can try out their free 14-day trial period to get a feel for their platform. SmugMug has been operating since 2002, meaning they have weathered the age of Canon and Kodak and will most likely be around for many years to come.

Another perk to SmugMug is that every one of their plans comes with an unlimited amount of storage space and galleries, and you can easily import your photos from other platforms like Dropbox and Flickr. The downside is however that you need to purchase their more expensive options in order to have full control of your site’s e-commerce, and they have been criticized for having a cluttered user interface, although this is in part due to the amount of customizable gallery options they give.

Their basic plan starts at $7/month and comes with a fully customizable website, an easy drag-and-drop gallery organization system, password protection, email and social media integrations for quick sharing, and access to their print lab.

Their Portfolio plan, which is billed at $27/month, is where you start to have more control over your e-commerce with a Turnkey storefront, e-commerce gallery optimization, multiple options to fulfill print orders, download sales, and the ability to set your prices store-wide. You can also use your own domain name with this option. For $41.99/month, you can create custom price lists and coupons for individual clients, group multiple galleries under single events so customers can access all of the relevant photos and choose their favorites, brand your shipping orders, and give clients additional gift-wrapping options.

Smugmug offers the best pricing, and it’s a great option for those looking for a great solution at a great price.

Pixellu Galleries

Pixellu was initially known for their slideshow software, SmartSlides, an Animoto alternative and their SmartAlbums, a Fundy alternative for album design.  However, they recently announced their client photo galleries, and they are worth considering.   The Pixellu team’s primary focus is solving three specific problems:

• Usability – They’ve simplified the upload process into a three-step workflow (upload, customization, and delivery).
• Limited Layout Options – They offer multiple text and layout options for the client galleries.
• Slow Loading Times – They’ve optimized their galleries for fast loading for both the photographer and the client.

The rest of their feature set is comparable with the other Online Galleries like Pixieset and Pass, with reasonable pricing starting at $8/month.  This should be your Online Gallery of choice if you already use SmartSlides or SmartAlbums, as you can get ALL three for $40/month.  This can potentially save you significant money if you can eliminate the need to pay for these types of services separately.

Read our more detailed breakdown here.

Photonesto

Photonesto is mostly known for its easily customizable online galleries and user-friendly system for selling photos online. The images in their photo albums are always presented with a clean, beautiful aesthetic.  Their password protected galleries work quickly and reliably and are tailored for every device.  For the end user,  the photo selection is made intuitively by marking the chosen photos with a star, and each selection is signed with the customer’s email address.

In addition, proofing galleries are password-protected and pictures within them are secured with watermarks. Other useful features include,  e-mail templates, currencies support, activity log storing all events, sale of additional products (prints, photo painting, etc.) and 24/7 technical support.

Photonesto is also unique because of their prcing model, where subscription is not required – basically, you pay for what you use. Online photo album prices vary depending on the publication period (3, 6 or 12 months) and the size of the album.  For example, choosing 6 months publication period, one small album (up to 1 GB of data – about 100 photos in full resolution) is $5.50, medium album (up to 3 GB of data- approx. 300 photos in full resolution) – $6.00, large album (no data limit – unlimited number of photos) – $6.50.

For more information, click here.

Pass

Pass has been around for roughly a decade, and they are mostly known for catering to wedding photographers and other professional photographers who deal with large quantities of photos per gallery or event. This means that they have great upload and download speeds to and from their platform, and they feature fluid social media integrations that allow your clients to easily share their favorite picture to their social media feeds with a backlink to your work, spreading your brand through word of mouth. Their gallery setup has a pinterest-esque feel to it, allowing clients to easily move through large volumes of content.

And best of all, they have expanded their free account options to up to 6,000 photos or 20GB of storage. Free accounts are charged a 15% fee on all purchases, and come with unlimited galleries, the use of your own logo in client galleries, an online smart store, mobile app, a portfolio site, and sales & marketing help.

Paid accounts start at $17/month for 30,000 photos or 100GB of storage and include the above without the 15% purchase fee, along with email marketing and additional album design options. Their unlimited account is $34/month and comes with the above as well as a full professional website and blog.

Pic-Time

Pic-Time operates as more of an integrated workspace for photographers rather than just being a stand-alone online gallery space. Their platform has Lightroom integrations and syncing, and also comes with some great marketing tools that help you to make coupons, promo codes, and a range of marketing campaigns for your products.

Their platform is also well known for its easy-to-use and beautiful aesthetics on both the photographer’s end and the client’s. Customers can select their favorite shots and build their own albums, and the range of prints available through Pic-Time, including calendars and greeting cards, allows any photographer to increase their product range.

Pic-Time has a comprehensive range of pricing plans with three client gallery options, three art gallery options, and three bundle plans. Client galleries start at just $17/month for 100GB of storage or $34/month for unlimited storage with the option for you to add multiple brands for $16 each. These options all include an online store, marketing platforms, customizable products, GIF and video integration, shipping rerouting, customizable domain names and more.

The art gallery options have a similar option for expanding your operation to cover multiple brands, and the prices start at just $10/month, although this art gallery package comes with a 15% sales commission. You would need to purchase the $17/month art gallery option for commission-free sales.

Zenfolio

Zenfolio has a similar setup to SmugMug, but what sets them apart is a much easier to use interface, and more features in their cheaper plans.

They also streamline the dialogue between clients and photographers, since clients are able to browse photo galleries and select their favorites, and photographers are then able to access those favorite lists and open them directly in Lightroom using a special plugin.

The Portfolio plan is a cheap $5/month and comes with 15GB of storage space, an Instagram feed, the ability to use your own domain name, social media integrations, and shareable photo galleries. The $10/month Pro account comes with an easy-to-use website builder, unlimited photos and videos, custom watermarks, an online store, client proofing, access to print labs, online payment processing, and a selection of marketing tools such as gift certificates and email reminders.

Their advanced plan is probably one of the most attractive options on this list, at just $15/month. This comes with specialized features for school, sports, and event photographers, a post-shoot green screen, multiple user accounts for larger businesses, the ability to set your own shipping methods, the creation of mini-sites to target specific events, boutique packaging options and much more.

