Photo Productions – Wedding Album & Special Occasion Photobooks

All digital cameras sold today meet that quality standard (even compact cameras), but if you bought your camera before 2007, or it's not at its maximum setting, please check:

5 megapixels is the minimum setting that the photos must have been taken with.
We also recommend photos are the folllowing sizes to obtain the best quality albums (note that our website will not accept photos under 500 kb / 0.5 mb):

8x10" and 8x12" Photobooks: Minimum file size of 500kb per photo (0.5 megabyte)

10x12" and 10x15" Photobooks: Minimum file size of 1000kb per photo (1 megabyte)

12x15" and 15x18" Photobooks: Minimum file size of 1500kb per photo (1.5 megabytes)

File format: All photos must be in standard Jpeg (jpg) or Gif formats. We do not advise manually scanned photos unless they are a high quality when you zoom in, and we do not recommend using photos taken with mobile phones.

File size tip: to check the above details right click on a photo on your computer (or ctrl+click on a Mac) and go to Properties. You can also check the 'details' view in My Computer/Windows Explorer. Zooming in on photos on your computer can also help to check the quality - if the photo starts to blur and pixelate as soon as you enlarge it in then it is unlikely to be high quality.

Safari users tip: If you encounter any problems with Safari we'd suggest Firefox or Chrome browsers.

Note 1: We've noticed that our photo uploader gives an error if there is an apostrophe in the file name. We're working to fix this, but we suggest you delete any apostrophes from file names for the time being.

Note 2: we produce professional Photobooks with fantastic designs. We will use whatever photos you send us, but please be aware that the quality of the final print also depends on the quality of those photos. We cannot be held responsible if the photos we receive do not meet the above guidelines, or if they are not of a high quality.

What options are available during the order process?

Once your photos have been uploaded it's a quick and easy process to place the order. We'd advise watching the two minute video on our homepage, but here's the order process step-by-step:

Choice of portrait or landscape Premium Photobooks
Choice of eight different sizes – order any number, in any size, within the same order
Choice of three different styles of design layout
Choose between 10 pages (20 sides) and 35 pages (70 sides)
Personalise your Photobook with a title, and choose from a range of typefaces.
Optional drag and drop timeline to arrange your photos into a certain order.
Option to choose which photos are to be most prominent.
After ordering - approval of design: all customers can view their design online when it's ready. Approve it for printing or request changes. See FAQ below for more info.
Additional options for trade accounts: add your own logo, choose which photos are to be large, medium or small when we design, or supply your own design.

Do you offer Parent Books and Pocket Books?

We certainly do! Brand new for 2012 - our Parent Book albums are the perfect size for parents, grandparents and the most important family members. We also offer beautiful little Pocket Book albums - perfect for the handbag and to give out to friends and family.

Uniquely, our Pocket and Parent Books are the same professional quality as our larger Photobooks - printed on photographic paper with premium spines and identical bevelled acrylic covers.

The design will be taken from your larger albums and reduced to fit. Pocket and Parent Books can only be ordered in conjunction with any larger album(s), and will have the same number of pages.

Sizes and prices can be found on the Options and Prices page, or the Trade Prices page for Professional Photographers.

(Note: Pocket and Parent Book width will vary by 1", as size depends on the ratio to your largest album.)

How many pages can I have, and how are the albums made?

Printing, laminating, colour correction and hand-binding are parts of a 23 stage process that ensures the hard-bound Photobooks are as handsome as they are durable.

Your Photobook design is printed onto professional silver halide photo paper using our state-of-the-art digital printing press. Thin sheets of PVC are then inserted to ensure the finished pages are rigid and infinitely more robust than lower quality photo books. This also means that when your Photobook is open the pages lie flat - the design is displayed across the entire spread, creating a truly stunning, edge-to-edge panoramic effect.

Finally, your front and back photos are mounted onto the covers, then sealed underneath a clear crystal acrylic to provide protection and an ultra-stylish finish.

Choosing the number of pages: you can select anywhere between 10 and 35 pages (20 to 70 sides). Albums of 23 pages and over will be made with slightly thinner pages, semi-rigid instead of rigid, to ensure the albums don't become too heavy to hold. The premium appearance and professional quality of the albums will be exactly the same either way.

