Anyone who knows me will understand how passionate I am about presenting my clients’ photographs in a quality album. Of course I do offer digital only packages, but theres nothing beats a beautiful album which can be passed down from generation to generation.
With this in mind, I recently caught up with Martin Baynes, Sales and Marketing Director of Graphistudio UK & Ireland, the company whom we trust to create almost all of our wedding albums. Here, Martin shares the importance of wedding albums, trends in the trade as well as what’s next in the world of wedding albums!
Matin, tell us the story behind Graphistudio. What is the inspiration behind the brand?
It’s not easy to condense the Graphistudio world into one single definition. It is a world made of sensations, traditions, culture and Italian style. The founder, Tullio Tramontina, is the main creative and marketing source and together with his partners Maurizio Corazza (production supervisor) and Enzo Piazza (technologies and design supervisor) has been able to turn this brand into a proper icon.
Thanks to continuous innovations, we have been able to step forward as a prime mover in the wedding photography market. Graphistudio has been the first company in the world to introduce digital printing technologies in the wedding photography market. What makes us stand out from our competitors and makes us a world leader is the attention to the detail and the unique approach that combines search for innovation, style and impeccable made in Italy quality.
What makes Graphistudio different from other wedding album providers?
Graphistudio books are known worldwide as one of the most accomplished examples of Made in Italy, distinguished for the accurate selection of materials, for research and development at the beginning of the creative process, not to mention the precision of the details.
The printing quality is guaranteed thanks to strict procedures and to the expertise of the technicians. This staff calibrates our printers more than once a day, correcting every minimal flaw and making sure the photographer can enjoy a perfect constancy of colours.
If this company’s spirit must be summarized in a sentence, that sentence would be: attention to the detail. Attention for the product, but also attention for the people. When a product enters into people’s lives and remains there to fulfil a small, but unforgettable role in their story, it means it was done with dedication and love. We like to think that if so many couples trusted us, that’s because we as well are a big family.
Why do you think it is important for couples to have their wedding day photographs printed in an album?
Choosing a professional photographer is one of the most import parts of the wedding but sometimes is the first thing to get cut due to people thinking it can be done by a relative or a friend. The wedding album is the only bit of the day that is left after the event that will actually increase in value, after the alcohol has been consumed, the cake eaten, the dress and suits removed, the chair covers washed… The album will stay with you forever and as friends and loved ones pass the value of the album and its memories become invaluable and irreplaceable.
How has the design of wedding albums changed in recent years?
At one time albums were very simple with only one to two images per page. However, since Graphistudio introduced the wedding book and with the advent of digital technology, the design of the album has become an extension of the creativeness of the photography on the day, with beautifully designed books now being seen as works of art.
What’s next in the world of albums?
Graphistudio recently introduced a revolution in books called Digital Matted Books. This is brand new technology that Graphistudio has invented, allowing images to be placed on coloured boards. We are also able to mix paper types and apply a UV varnish when printing. DMA albums are only available from a professional photographer in partnership with Graphistudio.
Graphistudio also introduced a new style of album called the Young Album in 2015 which is a very simple styled album that comes with a beautiful box. In conjunction with the creativeness of the photographers and using some new technologies, the results have already been amazing. While the product is still new, it has had a huge impact on the market.
What about Peter Thomas Photography?
At the moment I stock Graphistudio Young Books and Wedding Books! Lots more innovations coming soon!