PhotoShelter

Right away, one of the most attractive aspects of PhotoShelter is their image proofing system that gives photographers a wide range of easily customizable options for presenting and delivering photos to clients. Customers also have the option to rate and comment on pictures they like, giving photographers instant feedback on what works and what doesn’t, and the use of FTP and password-protected links makes sharing photos easier than ever.

One of the downsides though is that there is a commission fee between 8% and 10% on all sales regardless of the plan that you purchase. This downside is offset by the fact that every plan comes with free self-fulfillment of orders, and the platform supports 23 global currencies as well as PayPal, so there are almost no geographical limitations to your customer base.

Each of their plans comes with 9 HTML5 site templates, a custom domain name, Vimeo, Instagram, WordPress, and Tumblr integrations, SEO marketing and social media sharing tools, their mobile app, and the ability to sell prints and license photos. The basic plan for $12.99/month only comes with 4GB of cloud storage though, which is comparatively low compared to competitors, and this package does not come with a client proofing tool which their other two options do include. The standard $29.99/month plan gives you the above plus 100GB of online storage, while the $49.99/month gives you unlimited storage.

Conclusion

When it comes to professional online photo galleries, there really is no “right” option.  Each has a set of pros and cons, some are better looking than others, and some offer more features than others.  Switching galleries is a hassle, so signing up for a free trial and doing proper homework is critical.  You will likely be married to your final choice for a long time.   Ask yourself, what is the best option for you now and years down the line.  Will the price creep up and out of control as you add more images?  Do you trust that the company is well managed, and that the company will be around in 5-10 years?  These are all factors to consider.

But we’d love to hear from you.  What is your favorite online gallery? If you enjoyed this article, you might also be interested in our thoughts on the Best Studio Management Software and our thoughts on the Best Website Builders for Photographers.

• Understand The Major Events from the Culture
• Be Comprehensive with the Details of the Sofreh
• Watch Your Reflections in the Mirror
• Be Prepared for a Custom/Personalized Ceremony
• Maximize Use of the Ceremony Site

Understand The Major Events from the Culture

The first step in photographing Perisan weddings is to understand the basic structure and order of events for the ceremony.  While you don’t have to necessraily memorize each and every event, you should be familiar with them so that you don’t miss anything.  Here’s the typical structure:

Typical Structure of a Persian Wedding

1. Processional
2. Sofreh Aghd – Ceremony
3. Bale/Kelling – Consent
4. Asal – Honey & Kiss
5. Tala – Gifts of Gold
6. Kalleh Ghand – Sugar Cones Overhead
7. Family Blessings
8. Recessional

We detail each of these in our article on Wedding Maps about Persian Weddings.  Be sure to read those over prior to your first Persian Wedding.

Photograph the Details of the Sofreh

Capture every detail of the sofreh, from the smallest to the largest details, at wide, medium and tight angles.  Each item usually symbolizes some aspect of the bride and groom’s relationship and marriage, and some items, such as powdered sugar, will be incorporated into the ceremony.  Plan more time photographing these details than you might normally schedule for other types of weddings.

Watch Your Reflections!

Avoid catching yourself or any other distracting elements in the mirror reflection throughout the ceremony.  The good news is that the mirror is usually angled upwards, so as long as you’re not close or above the mirror, you should be fine.  While these are things you can fix in Photoshop, you ideally want to get it right in camera.

Be Prepared for a Custom or Blended Ceremony

Ask bride and groom during the pre wedding talk-through for any non-typical events/moments.  Some brides and grooms modify their ceremonies to incorporate non traditional or modern elements.  Some couples may also opt for a shortened version of the traditional ceremony.  Clear communication prior to the ceremony should reveal these modifications.

Maximize Use of the Ceremony Site

The Sofreh is a centerpiece of the wedding and a large portion of the wedding couples’ budget.  It also makes an interesting, beautiful backdrop for photos.  So maximize your time there and consider doing a large portion of your couples session and family formals right there at the ceremony site.

Use Your Intuition and Prior Experience

Rely on your intuition and stay aware the entire ceremony.  Remember to capture wide, medium, and tight shots for a complete set of storytelling images.

Designate where shooters will be for various parts of ceremony.  You may find yourself facing the audience to capture the bride and groom as they often sit together on a bench, facing away from the audience for part of the ceremony. Either way, find positions to catch the necessary angles and tell a complete and cohesive story.

Be Ready for Petal Tosses

While not necessarily a cultural tradition for Persian weddings, a petal toss if a common event at the reception.  Ask the coordinator or the bride/groom if this will be happening at the wedding so that you can be ready for this moment.

Read the Full Persian Wedding Photography Guide

If you’re looking for more guidance on Persian weddings, we created a full guide to help prepare photographers to successfully photograph Persian weddings. The guide, available exclusively for our SLR Lounge Premium Members, includes  information and tips on the following:

• Glossary of Persian wedding terms so you’re familiar with every aspect of the wedding.
• Sample wedding day timeline so you can anticipate and prepare for each moment.
• Overview of Persian wedding traditions, including the sofreh aghd,  kaleh ghand, jashn e aroosi, and more.
• Photography tips so you can anticipate moments and create artistic, story-driven wedding photographs.
• 80+ reference images for inspiration.
• Plus more!

Learn All of the Persian Wedding Traditions

More Persian Wedding Photography Tips

We have included insightful photography tips for covering Persian weddings, from the aghd (traditional Persian wedding ceremony) to the jashn e aroosi (reception party), using our experience photographing numerous Persian weddings over the years. With recommendations on where to position team members, which angles to capture, and which lenses work best to capture those angles, the tips in this photography guide will give you the knowledge to anticipate moments and create artistic story-driven wedding photographs that honor the respective religions, traditions, and cultures of your clients.

Visual Inspiration for Persian Weddings

In addition to the photography tips, the accompanying images featured in each section of this guide have been included for visual reference. Culled from the catalogs of Lin & Jirsa Photography, each image directly relates to the topic at hand and should serve to inspire you when you find yourself applying what you’ve learned under the constraints of a real working environment.

The good news is, today there are more excellent professional mirrorless cameras than ever before. The bad news is, there are almost too many cameras to choose from, and they all have very similar names. (Often just one letter in a camera’s name can make a thousand-dollar difference!)

