Best Wedding Photo Paper: Let me preference my question with a statement: I am not now, nor have I ever been or will I ever be a Wedding Photographer. That said, I was a guest at my...

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Let me preference my question with a statement:
I am not now, nor have I ever been or will I ever be a Wedding Photographer.

That said, I was a guest at my niece's wedding a few months ago. I shot a few hundred pictures and sent her low res. jpg copies. She liked them so much, she said she preferred many of my photos to those taken by the crew of the real wedding pros that they paid big bucks to. She wants to make albums for herself, her parents and her new husband's parents using about 60 of my photos! I am extremely flattered. Now for my question?

I offered to print the photos for her. She will arrange them and make the albums herself from my prints. What type of photo paper do you pros out there use for your wedding albums? Glossy, Matte, or something else? She has no preference and is leaving it up to me.

Here a few of the pics she chose below.

Thanks in advance for your help. Also, please feel free to comment on anything you think I could have done to make these better. I would love hear C&C from our experts out there.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Quickflash wrote:

Let me preference my question with a statement: br... (show quote)

It is generally thought that the paper manufactured by the same company that your printer is manufactured by, is best.

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Thanks Traveler, but my question is about the choice between glossy, matte, luster, etc. My printer is a Canon, and I would use Canon paper, just not sure which finish.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Quickflash wrote:

Thanks Traveler, but my question is about the choice between glossy, matte, luster, etc. My printer is a Canon, and I would use Canon paper, just not sure which finish.

I believe it is a personal preference. I like matte. Glossy is probably the cheapest.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Quickflash wrote:

Thanks Traveler, but my question is about the choice between glossy, matte, luster, etc. My printer is a Canon, and I would use Canon paper, just not sure which finish.

Without going out and buying a sample of every paper made, why not print the same picture on whatever types of paper you have on hand and see what she likes? If you have friends with photo paper, ask them for different kinds.

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Thanks, I was leaning toward matte myself. I was just hoping to see what the majority of the pros here use. So far, you are the majority of one!
Thanks again,

Dave

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Without going out and buying a sample of every paper made, why not print the same picture on whatever types of paper you have on hand and see what she likes? If you have friends with photo paper, ask them for different kinds.[/quote]

Thanks jerry, but my only photography friends are on UHH. I only have glossy, but I was thinking of getting some matte and doing what you suggested. I offered to send my niece a sample photo of each, but she said, "Whatever you think, Uncle Dave", so that is why I posted the question.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Quickflash wrote:

Thanks, I was leaning toward matte myself. I was just hoping to see what the majority of the pros here use. So far, you are the majority of one!
Thanks again,

Dave

I ain't a pro. Advanced amateur maybe. Everyone here learns, from the most experienced to the new person.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Quickflash wrote:

Without going out and buying a sample of every paper made, why not print the same picture on whatever types of paper you have on hand and see what she likes? If you have friends with photo paper, ask them for different kinds.

Thanks jerry, but my only photography friends are on UHH. I only have glossy, but I was thinking of getting some matte and doing what you suggested. I offered to send my niece a sample photo of each, but she said, "Whatever you think, Uncle Dave", so that is why I posted the question.[/quote]
I'd still try to give her a choice.

lost_found

Quickflash wrote:

Without going out and buying a sample of every paper made, why not print the same picture on whatever types of paper you have on hand and see what she likes? If you have friends with photo paper, ask them for different kinds.

Thanks jerry, but my only photography friends are on UHH. I only have glossy, but I was thinking of getting some matte and doing what you suggested. I offered to send my niece a sample photo of each, but she said, "Whatever you think, Uncle Dave", so that is why I posted the question.[/quote]

take your memory card down to your favorite printer and print a couple variations and see what you like.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lost_found wrote:

Thanks jerry, but my only photography friends are on UHH.

Me, too.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

Right from B&W film Wedding Photography Days, I have used Lustre paper. Glossy can attract (and show) finger marks made by excited viewers of the prints. I now only use the Printer-profiled paper, for serious work.

stopmedown1 Loc: England UK

Hi Quickflash,
Not much wrong with those fotos at all. Only suggestion in the first foto perhaps you could have asked them to move the chairs closer so she didn't have to lean over.
As to paper, Canon is excellent and gloss always gives the best definition imho. They will probably be framed anyway so a matt surface would still look glossy. Only possible reason for not using gloss is that if fotos are not framed, there would be some chance of refleections, but that's really petty. Good fotos buddy!

snowbird Loc: Indialantic FL /Lakewood NY

Have you thought about using one of the online printing services? There are several. Unless you have a highend printer they will probably do a better job. Your niece can select and arrange the images and the service will print the in nice book at a reasonable price.
Nice images.

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

You do not have to stick to same brand paper as your printer. They only say this as they propose good longevity if keeping with same brands. Maybe 100 years or so. If you print an image today what are the chances you personally will complain in a 100 years time? I have seen some papers and ink combos fade (almost before my eyes). I have had the prints behind glass not in sunlight and no way did they last 1 year let alone 100.

I quite often use Ilford fine art paper or textured paper. Works great for portraits and looks very professional.