How many photos can I include in my Photobook(s)?

It's totally up to you how many photos you include - although to prevent your design looking too crowded we put a limit of 6 photos per page (overall). We offer up to 35 pages (70 sides), so that means you can have up to 210 photos + front and back cover photos. Our designers try to use all the photos that you provide us with in the order.

You can choose to have anywhere between one and six photos per page / spread. E.g. A 10 page album can have between 10 and 60 photos; a 20 page album 20 to 120 photos, etc.

One of the fantastic features of our albums is that the pages lay flat when the albums are open, so our designers can place photos right across the spread. Our website will allow you to include (an average of) up to 6 photos per page, but if you want to maximise that panoramic effect we advise an average of less than 4 photos per page. That also relates to our smaller albums and Pocket & Parent Books - if you've got an average of 5 or 6 photos per page then remember that some photos will have to be quite small.

How do I know I can trust you to do a great job?

We understand that ordering your most important albums over the internet might make you apprehensive. So let's put your mind at rest: our website is here to make life really easy to place those orders, it's not for us to hide behind. We've also been supplying professional Photobooks to both the public and photographers since 2008; we've been written about in various high-profile magazines and newspapers; we're a fully registered company based in North West London, run by lovely people who truly believe in great customer service - so feel free to email or call us for a chat. And most important of all, we have a 100% satisfaction rate - which should really be called "over-the-moon" rate considering the fantastic emails we get once our customers receive their albums. Just check out our Testimonials page for a small selection!

How do I upload photos, how long does it take, and what if the upload is interrupted?

It's extremely easy to upload your photos. Once you've signed in click on 'Get Started', then 'Click here to upload'. Select the photos from your computer and you're away!

We use secure computers with fast connections to receive and store your photos. Upload time will depend on your internet speed, and the number and size of photos that you're uploading.

It can take anything from a few minutes to a couple of hours to complete the upload. Our intelligent system stores each photo straight after it's uploaded, so even if you lose your connection you won't have to re-upload any photos that were previously sent. There's also a reliable progress bar to show what percentage of the upload has been completed.

Note: you can continue to use your computer and browse the internet whilst the photos are uploading, or even go away and come back when the upload is finished.

What is the difference between Landscape and Portrait?

Do I get a discount on subsequent Photobooks?

Yes, everyone receives a massive15% discount when purchasing additional Photobooks in the same order. The largest Photobook will be at regular price, then every one of equal or lesser value will automatically receive the 15% discount (excluding Pocket Books and Parent Books).

You can order extra copies - and get the 15% discount - at any time between placing the original order and approving the design for print. You'll find a 'Order More Copies' button on your Order History page, and when you click 'Approve' you will also be given a final chance to order extra copies.

Note for Photographers: This is in addition to any trade discount you may be receiving.

Why don't you charge VAT on your Photobooks?

Following a tribunal decision against HM Revenue and Customs, we no longer charge UK VAT on our Photobooks. The tribunal judge ruled that certain types of Photobooks (ours included) should be zero rated for VAT. This is a fantastic result for our customers, as our Photbooks are now considerably cheaper than before!

What is the design and delivery time?

Your Photobook design will be uploaded by our professional graphic designers within 5 working days from date of order. Any changes that you request will also be uploaded within 5 working days of request. Your Photobook(s) will be despatched within a maximum of 15 working days from when you approve your design.

All orders are inspected, then carefully packed and sent to you via signed courier. You will receive an email when your order has been sent. Please note that someone will need to be at the delivery address to sign for it.

The proofing process: how do I check my Photobook design before printing?

We give everyone the opportunity to view their design once our graphic designers have completed it. An email will be sent directing you to your account when it's ready. The great majority of our customers are happy with the first design, and simply click 'approve for print'. However it's easy to request changes should you want any...

Requesting changes: Every photo within the design will be individually, temporarily numbered at this stage, allowing you to specify exactly which photos you'd like amended. A comprehensive list of amendments is available to choose from – the most basic of which are free, with the remainder costing a nominal £1 each. Just click on the 'Request changes' link next to the design (on your Order History page), and you'll be taken to a special change request page.This re-design and approval process can be repeated as many times as necessary until you are completely happy with the design.

Do I need to install anything on my computer?