Without a doubt, most mirrorless cameras today not only rival the capabilities of their DSLR predecessors, they often surpass them. Now, since we’ve already covered the best mirrorless cameras for beginners, this post will focus on providing an overview of the top 5 mirrorless cameras for professionals. We’ll cover some (relatively) budget-friendly options as well as more flagship pro options, (aka larger price points) to ensure that every photographer finds a camera that fits their specific needs.

What to Look for in a Pro Mirrorless System

Controls

A good mirrorless system for professionals needs to offer complete control of the most-used settings, and yet also be intuitive and easy to use. Being able to customize the controls to your liking is a huge bonus, too. Lastly, touchscreens are incredibly useful, especially when they offer complete functionality: on-screen subject selection, AF point control while using the electronic viewfinder, and menu & playback control.

Build Quality

Durable build quality is an absolute must for all pro photographers, of course. You are going to be paying your bills with these tools, so you need them to last as many years as possible! Thankfully, many pro and even prosumer cameras today are made of metal bodies and have full weather sealing.

Adapters

For some photographers who already own an arsenal of DSLR lenses, making the jump to mirrorless will involve an entire line of new lenses, which is a significant investment for most. While we do highly recommend using native mirrorless lenses almost exclusively, there are indeed some fantastic adapters available to let you use DSLR lenses, too.

Battery Life

One of the big barriers to entry with mirrorless systems for most professionals has been battery life. Traditionally mirrorless systems didn’t last as long on a single battery compared to their DSLR counterparts. With advances in this technology, while the mirrorless still may not last as long on a single charge as the DSLRs out there, they have made leaps and bounds in their longevity and will only continue to do so.

One trick that we highly recommend to pro photographers who do significantly longer events or other types of work is this: Make sure your camera can be powered by a USB battery, or at least charged via USB! USB-PD is preferred, as it is the fastest way charge a camera battery.

Video Capabilities

Some, but not all photographers will require a pro mirrorless camera that provides both high quality photo results as well as excellent video. The modern photographer is likely to get the best of both images and videos. Oppositely, however, if you’re exclusively a photographer then there are limited opportunities to save money, since most cameras prominently focus on both mediums.

Best Mirrorless Cameras For Professionals

Canon EOS R5

Canon set the bar rather high with the launch of the $3,899 EOS R5. They put nearly every feature you could think of into it, including a 45MP full-frame sensor, IBIS, (sensor stabilization) and one of the best autofocus systems on the market at the time. For the working pros, it offers dual card slots, and for those who also do video, the Canon R5 offers 8k video capability!

If you’re a still and video shooter, this camera fills in nearly every gap between video and photography work. Even if you only shoot photos, the R5 is still our top choice from Canon. The Dual Pixel AF system is inherited from the flagship Canon EOS-1DX series, and is capable of shooting at 20fps with continuous autofocus tracking! This makes it a versatile camera, indeed, whether you are photographing portraits & weddings, or action sports & wildlife, or landscapes & travel.

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Sony A7R IV

The A7R IV is an incredible option from Sony that delivers on pretty much anything you can possibly want in a mirrorless system. Its staggering 60-megapixel sensor, with impressive dynamic range at ISO 100 and respectably low ISO noise at very high ISOs, this camera rivals medim format digital cameras. This is even more impressive considering the price, (the A7R IV is currently an “older generation” camera compared to the A7R V) …and it also also offers the most diverse lineup of full-frame lenses on the market. Last but not least, Sony’s incredibly reliable autofocus is indeed the best in the business, especially for those photographers who wish to detect and track subjects’ eyes.

The $2,998 Sony A7R IV not only stands alone as having the highest resolution of any full-frame camera on the market at present, but it also offers professionals the must-have features: in-body stabilization, dual card slots, best-in-class battery life, and extensive controls & customizability.

For those with a slightly bigger budget, the Sony A7R V is essentially the same camera but with a dedicated AI  processor for subject detection, making its autofocus capabilities even more uncanny.

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Nikon Z8

The latest pro mirrorless camera from Nikon brings a 45.7MP full-frame sensor inherited from the exotic flagship Nikon Z9. The Nikon Z8 offers 5-axis in-body stabilization, dual memory card slots, 20-30 FPS framerate, 8K 60p video, and an autofocus system also inherited from the flagship Z9. It’s a marvel that the price tag is $3,996!

The Z8 is a semi-flagship pro camera from Nikon, in between the Z9 and the Z7 II, with many incredible improvements and benefits above all its predecessors. Of course, when paired with the FTZ adapter allowing F-mount lenses, or mounting the new S-Mount mirrorless lenses, the image quality is absolutely incredible.

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Fujifilm X-T5

Expanding on the classic X-T line from Fuji, the X-T5 offers everything you ever wanted in an APS-C system. With a truly incredible savings compared to full-frame professional mirrorless cameras, this is one of the best compact mirrorless cameras on the market!

Its 5-axis IBIS can partner up with lens stabilization. Its new battery type is a sizable leap forward compared to the previous battery. Also, it is one of the only APSC mirrorless cameras with dual memory card slots.

The X-T5 is an absolute pleasure to use, with its classic retro design, and is available in black as well as a silver model. It’s priced at a mere $1,699!

The X-T5 uses a 40-megapixel X-Trans BSI CMOS sensor and offers 425-point hybrid AF with subject detection and tracking, making it a solid choice for most all-around types of photographers. Also, Fuji’s lineup of APSC format lenses offers the most extensive professional choices of any mount, including a full assortment of f/1.4 primes, f/2.8 zooms, and even some f/1.0 and f/1.2 lens options, too!

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Best Pro Mirrorless Cameras | Conclusion

These mirrorless cameras offer a wide variety of excellent systems for photographers and videographers alike, though our focus here has been primarily on photography. There are many options to choose from, so be sure to remember that these systems will leverage the latest and greatest of what mirrorless technology has to offer, such as impressive subject detection & focusing, extended battery life, and all necessary pro features, controls, and customizations.

There are definitely much more expensive high-end flagship cameras out there, of course. We could recommend a Nikon Z9, or a Canon EOS R3, or a Sony A1, quite easily. Simply put, those are the absolute most-expensive cameras on the market, and for good reason. We are recommending these specific cameras above because they offer by far the best VALUE to working pros. (Every dollar you save on your camera body is one you can save towards lenses!)

