I can’t emphasize enough to my couples & families to get their photos printed!! Having your photos in mini albums or hanging on your walls lets you enjoy them so much more & you get to re-live those happy moments on a day-to-day basis. This is definitely something I am actively pursuing for my own family so I thought I would put together some of my top favorite ways to get your photos off of your phone or computer and into your hands! These ideas range from down-right cheap to works of art so there is a fit for any budget or occasion. I am all about celebrating life’s adventures – whether that’s as small as an iPhone shot of a kiddo, or a gorgeous wedding portrait – they all deserve to be featured & enjoyed!
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Company: Chatbooks
What it is: Mini (6×6″ or 8×8″) soft back albums printed one image per page straight from your phone
“We started Chatbooks in 2014 as a small family affair. I didn’t have time to make scrapbooks–or even print photos!–of my seven kids. But I was reminded of how much children love photos of their everyday lives when a preschool teacher gave my youngest son an album of the year. Each night, when I went to tuck him in, he was looking at the photos. I didn’t have time for another project, but I did post photos on Instagram for my family and friends to see. Could I turn those into photo books—automatically? And that’s why my husband, Nate, and I started Chatbooks.” – Vanessa Quigley, Co-Founder
Use for: Printing every day moments, chronicling life’s adventures, small memories
Why I love it: Links to your Instagram, option to auto-generate books, inexpensive, can order straight from their easy to use app – I make my own every season or so, or you can make them by hashtag like I did for #lemonruth! I actually made a personal Instagram account nearly for the sole purpose of linking it to Chatbooks. I was tired of my fun photos with friends & little adventures sitting on my phone & just forgetting about them. If you want a little behind the scenes look at our life, request to follow @ruthadventures!
Company: Artifact Uprising
What it is: USA based album & print company specializing in quality materials & simple design
Use for: Special occasions or photoshoots – engagement session, (guestbook at wedding), family session, anniversary session
Why I love it: These albums are beautiful, a little arty, and great quality. The archival quality paper is 100% recycled and made in the USA. These make perfect guestbooks for my wedding clients & are relatively inexpensive. A.U. has also expanded their offerings a ton over the last few years and have great gift items like desktop calendars and print displays.
Company: Shutterfly
What it is: Big box photo company that makes a ton of different products
Use for: Specific vacations – my favorite are the 8×8 hard cover photo books
Why I love it: Shutterfly books are fun, and having a little album for each vacation makes trips even more special. I have one for our move west, our honeymoon to Thailand, a trip to Hawaii & I plan on making one for Argentina. Done is better than perfect for these – I like the quality & vibrancy of the paper and they are pretty inexpensive. They’re also great about sending coupons in the mail or running sales online!
Company: Easy Canvas Prints
What it is: Affordable, canvas prints
Use for: Medium to large size canvas prints
Why I love it: Decent quality for the price, extremely fast shipping, always running sales (75%-85% off). I may get some flak for this one (quality may not be the absolute *best*), but I’ve been very happy with the several photos I have hanging in our home! Their software is pretty easy to use and shows your photo in a room so you can tell how big or small the print will be. Try using this company for a landscape shot you took on vacation or for a more artistic family portrait!
Comapny: Framebridge
What it is: Custom framing service that also offers design help
Use for: Photos you consider art – the perfect moment captured between mother & son, your favorite landscape from your vacation, whatever you deem *framable*.
Why I love it: The quality is really beautiful and I love that you can see your photo with the frame options to get a feel for the finished product. Mat boarders around the images makes it stand out and look more high end. Framebridge also shows your framed photo in a mock living room so you can see the size of it all together. Great option for gifts.
Finally, I also offer album design to my wonderful couples & families – so if you’d like me to take the work out of your hands entirely, I’d love to chat! I have so much fun putting albums together & offer a variety of leather & linen bound lay flat options. You pick all of your favorite photos & I do the rest! Email me at meredith@meredithmckee.com to chat more!
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