No, you do not need to install anything - our easy upload facility and simple order process is completely web-based. We support Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Safari and Chrome.

We expect to support iOS and Android in the near future. We also advise against using IE 6 as it is known to have security issues.

We have also heard of the occassional issue with uploading photos through Safari, although for most people it appears to work fine. If you are having trouble we'd advise trying Firefox.

What happens to my photos and will they be safe?

When uploading photos you're not sending the originals from your computer - instead our website creates identical digital copies. It is impossible for our website to change or delete the originals on your computer.

Once you've uploaded photos they are completely secure - they can only be viewed by you, or anyone you choose to share them with.

How long are my photos stored on your web site?

To give you plenty of time to order we'll usually keep your photos for six months after you've uploaded them. We'll extend that for another six months once you've ordered to give you time to get extra albums.

Please do not rely on our website as the sole storage space for your photos as we cannot guarantee to keep them. We recommend that you always keep the originals on your own computer.

What methods of payment do you accept, and how secure is the transaction?

We accept Amex, Visa, Visa Electron, Visa Debit, MasterCard, Mastercard Debit and Maestro. Our payment processing is handled online by Sagepay, the UK's largest payment processor, using a secure, encrypted server. Both Sagepay and this website are fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards.

Work begins on your Photobooks soon after the order is placed, so full payment is taken at time of order.

How much do the larger Photobooks weigh?

Our Photobooks are sturdy products - they are hard bound with rigid inside pages. This gives a premium look and feel, and means the largest Photobooks are weighty products.

Approximate weights of largest Photobooks (excluding presentation box):

12" x 15": 10 pages = 3kg; 35 pages = 5kg

12" x 18": 10 pages = 3.5kg; 35 pages = 6kg

How can I check the status of my order?

Go to the Order Details page and select the order to see its status.

Can I make a repeat order of a previously ordered Photobook?

Yes. You can re-order a Photobook of the same design without having to go through the entire order process again. This can be done from the Order Details page.

Can the Photobooks be sent internationally?

Yes we ship internationally using DHL 3 day service, and you can order as normal through the website. Shipping will usually be equivalent to 10-15% of your order total, but please contact us to find out the exact shipping cost to your country. (Our website is currently automated for UK delivery only, so after you've ordered we'll simply send you a PayPal link for the additional shipping cost.)

Here's a great website for converting the cost in UK £ to your local currency: http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter

Can I have the Photobooks sent to an address other than my billing address?

Yes. Please ensure that the correct delivery address is written in the delivery options when you place an order.

What Guarantee is provided on my Photobooks?

In the unlikely event of defects in the design, printing or workmanship, we will repair or replace the relevant product. This guarantee extends for a period of one year from the date of delivery.

What if an order arrives damaged or does not arrive?

All goods are Quality Controlled prior to despatch. Your order is inspected and then packed carefully. When your Photobooks arrive please inspect them for visible damage before signing for them. If goods arrive damaged you must retain all packaging and notify us immediately.

Please check your Order History page within your account for despatch date. If an order does not arrive within 3 days of despatch please contact us.

Can I cancel or make any changes once an order has been placed?

Our graphic designers start work on your order soon after receiving it, so please ensure everything is correct before payment. To change an order such as different sizes, different photos etc. it would need to be cancelled then re-ordered.

We have made our cancellation charges as fair as possible to reflect work completed:

Within 12 hrs of placing an order: 85% of your payment refunded.
From 12 hrs after ordering up to your approval of design: 50% of your payment refunded.
After your approval of design: no refund.

How to cancel: please email cancellations@photoproductions.com (For refund purposes the time your email is sent will be taken as the time of cancellation.)

Can people viewing my shared photos order their own products, and can they edit or delete my photos?

We give you the option to share your online photos with other people. They will only be able to view the photos that you invited them to see. They cannot edit or delete anything. They can however order a Photobook for themselves from the photos that you have invited them to see.

How do I change my account details?

Simply sign into your account and go to the My Details page under My Account, where you can change any details.

Do you put your logo on the Photobooks?

Unless you have a trade account, the Photo Productions logo will be in a discrete position on the inside back cover of all the Photobooks that we produce. If you would like this removed you can email us after you've placed your order - before approving your design for print - at orders@photoproductions.com, quoting your name and order reference. (Note for trade accounts – you are given an additional option during the order process to replace our logo with your own.)