The most important thing is, knowing what you need, specifically for your creative style or subject genre. Remember that almost all mirrorless cameras can meet a professional photographer’s needs, however, this list has some of the best options available for the professional photographer looking to make the jump into mirrorless systems.

Understand and Manage The Timeline

As with most cultural traditions, each couple and each family may take a unique approach to cultural traditions.  For example, some Vietnamese couples will have two ceremonies, one at the bride’s house and then another one at the groom’s home.  Other times, they only have one, and sometimes they skip the event all together. In another example, when a Chinese or Vietnamese bride or groom is marrying someone from another culture, it’s not uncommon to see the tea ceremony incorporated into the wedding ceremony itself rather than as a separate event.

As the creative on the job, be sure to memorize and understand the timeline and be flexible for any last second changes or requests. If there are going to be multiple tea ceremonies and outfit changes, make sure the timeline is adequate for full coverage, especially if you’re covering prep for each outfit. Travel time can also add up quickly in densely populated areas. It is not unusual for Chinese or Vietnamese wedding coverage to run between 12 and 18 hours.

Here is a typical order of events for a tea ceremony:

1. Groom and his family/friends arrive at bride’s home
2. Door games (more common in Chinese weddings)
3. Bride makes an entrance
4. Welcome Speech or toast (often by father of the bride)
5. Brewing of Tea (Bridesmaid or sibling)
6. Tea served by bride and groom to relatives  (often in order or seniority)
7. Gifts provided to the bride and groom (often jewelry)
8. Food (Often a roasted pig)

Be Prepared for “Everyday” Surroundings

As mentioned, most tea ceremonies take place in the bride’s living room.  Sometimes these can be beautifully decorated and photogenic and other times, they can be everyday living rooms, with potentially distracting elements like televisions, kids’ toys and more.  Be prepared for any type of environment and utilize your composition and lighting skills to deemphasize unattractive parts of the scene.

Be Prepared for Tight Spaces

Many tea ceremonies have dozens or even hundreds of relatives and friends gathered in a living room or hotel suite.  Be prepared for tight spaces and be sure to stay assertive, while remaining polite, in getting to the optimal positions.  Consider medium zoom lenses, such as a 24-70mm lens for maximum versatility.

Plan Your Angles

If you’re shooting alone and can only get one perspective, it’s usually more important to get an angle that features the people the bride and groom are serving, as opposed to the bride and groom. For coverage with multiple shooters, capture both the bride and groom as well as the guests they’re serving.

Crop in Tight and Remember the Details

Remember to capture a variety of angles and perspectives.  The most creative and interesting crops are sometimes the tight ones.  This is particularly true if the environment is messy or unappealing.

In addition, tight crops of the action, such as the image of just the hands holding the tea or putting on jewelry can help tell a story.  See the images below.

Focus on Emotion

In many traditional Asian cultures, the tea ceremony is the actual moment that the bride and groom are married.  Traditionally, it signifies the moment that the bride is leaving her home and joining the groom in a new life.  As you can expect, this can trigger some strong emotions of joy and sadness for the couple and their family members.  Be prepared to capture the action.

Carve Out Time Before or After the Ceremony for Portraits

Many times, the bride and groom will be changing out of their traditional attire into a white “Western” wedding dress after the tea ceremony.  So be sure to capture all of the individual and couples portraits that you and your clients want before this happens.  Tea ceremonies are often followed by lunch, so you may have some time there to pull the couple out while everyone else is eating.

Conclusion

We hope that this helps prepare you to capture better tea ceremony images.   If you’re interested in more wedding photography education, we have a full training system that teaches you every aspect of wedding photography, including how to capture cultural weddings such as the tea ceremony.  For more information, check out the Wedding Photography Training System.  If you’re interested in learning about other cultural weddings, you may be interested in the following articles:

• Jewish Wedding Photography Tips
• Persian Wedding Photography Guide
• Hindu Wedding Photography Guide
• Mormon Wedding Photography Guide
• Catholic Wedding Photography Guide

Embrace the Shadows

Try to get used to histograms that are pushed to the left, with steep spikes in the shadow zones. This is known as a “low key” image, an image dominated by shadows , very few midtones, and just a few highlights to create the interesting parts of the image.

Remember, although it is very useful to understand the Exposure Triangle here, a “correct” exposure isn’t always perfectly in the middle of the histogram! An exposure is correct if it fits your creative vision.

Choose the Right Scenes and Locations

The dark and moody style of photography is a great match for scenes with shadows and blacks such as indoor scenes, golden hour sunsets, and woods or forests, just to name a few.  In contrast, the dark and moody style is generally not as good of a match for bright, high-key scenes with colorful elements.

Of course, this is just a general rule of thumb and the creative choices are entirely up to the photographer.  Here are a few examples of scenes that work well for the dark and moody vibe.

This is one of the subjects that is covered in the Wanderlust Workshop; be sure to check it out for more information!

The best tip you can remember when you are out and about during a photo shoot is, just ask yourself how the location looks and feels. It is really easy to sense the mood of a location!

Edit for the Dark and Moody Style

Most photos that start off with at least some good shadows can be edited to greatly enhance a dark, moody style. The best way to start? Simply darken your exposure 1.5 to 2.5 stops, and then raise your Highlights and Whites sliders.

It sounds odd, but this actually gives much better results than trying to start with a brightly exposed image and darken just the shadows. Try it! This is actually one of our favorite tricks for dark and moody photography, and it’s integrated into the Visual Flow Preset System’s Retouching Tool Pack and the Mood preset pack.

Use Flash Sparingly (if at all)

The dark and moody style of photography usually works best with a more organic, natural light approach. Not necessarily because you can’t create similarly dramatic, dark lighting conditions using flash, but because it often just doesn’t look natural.

If flash is used, it looks best when it mimics natural light. So, create an image with lots of shadows, use the highlights on the subject to catch the viewer’s attention. Last but not least, you usually want to keep the light directional but soft.

In the above example, you can see the natural light image on the left, and the flash added on the right. Our goal with adding flash was to imitate the look of some light filtering through the trees.

