Amy & Mark's Thornton, New Hampshire Wedding Album

I swear, they are considering giving me my own parking space at the Portland Post Office. At this point in the wedding season, it's my second home (my car actually seems to be my primary residence of late) as July, August and even September wedding albums are being shipped for delivery from there almost daily.

I always have mixed feelings as I box up these beautiful books and say goodbye. On the one hand, I am thrilled that they are headed home where they'll be loved and looked over daily. But on the other, the album delivery marks the denouement of my dealings as Samantha Warren Weddings with these couples (though often not as Samantha Warren, because so many clients do stay in touch and even become good friends). And, these albums are so awesomely attractive -both to the eyes and to the touch- that it's tough to let them go.

Amy and Mark's 40 page 12 by 12 signature album of their Thornton, New Hampshire wedding back in mid-July was no exception. Initially, the couple hadn't planned on purchasing an album, but the second Amy saw my album samples when Kyle and I met her for a get-to-know-you dinner on the deck at Flatbread, she knew she had to have one! While albums may not be for everyone, I truly think they are the finest and the most fitting was to showcase the story of the wedding from start to finish, and not just the individual moments that framed prints convey. For this reason, I am thrilled that more and more of my clients this year and next year are purchasing packages with albums, and while some photographers dislike designing them, for me, it's a continuation of the storytelling process that began on the wedding day (and even before) I actually love doing!

In fitting with Amy and Mark's green wedding, I designed them an album that actually had a vegan cover, rather than a leather one. This had little effect on the design process, except that the cover couldn't be stamped with their name and date like a leather cover, and thus I had their name and date printed on the opening page of their book (see above). They were also happy to know that the album company I use employs many eco-friendly practices, including recycled packing products and hand assembly.

Upon receiving their album, here is what Amy wrote to me: "We were blown away by our album. Mark and I went through it on Friday when he got back from traveling. He oohed and ahhed as much as I did. We both kept agreeing how worth it it was to spend the money on that. Something you just can never get back and an album we could never create. It actually came out so much better than I thought. Looking at the images on the web to edit did not do it a bit of justice. And OH how I LOVED the wrapping the greenish of it all. I will SOO use that outside box from Maine for presents! It will be reused. Love the feel of the cover. I hope our parents are blown away as much as we were. Surprised beyond belief. I wished we paid for you for the whole weekend from Fri - Sun. (sigh)."

Here is a look at what they so love...

A ceremony spread- notice the barely there gutter as the album has creased pages rather than cut ones.


As Amy noted above, the quality and color and clarity of the images is beyond imagine, and so true to life that it's almost like looking out a window on the scene itself.




This is easily one of my most favorite spreads from the book. This image is two feet across, and the effect when you turn the page and see it is literally jaw-dropping. In hand, the gutter is barely visible.


I always try to include a scene-setting details spread.


And we couldn't leave out that cake!


Here are some of the page design files...







































You can read more about Amy and Mark's wedding here, or watch their slideshow here. And do email me at sam@samanthawarrenweddings.com if you'd like to learn more about my album offerings.