What happens to the design if I'm ordering different ratio Photobooks within the same order?

To save you proofing time our graphic designers will upload one design per order. When you've approved that design (after either requesting changes or not) some photos will, if necessary, be made slightly smaller or larger to best accommodate the other ratio Photobooks. Please note: you will not see this separate design until you receive your Photobooks, but rest assured that our experienced designers will ensure all designs within one order are virtually identical.

How do I take care of my Photobooks?

Our Premium Photobooks are sturdy products. Like any book they must be treated with respect to keep them in optimum condition. We advise the following:

Open on a flat surface - bending back the cover could potentially damage the spine
Front and back covers are scratch resistant but not scratch proof, so take care near sharp objects
When not in use store your Photobooks closed, and preferably flat, to reduce pressure on the spine
Photobooks are not water-proof, so please take care near liquids
Photographs may fade over time if left in direct sunlight
When taking Photobooks outside use the box to protect them from the elements.

I have forgotten my password.

Click the 'Forgotten password?' link on the Sign-In box to reset your password.

How do I close my account?

Please send an email from your registered email address, to admin@photoproductions.com - we will close your account and remove your photos from our website

Additional FAQ Answers for Professional Photographers (Trade)

How do I open a trade account and get trade prices?

The first thing to do is create an account with us by clicking 'Sign Up' at the top of the website, making sure you tick the box that says 'create a business acount'. You'll be able to use the site fully and place orders at standard (non-trade) prices.

To activate the trade discount: if you have a business website simply send us an email from the same address as that published on your site (please note that we do not accept Facebook as evidence of a photography business). Alternatively you can email or post two separate copies of ID showing proof of your business. For example headed paper, copy of company cheque, utility bill, bank statement etc.

As soon as we receive proof of your Photography business your account will be switched to the discounted rate and we'll send an email to let you know. Note that discounts will not be retrospectively applied, so please remember this if placing an order before your business ID has been validated.

What extra benefits do I receive as a Professional Photographer?

15% discount off our standard prices (plus a further 15% off subsequent Photobooks ordered at the same time).
Extra customisation options: optionally specify which photos are to be large, medium or small.
Option to have your own logo on the design at no extra charge.
No Photo Productions branding on designs / albums / customer leaflets.
Option to supply your own design and receive a further 10% discount.
Sample albums available - scroll down for details.

Can I post my order to you instead of ordering through the website?

The easiest way to place an order is through the website – this allows the full order options and your Photobook design will begin sooner. If you still prefer to copy your photos to a CD and send them by post please click here to request an order form with further details.Please include full name and registered email address.

Can I supply my own design?

We do allow Photographers to supply their own design to be printed and bound by us, for which we offer an additional 10% discount (on top of other discounts.)

The method for supplying your own design is simple, and is similar to the normal order process:

1) Create a folder and upload the images as per normal.

2) Click on 'Order Photobooks', and at the top of the order page tick the 'own design' button.

3) Choose your options and proceed to checkout as normal. Note that on the second page of the order process you can click and drag the pages into order.

You can use any software you like to create your album design, but please follow these important guidelines before ordering:

Your design must be JPG, RGB (ideally sRGB IEC61966 – 2.1) and 300dpi.
Your design must be the exact height and width of the album(s) that you chose. Remember that the width of an open page/spread is double the stated width of the closed album. E.g. for a 8x10" portrait album the covers must be exactly 8" wide and 10" high, and the pages must be exactly 16" wide and 10" high. For a 8x10" landscape album the covers must be exactly 10" wide and 8" high, and the pages must be exactly 20" wide and 8" high.
Allow 15mm (0.6") bleed / trim within the page dimensions above (make sure nothing vital is within 15mm of page edge as it may be cut off). If you are ordering Pocket or Parent Books then please make the trim 20mm (0.8") instead.
Ensure that the middle crease of the album won't go through people's faces.
Provide us with one image (one spread) per page for printing, plus one for front and one for back cover. E.g. for a 10 page album we would need 12 images to print. (You can put as many photos as you like within those images.)
Ensure all images match the orientation that you choose during the order process.
Incorporate a title and your logo on the design if you wish.
Do not put any crop marks on the design.