In editing, thanks to how the image was originally lit and exposed, it becomes easier to enhance the shadows and create a dramatic, dark and moody photo. See how to create this look with our  Rich autumn portrait video tutorial.

Don’t Be Afraid of Direct Light (Don’t Always Shoot Soft Light/Backlit)

In portrait photography, we often think that soft light is best, and most of the time, it is.  However, when used with intention and purpose, hard light can be beautiful too, and can match the vibe of a dark and moody photo.

So, for portraits (as well as other types of photos) consider trying direct sunlight, especially when used as side light. Alternately, when using backlight, simply use a darker exposure to accentuate the highlights around the subject. Here are some more examples…

Dark and Moody Photography Inspiration

Below are more examples of dark and moody photography. Enjoy! No matter what type of portraiture subject you photograph, and even if you’re not capturing portraits at all, the dark and moody style has many possibilities…

Conclusion

Dark and moody photos offer a unique, creative view of the world that conveys a strong message. The style of photography may not be for everybody, however, if it resonates with you then hopefully you are feeling inspired to dive in and try it!

For more information and inspiration, see this article on Wedding Maps on Dark and Moody Wedding Photography.

This article will cover all types of desert photography.  For more detailed information on desert portrait shoots, see our desert photoshoot article over on Wedding Maps.

Desert Photography Tips

1. Understand the Different Types of Deserts.
2. Make Sure you Prep for Tough Conditions
3. Bring All the Essential Gear
4. Choose the Right Lenses
5. Fall Back on the Basics of Landscape Photography
6. Seek Out Patterns
7. Let the Sun Provide Low-Angle Lighting
8. Capture the Full Colors of the Sunset
9. Snap Breathtaking Silhouettes During Twilight
10. Make Use of the Gorgeous Night Sky

Understand the Different Types of Deserts.

While there are many types of deserts from a scientific perspective, from a photographer’s perspective, there are three primary types of backdrops that you’ll encounter: 1) Deserts with sand dunes, 2) Deserts with plants and 3) Deserts with rock formations.  See some of the examples below.

Deserts with Sand Dunes

Sand Dunes are the quintessential desert photo.

Deserts with Plants

The cacti and other drought tolerant plants in the desert are full of character, with spikes, textures and shapes not found anywhere else.

Deserts with Rock Formations

The rock formations in desert landscapes create beautiful backdrops for desert photography.

Make Sure You Prep for Tough Conditions

There’s a reason deserts have less life than more verdant regions. The dry conditions and the ceaseless sunlight make it tough for most organisms to get by, and humans are no exception. In order to cope, make sure you bring a hat, clothes that cover your skin, and a powerful sunblock. You should also consider planning your trip for the colder months of the year. A journey into the desert can be unpleasant and even dangerous during moments of extreme heat. Plenty of water is also a must in the desert no matter when you visit.

In addition, be prepared for unpredictable weather events such as sandstorms.

Bring All the Essential Gear

In addition to health and safety-related supplies, you also need to pack the photography equipment necessary for desert photography. A typical outing will require the following pieces of equipment:

• Lenses, from wide-angle to telephoto
• A tripod
• A lens pen for removing sand from cameras
• A lens cover
• Extra batteries
• An umbrella for the tripod during high winds

You might get away with missing some of this equipment, but you should try to bring as much of it as possible.

Choose the Right Lenses

While you should try to bring as many lenses as you can realistically carry, some are more important than others. A wide-angle lens is essential for capturing as much of the beauty in a single frame as possible. It will also allow you to show the full beauty of foreground details. A telephoto lens, meanwhile, is perfect for capturing beauty in the distance. A huge desert photography tip when selecting lenses is to identify your subject and choose a lens accordingly.

One important note is that you should try your best to avoid unnecessary lens changes in the desert, especially in deserts with fine grain sand.  A little bit of bad luck with the wind and your camera body can get infiltrated by pesky sand that is hard to clean.  If you have to choose, stick to a versatile focal length range such as 24-70mm.

Fall Back on the Basics of Landscape Photography

While a desert’s geography is certainly unique, you can still employ the basics of general landscape photography, especially when it comes to composition. A desert photography tip to keep in mind is to keep your eyes peeled for leading lines, interesting forms, and tidy framing possibilities. This should be easy given the number of fascinating objects present in a typical desert landscape. Lines are especially prevalent in arid climates, with sand, rocks, and cacti providing exciting composition opportunities.

Related Reading: Tips for Visiting and Photographing the Death Valley Super Bloom

In the following example, see how Tanya Parada utilizes negative space in her composition to illustrate vastness.

Seek Out Patterns

One of our favorite desert photography tips is to search for patterns in the sand to aid in your composition. Windswept sand, scraggly plants, and twisted rock formations can all boast unique and exciting patterns. Always be on the lookout for these when roaming the desert with your camera. Train your eye on what’s near and far, big and small. You might find a pattern on a tiny stone by your feet or a series of distant mountain peaks. Wherever they present themselves, patterns make for great photography.

Let the Sun Provide Low-Angle Lighting

Desert scenes often boast wonderful natural lighting. This is especially true in the winter when the sun is lower in the sky. Some of the most spectacular desert photographs are taken with the sun backlighting cacti or other plant life. Try visiting the desert in the morning or late afternoon, and always keep your eyes peeled for these ideal conditions.

Capture the Full Colors of the Sunset

The dry weather in the deserts are often accompanied by incredible oranges and reds in the sunset skies. Be prepared to capture these colors by utilizing the proper sunset photography techniques. In particular, watch your histogram to ensure that you aren’t blowing out any highlights or clipping any shadows. This will allow you bring back all of these colors in post production. We recommend using the HDR Natural Presets in the Visual Flow Preset packs.

Snap Breathtaking Silhouettes During Twilight and Sunset

The minutes immediately following sunset provide some of the best opportunities for sensational desert photography. Whatever you lose in color is easily made up for by the spectacular shading of desert silhouettes. From cacti to rock formations, all sorts of desert features look their best in profile before a darkened sky. If you arrive in the desert earlier in the day, make note of any arresting features while taking your daytime shots. Then, once the sun has begun setting, hurry back to these spots for remarkable twilight shooting.

