With a rise in new platforms to share and store photos, the creation of physical photo albums to hold the memories of people and past events has become increasingly obsolete. The surging popularity of social media, in particular, has led to many displaying photos online rather than creating albums—believing it to be cheaper, easier, and more time-efficient. However, there exists an unseen value in having a physical, printed ‘feed’ that many people may not realize. The utilization of albums as record-keeping devices allows for the preservation of more permanent and long-lasting memories—forging a personal connection that can be cherished for much longer than if they were withheld in online storage.

The first commercial photo albums appeared during the rise of photography in the 1860s. Starting out as a simple method to hold single photos of family members, photo albums have developed rapidly along with the advancements of technologies through the 20th and into the 21st century.

A Brief Timeline

There is a large variety in styles when it comes to photo albums, each with their own characteristics; some of which may suit your interests more than others. Since the introduction of digital photography and the internet, the options and processes for the making of albums has greatly expanded.

Types of Photo Albums

Images via Unsplash and Photobook America

​

• Coffee table books (larger, hardcover photo-books placed on a coffee table for entertainment purposes)
• Flush mount albums (hardcover, thick pages with photos dry-mounted on cardboard; high quality and expensive albums for special occasions like weddings and anniversaries)​

​

• Montage albums (photo layout designed online and printed; more freedom for text and graphics, as well as the overall structure of album; can also use templates designed by professionals)
• Storybook album (recounts story of one specific event like a wedding or vacation)​

Images via Martha Stewart and PikPerfect

Image via LifeSavvy

---

​

• Scrapbooking album (collection of photos over a period of time; photos can be added as each event occurs or compiled all at the end to tell a history)

Through an interview, Tania Pope and Soowon Song—​passionate supporters of photo albums—​take the time to answer some commonly asked questions and to explain the principal differences between simply keeping photos online vs. having a physical copy of photos in an album. Whether these albums are handmade or printed, having a tangible place to keep photos is a point that both interviewees repeatedly stressed throughout the Q&A. 

Up Close and Personal

Commonly Asked Questions + Interview

How are physically and digitally kept photos any different?

• Having access to a physically printed album makes accessing photos so much easier; the photos online need to be pulled up that would lessen the chances I would go back to look at them (Pope)

• Physical photos "last longer" than digital photos, because when you take the time to scrapbook, the pictures are less likely to be forgotten (Song)
• Rather than creating an album by hand, designing a photobook online and printing it out can decrease the time required to make one, all while maintaining the personal aspect of a photo album (Pope)

What is the value in albums as record-keeping devices? Why make one?

• A photobook keeps the memories more alive and real by providing a greater tactile and visual sensation​ (Pope)
• Dedicating time to put an album together and frame past memories can not only serve as a personal hobby during spare time, but can also bring a great feeling of satisfaction and connection (Song)
• Taking the time to create an album can create more than a book with pictures—it can create a story reminding viewers of positive experiences by combining writing with photos and art to create a certain motif or plot (Pope)​

What is the process of creating an album? How does it bring about creative freedom?

• Using premade layouts and design features on photography websites, such as Shutterfly, can make the process of picking photos and customizing pages an extremely convenient and creative process; it only takes a couple days to design and print a photobook to store and cherished memory (Pope)

• ​Personally creating a photobook is a very hands-on, creative process that requires time and patience; however, being able to see and touch the pictures in real life makes the manual process much more preferable than creating online albums (Song) ​

Let's take a look!

Below are the pages of albums from Soowon Song; some were created online and printed, others by simply filling in photo slots, while another was created with an element of design and a scrapbook-style approach. Each album has its own characteristics that make it unique aside from the photos themselves: some pages contain pressed leaves or flowers from a particular day, while others have small comments scribbled in to give it a more personalized touch. 

Images via Grace Chung

Regarding the steps to making a personal photobook, there are several different methods (as Soowon Song and Tania Pope mentioned). Scrapbooking—a process very similar to that of making photo albums—is simply adding more text and decorations unique to the events pictured in the photos; it is essentially a more advanced version of photobooks. Another option is to utilize online options, the most popular being Shutterfly, which provides a multitude of customization and personalization options with easy navigation. Pope has personally used it to create many of her own photobooks, and has recommended its use for its convenience.​

Create your own

Mei-Ying Chow | DIY HOW TO SCRAPBOOK ideas + tips, digital video

The Fife Life | HOW TO MAKE A SHUTTERFLY PHOTO BOOK, digital video

Although the creations of photo albums themselves seem to be decreasing due to innovations in technology, as well as factors such as cost and efficiency, current trends seem to suggest a possibility of the return of albums, or at the very least, physical, printed photographs.

Disposable cameras, Polaroids, and other instant film cameras have had a surge in popularity—resulting in more people recognizing the value in printed photos as opposed to online ones. Websites aiding in the creations of online albums have also become much easier to use and navigate by including more options for those interested in personalizing and tailoring albums to match their own tastes. Additionally, activities similar to the process of decorating albums—such as scrapbooking, bullet journaling and other decorative arts—have recently begun garnering lots of attention.

There is still hope that albums too, will soon make a comeback as a mainstream method of storing and preserving precious memories.


***** 

​If you are looking to create your own album, popular album printing websites include Shutterfly or Mixbook. For more photo-book options, local pharmacies commonly offer photo printing and developing at affordable prices if you are looking to create a more traditional album without the use of online platforms.

Webpage Design by Grace Chung and Kaylyn Zhong