Ensure you have the correct brightness / colour levels. Remember that most monitors, unless properly calibrated, often display images much brighter than they actually are. If your monitor / design is not properly calibrated then your album(s) may be darker than you expect.

During the order process: when selecting number of album pages from the drop down menu - please choose the same number as images you've provided, excluding the front and back covers. E.g. for a 10 page album provide 12 images: one for each page, plus one for each cover. (Cover images are free of charge, so you don't need to select them as pages in the drop down menu.)

Note - your Photobook(s) will go straight to print, so you will not receive a proof. We will check designs before printing and contact you if we spot anything is incorrect.
We will always try to spot any mistakes that you may have made, however we cannot be held responsible if your design does not meet the guidelines above.

Can I get sample albums to show my clients?

Absolutely - sample albums are by far the best way to show your clients the incredible quality of our albums. There are three options available, with a cashback scheme on all three - you receive a full refund on the cost of the sample after you have purchased further Photobooks at normal / trade price (excluding Pocket and Parent Books)*.

Sample Album Option 1: Pre-Designed Photobook Package (NEW):

Our pre-designed Photobook package includes three albums, and is available at 75% discount from normal prices. The albums showcase all three of our design styles within every album (Classico, Moderno, Naturale), the same designs as those on the 'Photobooks' page of this website. All three albums are in portrait orientation, but are of course landscape when open.

Package costs £95.00 and includes the following albums:

One 12x15" Premium Photobook Album, 18 pages
One 6x8" Premium Parent Book, 15 pages
One 4x5" Premium Pocket Book, 15 pages

Cashback: full refund after purchasing three further Photobooks.

How to order: please email us at info@photoproductions.com stating your name and address and which samples you would like. We will then send a link for payment. We normally keep these samples in stock, so delivery should be within a few days of payment. Prices include UK delivery, please email us to find out international delivery cost.

Sample Album Option 2: Your Photos With Your Own Design

Order any size Photobook with your own design at regular trade prices.

Cashback: full refund after purchasing four further Photobooks.

How to order: follow the instructions in the previous FAQ on how to place an order with your own design - please also include the words' Sample Album' a few times within the design. Important: as soon as you've ordered please email us at info@photoproductions.com stating the order ref, and tell us you'd like it to be treated as a sample.

Sample Album Option 3: Your Photos and We'll Design:

Order any size album at regular trade prices for us to design. We'll include the words 'Sample Album' a few times in the Photobook.

Cashback: full refund after purchasing five further Photobooks.

How to order: place an order as normal through the website. As soon as you've ordered please email us at info@photoproductions.com stating the order ref, and tell us you'd like it to be treated as a sample. We'll design your album according to whichever style you chose during the order process. If you'd like all three design styles within the one album (three equal sections) then please let us know in the same email - we can do this at no extra charge.

*Sample Album Terms

If you order more than one sample album we will refund them in the order they have been purchased. After the next three / four / five regular purchases (depending on the Option you've chosen above) we will refund the next sample. We will supply as many samples as you like, but the maximum number of refunds is two albums. To apply for each refund just email us for a refund form.

Is it possible to view your albums before ordering/buying samples?

From time to time you can find us at wedding shows and trade fairs. Also, if you're a Photographer and located in or around London, Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire then we may be able to bring some sample albums to show you. Please give us a call to arrange a visit.

Do you offer Parent books / Guest books / Pocket books?

Uniquely, our Pocket Books and Parent Books are the same professional quality as our larger Photobooks - printed on photographic paper with premium spines and identical bevelled acrylic covers.

The design will be taken from your larger albums and reduced to fit. Pocket and Parent Books can only be ordered in conjunction with any larger album(s), and will have the same number of pages.

Sizes and prices can be found on the Trade Prices page and the pricing PDF on the Trade Resources page.

(Notes: Pocket and Parent Books will vary by 1", as size depends on the ratio to your largest album. Pages are semi-rigid rather than rigid to better suit the size of album.)

Can I get some images of the Photobooks for my website / brochures?

Absolutely. Just drop us a line and we'll email you some photos.

Please note we retain copyright on all images. We will only supply images to Professional Photographers.

Photo Productions is the registered trademark of Photo Productions Ltd, company registered in England and Wales no. 06676009