See the sunset silhouette examples below.

Make Use of the Gorgeous Night Sky

As breathtaking as the desert can be during the day, some argue that it becomes even more beautiful at night. The unique forms and rugged beauty of a desert landscape provide ambitious photographers with a great opportunity to put their nocturnal skills to the test. To really capture the essence of the desert night sky, you’ll need a full-frame camera, a wide-angle lens, and a cable release so you can avoid touching the camera. With the right equipment and an appealing subject for the foreground, your nighttime desert photos could be the best shots of your entire trip.

What to Check Before Heading Out

Now that you know all of these helpful desert photography tips, it’s time to plan the photography trip of a lifetime. Here are some questions to ask yourself before heading out:

• Have I packed everything I need for the harsh desert conditions?
• Have I planned my trip for the right time of year?
• Have I made sure the weather forecast is okay?
• Have I checked for the possibility of dangerous sandstorms?
• Do I have all the equipment I need?

If you answered “yes” to all these questions, then it’s time to grab your camera and hit the desert.

Conclusion: Bringing Your Desert Photographs to the Next Level

The desert is one of the most breathtaking natural landscapes on the planet. With the necessary equipment and proper mindset, you should be able to capture some truly spectacular images. Keep these desert photography tips in mind as you plan and execute your trip.

Idea #1: Pano Stitching (AKA Brenizer Method)

Also known as The Brenizer Method, wide aperture panoramic stitching allows you to create a narrow depth of field and focus on your subject while still showing every detail of the environment. Perfect for scenic shots, this is a great way to mix it up when you’ve got an incredible scenic background to show off. Usually created by stitching 9 to 24 (or more) images together, this technique takes some practice and specific settings to pull off.

Panoramic images have such a dynamism about them – they hold the ability to capture an expansive space and compress it into a single image. Create high resolution environmental portraits via the Brenizer Method that showcase your subjects and their surroundings. Wide aperture panoramic stitching works best with lenses that give you a shallow depth of field and greater compression. Watch our full course on conceptualizing & executing the Brenizer method here.

Creative Photography Idea #2: Spray Bottle

A spray bottle is a simple tool that you would never think to use for photography, mostly because we stay clear of all water whenever given the chance.  Essentially, the water droplets on the lens catches light coming into the lens and creates interesting bokeh patterns across your image.  If you’re worried about damaging your lens, try doing this creative photography idea with a lens filter over the lens.

See the full spray bottle tutorial here.

Directions:

• Spray water on desired part of the lens
• Control the size of the foreground bokeh by adjusting your aperture (wider aperture = bigger bokeh)
• Make sure there’s no dirt on your lens, because you can scratch your lens while wiping the water off

Creative Photography Idea #3: Mixed Lighting

Although most shooters tend to stay clear of mixing lighting to avoid discolored skin-tones, the effect can actually increase the interest of your image when done correctly.

The trick is to separate the light sources so the temperatures don’t mix unintentionally or over the subjects’ bodies.  Mixing daylight and tungsten, for example, and then correcting for the skin tones can send your backgrounds into an interesting and moody orange, as you see in the image above.

The opposite is true when you light your couple with a tungsten light during blue hour.  The mixed lighting sends the skies into a deep blue, adding interest, as you see in the image below.

For more information, see our articles on White Balance and Color Temperature.

Creative Photography Idea #4: Long Exposures

A sky full of stars as a backdrop is bound to leave your clients impressed and is quite possibly one of easier tricks as it requires no gimmick, just a little extra time in post production. These shots can either be composited with a starry night sky or if you choose to do a single shot long exposure, you can use Rear Curtain Sync on your off-camera flash.

Creative Photography Idea #5: Free Lensing

This technique requires some DIY-ing but it creates a look that brides are sure to love. Free lensing is a technique that uses broken lens to let light bleed through the edges of the frame, creating different flares and color. We’ve used a broken Canon 50mm f/1.8 for the shot above, holding it off the camera body allowing light to flare through. Aperture doesn’t play a role in the photo considering the lens has been stopped down to a specific number prior to usage and it’s disconnected from the camera body. This gives images a slight tilt-shift effect without the cost of a tilt-shift lens. See how we post-produce these images here.

Idea #6: Tilt Shift

A tilt-shift lens is meant to throw the focus plane off, helping you focus on multiple subjects to create interest or correct perspective. At first, it is difficult to navigate the functionality of a tilt-shift lens, but like any other technique it’s a matter of trial and error. Understanding how the focus plane works is the main hurdle to cross because it is such a non-traditional perspective. The image above was created using a Canon 90mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift lens.

Creative Photography Idea #7: Shoot Throughs

Here is a technique that requires you to think outside the box no matter what location you are in. Shooting through objects can yield you with a variety of unique compositions, flares, and perspectives. We have a full special effects course outlining the various accessories that can be used to create dramatic and uncommon light flares, or even to re-create golden hour.

Idea #8: Atmospheric Aerosol/Fog

A little bit of fog in some places can add a lot of depth and texture to a scene. Fog machines would be the ultimate tool for a trick like this, however, they are often too cumbersome to carry around on shoots, and they do cost a pretty penny. Here’s where Atmosphere Aerosol comes to the rescue: these cans of fog are extremely affordable and allow you to spray the areas you want the fog.  Of the creative photography ideas listed in this article, using this product is one of the easiest and most straightforward.

Directions:

• Fill the scene with the desired amount of fog
• Using a reflector (or any thin, broad object), waft the fog around to control the spread

Idea 9: Whip Pan

Having a lens with built in IS (image stabilization) will create a straighter line going across the image. Watch the full tutorial of the whip pan technique here.

Directions:

• Slow shutter speed to 0.5-1 seconds
• Loosen tripod head
• Press shutter button then quickly pan in one direction
• Use rear curtain sync to freeze subject

Idea #10: Reflections

A prism can be used to add unique reflections, change your composition, or even add a flare. The best part is that it’s portable, and you can bring it to any shoot. See how we created the image above in this behind-the-scenes video!  At around $20, adding a prism to your toolkit will give you an easy way to add creativity to your images.  Like any of these ideas, just be sure to not overuse it, as it can become too identifiable and cheesy if you do.

