Sites for creating/designing photo books professionally for others?

Sites for creating/designing photo books professionally for others?

by Cindy
(Alta Loma, CA)

What photo book sites would you call user friendly to those making photo books professionally for others as a business (for hire).

I see that Pictales has a discount for digital scrapbook makers and they also have the option of sending a copy of the project for review before it is ordered. But I also have read your reviews of their inconsistent performance.

What advice can you give me as far as using designer's kits that are on Shutterfly for example when I am making a photobook for hire?

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Sites for creating/designing photo books professionally for others?

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Feb 25, 2011

Potential Client Referral?
by: Karen from MYOPB

I've just been contacted by a visitor looking to have a photo book made for her. I don't do photo books for others, but I want to refer her to you, if I can! Please contact me here:

Contact Us

So I can send her your name and email address. Hope you still come by here sometimes and will see this in time! :)

Thanks!

Sep 09, 2010

This site is awesome!
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the information re: Picaboo! I am just DEVOURING this site! Really trying to do my research (and practice making new books and trying new sites) before I "hang my shingle."
Thanks so much, Karen! Cindy

Sep 09, 2010

Pro Photo Book Creation
by: Karen from MYOPB

Thanks, Jill, for the Flackbackpics suggestion. I'll have to add them to my list of sites to review!

Update on using photo book printers for a photo book business. I just got an email from Picaboo-- I sent them a query about using their software as a professional photo book designer. Apparently, they DO have a program for professionals. It seems geared towards wedding photographers, but it looks like it would work for all pros. You have to apply, which you can do here:

http://www.picaboo.com/pro/wedding/

Looks like you get 50% off your first book and 20% off all the rest of your books if you're accepted into their pro program. Just another option for you.

Sep 09, 2010

Useful info!
by: Cindy

Thank you so much! I am looking forward to exploring this site!

Sep 09, 2010

Another site to try
by: Jill

Another site to try for creating photo books is http://www.Flashbackpics.com. Contact Janette for wholesale business pricing if you plan to do several books for clients.

FlashBack Pics offers free photo book software that you can download to your computer. Designs are completely customizable using the provided templates and background images, or you can upload your own images / designs. Acid free paper, UV coating (optional) and you can share the finished book online for client preview. I think they have everything you need.

Best of luck!

Sep 09, 2010

Photo Book Printers for Photo Book Design Business
by: Karen from MYOPB

Hi Cindy,

Congratulations on the new business! I think you have a couple of good options for creating photo books professionally.

One, as you mentioned, would be Shutterfly. With them, you can share your photo books with your clients via email, or you can create a share site and use that to share your projects. It's also a good way to show off your work, as you can post your completed photo books to a share site, or to Shutterfly's gallery.

Another good option for creating photo books professionally that you didn't mention is Picaboo.com. Picaboo has a downloadable software that you use to create photo books, which actually makes it a bit faster and perhaps a bit better for a professional designer such as yourself-- I sometimes find Shutterfly's online software to be a bit slow. You can also share your photobooks before you buy them by clicking the "share" option within the program itself. Your photo book will be sent to your client for approval via email (though there's a bit of a time lag between sending and receiving).

You can download Picaboo's software free right here
and look around at it a bit.

Or go here to read my Picaboo review.

As far as getting discounts... I wish I could be more help with that. My vote would be to contact each company directly and see what they're willing to offer you. I'd love it if you'd report back here and let me know how that part of it goes.

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