Diane Jarvis-Schuller

Wow! Each time I receive one of the custom press printed portrait books I am blown away all over again. So far, the press printed books I have ordered for clients have had the genuine leather cover with embossing. This is the first one (I made this one as a gift for my husband) I’ve ordered with a wrap around photo on the cover. I’m in love.

These portrait books come in different cover options, as I mentioned. Shown here are the genuine leather with embossing and the wrap-around custom photo cover. The leather comes in different colours and the photo cover is custom designed by me, with every one being entirely different and unique for each client.

Previous ones I’ve ordered have been the 10×10 size, although they do come in other sizes. The one I just received is the 6×6 flush mount album and I LOVE that size so much I have already incorporated it into a new session that I call, “Diane’s Signature Session.” The session, design, editing, and this beautiful portrait book are all included! It feels so good in the hand too. What a great way to get a bunch of the images from your photo session all in one gorgeous book. Visit my website for details on my new Signature Session. While at the website, check out the “Slice of Life” sessions I am now offering in which you receive a full size press printed portrait book with your session (like the red one above and below — you choose your cover options).

The portrait books come with a nice lay-flat hinged paper so it is much sturdier than ordinary magazine paper and is definitely steps above in quality. With the flush mount albums the pages are incredibly thick, unlike the magazine-style coffee table books, and I order them in a Pearl finish with UV coating. They are so posh! Although I’m partial to that pearl finish, you may order from other papers that are available and equally as impressive.

I am so proud of these exquisite portrait books and flush mount albums. They’re also ideal for people who are running out of room for portraits on the walls. Instead, place these works of art on your coffee table and wow all your guests when they come over to visit!

I’ve spent the better part of the day working on a custom flush mount album. I’m still learning how to be proficient at creating these gorgeous products so it takes me a lot longer than it takes others. I’m also so darn fussy about the details that I tend to “measure twice; cut once” over and over again. I’ve made some of these in the past but, because I don’t make them frequently, I am rusty each time I begin again. The end result is always so beautiful but boy-oh-boy it takes me a very long time to create them. So here is a preview of the one I created today. It’s a gift for my husband.

Unfortunately to put together my mosaic of each spread, I was not able to get them all in order no matter how much I fiddled with my software. So here is a peek at what the full page spreads basically will look like. I did not include the cover but when the album arrives, I’ll take photos of it for you. I added a light black stroke around each spread so you could see what the 2-pages look like opened up. (I also see from my preview here on the web that they look over-sharpened — the album itself definitely is not over-sharpened but it’s late and I wanted to post this sample for you.

Here is a separate sample of the first 2-page spread so you can see it a bit closer.

So what is a flush mount album anyway? Press Printed Albums are flush mount albums with thick lay-flat pages and no middle gutter.

Unique to Press Printed Albums, the inside pages are printed on either Art Watercolor, Art Linen, Art Recycled, or Pearl press paper and adhered to heavy black cardstock. The ones I’ve ordered so far are all on the gorgeous Pearl finish. This allows each spread to lay flat with a thick and rigid look and feel. Pages are printed as full spreads and not cut so imagery and design elements are not lost in the center of the book! Press Printed Albums are available in fixed lengths of 20, 40, or 60 sides (10, 20 or 30 spreads) and are available in 6×6, 6×12, 8×8, 10×10, 12×6 and 12×12 sizes.

All Press Printed Albums are available in a full line of cover materials including floral, mineral, suede and book fabrics, as well as many leather options including vintage, alligator and standard bonded leathers, and as a premium genuine black leather. The very popular custom photo covers are also available with Lustre or Metallic photographic paper, and Fine Art Canvas or Metallic Canvas. All cover materials can be padded as an option. All covers are wrapped around masonite providing a heavier, more substantial album. Photo custom covers are made with a photographic or canvas print that is laminated and adhered to the masonite cover.

I have shown photos before of the press printed books & albums. I’ll be sure to take photos of this one when it arrives. See what a beautiful keepsake you can have from your photo session when you hire a custom photographer? Although the press printed albums are most popular for weddings, newborns, and graduation, ANY occasion or any time is ideal for such a quality keepsake. These are quality heirlooms you’ll be proud to display and pass on to family. {Don’t forget Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up very soon.}

Look at this darling red haired little boy I had the pleasure of photographing nearly two weeks ago. And here it is St. Patrick’s Day.  :)  Toddler R was so well behaved too. He was an incredibly engaging young fellow. If you met his lovely young parents you would understand why he is so well behaved. What a pleasure capturing him and his newborn brother. Did I say how much I love what I do?