Directions:

• Bring the prism up to your lens, twist and turn until you find your desired composition
• Keep note of which photos you like and how you held the prism, so you can easily re-create the look later

#11 – Double Exposure

I’ve always been fascinated with double exposures. Whether you create them in-camera (which is challenging but a lot of fun) or later in post production software like Photoshop, you can create some cool effects and communicate surreal and conceptual ideas. The possibilities are endless with this one. Read more about how to create double exposures in-camera and in Photoshop in these two articles:

Idea 12 – Composites & overlays

It’s fun to get creative in Photoshop with overlays and composite elements. Whether you add a simple cloud overlay to add interest to the sky, a texture overlay to bring some life and feeling into your images or elements that are difficult or impossible to capture live (like smoke, lighting, fire, water splashes, etc.) overlays and composite elements can help take your images from regular to extraordinary photo illustrations.  Read my tutorial for creating the above composite here:

Conclusion

Having a few of these creative photography ideas up your sleeve can help you distinguish yourself from other photographers.  They can help you transform average or boring scenes into interesting ones.  And, of course, they’re fun to try and practice.   So get out there and try them!

Best Wedding Album Makers for Pros

The following wedding album makers primarily serve professional photographers, and most (in this section) require a special account available through photography studios only. All of the companies on this list have earned their reputation over time, consistently producing and delivering top-quality photo albums that let your photos shine and make your customers happy.

Vision Art

Vision Art is the SLR Lounge selection for the “Best Wedding Album Maker” for professional photographers.

When most people think of photo albums, they might not understand the difference between a professionally crafted album and a consumer-brand album. Vision Art provides luxurious, stylistic, and intricate wedding albums with quality that you can see and touch. Here’s a quick rundown of why it’s one of our preferred wedding album makers.

Custom Design Options

Unlike some of the more consumer-based wedding album options, often limited in terms of pre-designed layouts, cover and paper choices, as well as options for page finishes, Vision Art albums allow for more customizable design so that your clients will get the exact album of their dreams.

Clients can choose from a wide range of book sizes, binding & cover styles, materials, paper thickness, and more. In regards to designing the layout, you can use software like Fundy, Adobe InDesign or Photoshop, Pixellu SmartAlbums 2, or even Album Stomp to create jpegs, which you will submit to Vision Art for print. From the inside out, wedding albums from Vision Art are each one-of-a-kind.

Seamless Spreads and Flat Binding

Wedding albums with flat binding have become all the rage and for good reason. Vision Art’s flat-bound albums provide a perfect viewing experience by giving you flat and smooth print-outs across flat, seamless spreads.

Value for Money

Vision Art uses top quality materials to produce their albums, including archival inks for photos that will last a lifetime. What’s more, they pair such ink with a one-of-a-kind matte paper for a luxurious feel. These wedding albums are built to last, and the quality becomes apparent as soon as you hold one of their albums in your hands.

Bay Photo

Another high-quality wedding album maker worth looking into is Bay Photo. We’ve used Bay Photo for years and we’d recommend them without hesitation. Aside from producing amazing albums, Bay Photo also serves as a one-stop printing shop with a host of quality photo album and wall art products. Here are a few highlights that make Bay Photo one of our trusted wedding album makers.

Customizable Album Styles

Bay Photo’s three album styles include the Pacific, Sunrise, and Softbound albums. Every category carries a specification that you can mix and match for a personalized approach. The Pacific line allows for extensive customization, with cover options like paper, acrylic, metal, or wood photo covers, not to mention numerous other options for building  your perfect album. A few other design options include page thickness, page gilding, rounded or squared corners, and photographic or fine art paper types, among others.

Pro-Quality Paper Surfaces

In addition to great customization features, one standout option for designing albums includes the variety of paper surfaces that Bay Photo offers. You can choose from metallic, glossy, deep matte velvet, or luster for a unique appeal.

Free Design and Ordering Tools

Bay Photo has simplified the design and ordering process by offering in-house Bay Designer album design software. You can download and install the Bay Designer software for free, and then use it to design the album. You will select ordering options (such as cover options, paper types, and more) as you design the album, making it easy to submit the order once the design is complete.

Budget-Friendly Prices

For couples who can’t afford to splurge on a wedding album but still desire to have one, Bay Photo albums have budget-friendly options that make it a win-win for both you and your clients.

Finao

This album maker has long been one of SLR Lounge’s go-to options. It’s probably one of the oldest wedding album makers we’ve worked with that continue to provide top-notch quality for its clientele. Listed below are some of the reasons why it’s worth looking into using their products.

Undeniable Quality and Consistency

At no additional cost, the “Finao Police,” quality control experts will preemptively notify you of any issues with your files that might compromise the overall quality of the prints and ultimately, the output.

Customizable Options and Variety of Choices

To truly cater to clients’ needs for personalization, Finao offers a variety of materials and designs. From cut or creased pages to round or square spines, you can fine tune the album to your needs. A couple of our favorite album options include the ONE luxury flush mount album, as well as the nextONE matted album.  Regarding the latter, matted albums represent the “apex of elegance,” and you can custom design this option to include both flush and mounted pages to create a truly unique wedding album.

Reasonable Pricing

Finao’s pricing places this option somewhere in the mid-range. It is not the cheapest option, but the consistent quality we’ve mentioned above makes using Finao a worthwhile investment.

Blacksmith Print Co.

A rising star among the top wedding album makers is the photographer owned & operated Blacksmith Print Co. Founded in 2013, Blacksmith Print Co. prides itself on offering top-quality prints and albums, using only the best materials.

High-Quality Leather Covers

One of Blacksmith’s standouts is their use of high-quality Italian leather for the album cover. Available in seven options (four solids and three distressed), these leather covers are the real deal. Blacksmith does not use or offer faux-leather or vinyl cover options.

Heirloom Linens for a Unique Cover

Blacksmith Print Co. offers heirloom linens as a material for an album cover, an option that is hard to come by. The seven coated options you can choose from define elegance in their presentation and are guaranteed to be stain-resistant.

Unparalleled Quality and Customer Service

The Blacksmith Print Co. is owned and managed by a photographer who understands the need for amazing, impeccable, and high-quality albums. They’ve chosen to bypass the traditional route of many other album makers, which includes pitching themselves at all of the wedding conventions and trying to take on any photographer who wants to use them. Instead, they select the photographers they work with through an application process, and the attention they’re able to give to their photographer clientele, as a result, is unmatched.

