KarenM's DIY Flushmount Album from BlackRiver Imaging

[KarenM]

I know there have been several threads about flushmount albums around here & I really wanted one, but couldn't afford an album through my photographer. In searching the forum I came across Michelle's (Simistar) diy album thread which referred me to BlackRiver Imaging.  They're a really great company & have great products. They also have terrific customer service - really friendly people & eager to help, which was such a relief.

Like Michelle, I had concerns about doing this myself since I have zero experience, but am thrilled with the results.

 

thanks, Michelle, for the inspiration!

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/55062/my-diy-flushmount-album-finally-review-with-pics

 

 

http://www.blackriverimaging.com/default.asp

just create a login (you can't see pricing unless you do)

 

 

Luckily DH is pretty handy in Photoshop so we picked out the pics we wanted to use & he designed the layouts, in 12x24" canvas size, then saved them as jpegs. Then we just uploaded each jpeg to BRI's album manager (we ended up having to use their downloadable software to actually upload the jpegs b/c their website wasn't cooperating, but it worked just fine). The page design took FOREVER, but once we finished that the actual uploading & ordering took no time. We ordered the album on 11/30 and received it on 12/9. Then we turned around & ordered 2 parents books, tailoring each book a little to each side of the family, to give as a combo x-mas & thank-you gift.

 

here are the details:

 

We wanted a square flushmount album so we ordered the 12x12" Tuscany leather album in coffee bean. We had 14 double-spread pages that were 12x24" each (or 28 sides, each12x12"), which ended up costing $271 (2-day shipping was an extra $21, so $292 total).

 

The parents albums were 8x8", also Tuscany leather in coffee bean. Those were 10 double pages, each 8x16" (or 20 sides, each 8x8") and cost $200 (plus $4 shipping).

 

This is the pricing info from the website (just for Tuscany leather; they also have premium leather, which costs a bit more, or "leatherette", which is less).

Tuscany Leather Prices

Price Includes Cover with Minimum 20 Sides (includes images)

Size	Leather	Additional Sides	Max. Sides
8x8	$185.00	$5.50	70
10x10	$212.00	$6.50	70
12x12	$249.00	$7.50	70
11x14	$259.00	$7.50	70
		Cover Options	Price
		Custom Embossing (per line up to 3 lines)	$6.00
		Studio Embossing (inside back cover)*	$6.00
		Standard Album Box	Included
		Premiere Album Box	$20.00
		Gilded Edges**	$25.00

*Custom Embossing available in black, gold, and silver. **Gilded Edges available in metallic black, bright gold, marbled gold and marbled silver.

 

 

Here are pics of the album (there's a lot cuz I included each spread):

 

 

 

page 1

 

page 2

 

page 3

 

page 4

 

page 5

 

page 6

 

page 7

[KarenM]

here are the rest

 

page 8

 

page 9

 

page 10

 

page 11

 

page 12

 

page 13  (TTD)

 

page 14

 

 

 

OK, I think that's it. Let me know if you have any questions!

[kerrib]

So beautiful!!! 

[jennifersyble]

Cool!

[smfs]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!

[Bride2B22]

WOW this looks amazing!! and the price unreal!!! thanks for sharing!!

[KarenM]

Thanks guys!  I know, Maria, the price is really great! It's labor intensive (just takes a long time), but if you can figure out the layouts in their software or use photoshop or something else to create them, then it's totally worth it! You get a custom professional grade album at a fraction of the cost!

[Bride2B22]

Karen- I didnt realize you used Jen for your BD shoot!! i am doing mine with her in 2 weeks!! you looked hot girl!!! love everything! and i was also planning on using the leather photobook from shutterfly!!

[KarenM]

haha, thanks lady.  Jen is terrific & you will have an absolute blast!!  Let me know if you have any questions about it.  And, yeah, the shutterfly book turned out really well (& super cheap too, which is always nice). Glad I went through them.

[debbiedoyle]

These look very nice!