Miller’s Professional Imaging

A quick look through one of Miller’s Signature Albums will leave a lasting impression on how you measure quality in photo albums from that point forward. One of the photography industry’s premier wedding album makers, and print labs in general, Miller’s has earned a stellar reputation based on their consistent high quality output over the years.

Customizable Options for Wide-Ranging Budgets

Like some of the other top options on this list, Miller’s offers an incredible range of options that you can use to customize the wedding album and fit both small and big budgets. With everything from wraparound covers using genuine leather or fine linens to archival quality photo and press papers, and a host of design options in between, Miller’s albums will undoubtedly exceed your client’s expectations.

In-House Art Department

Miller’s employs a team of experienced design professionals in their in-house art department. They can handle everything from retouching photos to designing your album. You can request a quote to take advantage of this service and then add the fee to the final cost of the album. If the service falls outside of your client’s budget, Miller’s has partnered with a number of album design software companies, such as Fundy Designer, Pixieset, and Zenfolio, to make themselves compatible with your design workflow.

GraphiStudio

The best of Italian album design is now within reach thanks to GraphiStudio! GraphiStudio boasts the very best of Italian craftsmanship in its albums, wall art, custom boxes, books, and prints. Each album is crafted in Italy, which may add to the waiting time, but as you could probably have guessed, their albums are worth the wait.

Wide Array of Quality Print Products

Like Bay Photo, GraphiStudio provides a wide range of products, including wedding albums, custom books, prints, wall art, and boxes. For clients looking to purchase and album as well as quality wall photo display can have their prints done by GraphiStudio.

Tailor-Made with High-Quality Material Options

GraphiStudio offers more book options than many of the other wedding album makers. Each of GraphiStudio’s photo albums is handcrafted with top-of-the-line materials, high-quality prints, and impeccable finishings. Their “Original Wedding Book,” for example, which features a patented panoramic flush mount, offers seven paper options from photo lustre to HD glossy, and the 22 cover options include organic linen and full grain leather, among others.

Innovative Design Options

GraphiStudio is pushing what’s possible with innovative design options, such as those offered in their exclusive Digital Matted Album. The level of customization is unprecedented with the available choice of formats, papers, covers, and coordinated accessories.

Best Wedding Album Makers: Available for Retail Consumers

It’s now time to discuss our top picks for wedding album makers that focus more on retail consumers and do not require a professional account. Don’t let the consumer access turn you off, however. While some consumer-based album makers might offer fewer design options, that is not always the case. Some consumer-centric product lines are actually fully customizable. Also, the quality of their products, in some cases, ranks right up there with professionally produced albums. Here are a few of our favorites.

Zno

Zno offers premium quality products at a fraction of the price of many “professional” print labs, and there’s no shortage of design options. If you’ve never ordered through Zno, they’re definitely worth a try. In fact, they’re confident enough in their products to offer a free, pre-designed album so that you can see their quality for yourself.

Integrated All-in-One Cloud Platform

Zno offers an all-in-one cloud platform not only for designs, but also for printing, galleries, slideshows, proofing (which costs a small fee to use), and more. This is ideal for clients who are looking for a full range of print products.

Variety of Designs and Bestsellers to Choose From

Zno’s album line-up includes bestsellers such as the Layflat Photo Book, Fine Art Album, and Flush Mount Album. You can also make your photo album part of a Presentation Box Album USB Set with a customizable USB drive, to give your clients the best of both worlds in terms of digital files and prints. These bestsellers are not only ideal for weddings but other events as well.

MPix

MPix, owned by Miller’s Lab, prides itself on the perfect mix of experience and visual quality that you can feel in their wedding albums. While you don’t have to have a professional account to use Mpix, they do offer a reward’s program that comes in handy for those who make frequent orders.

Flexible Album Pricing

People with limited budgets can still bask in the greatness of their memories because of Mpix’s flexible pricing. Customers can choose from economy books, premium books, or signature albums. The Signature Photo Album closely resembles the albums produced in pro labs with lay flat features, leather-bound covers, and archival quality prints and paper options. They also cost a bit more than Mpix’s other book options.

Easy-to-Use Design Software

Mpix’s in-house Album Builder design software makes it easy to design custom layouts and let the images tell the story they were meant to tell. Also, with a max of 100 pages to fill in the Signature album, you’ll have plenty of room to arrange an elegant layout for your clients.

Fast, Expert Shipping and Excellent Customer Service

MPix cares for its customers by providing excellent customer service and noticeably quick shipping. When you receive a shipment from Mpix, their expertise in packing their prints for safe travel becomes apparent. We’ve ordered a number of prints (even framed prints) from Mpix over the years and they never let us down. Also of note, their customer service team responds quickly to product inquiries.

Variety of Print Products

Mpix is one of the few wedding album makers on this list that serves as a one-stop shop for all kinds of photography prints and gift options. For example, they offer photo blankets, mugs, dog tags, luggage tags, magnets, holiday ornaments, and even playing cards! This strays a bit from the focus of this article, but is still useful information depending on what you or your clients are looking for.

ShutterFly

While you might not expect Shutterfly to offer elegant, professional quality wedding albums, the truth is they do. They even offer easy-to-use design tools to help you build a timeless book, and you can do it on a budget.

Reasonably Priced

If budget is a concern, Shutter Fly offers affordable options. They are known to be one of the biggest album makers in the photography community and one of the reasons why is their affordable prices.

Comes with Shutter Fly Software for Editing

Coming up with a layout for a photo album is now made easier with Shutter Fly’s native software. In it, you can put in cutouts, use available templates and add in some text for a unique presentation. They also offer and recommend an automatic “Make My Album” design option, using an in-house team, at no extra cost (at least for a limited time). You can still edit and customize your book before ordering when you use this option. This might be an option if you’re newer to album design; otherwise, we would recommend studying album design and practicing on your own to tell your client’s story.

More Information

Along with your album maker, most professionals will need to choose an album proofing solution as well.  See our list of the best online album proofing options to help with that step of the decision process.