Every year on Thanksgiving, we head down to my uncle’s place and fall back into the usual routine: great food, second helpings, and dozing off on the couch before pie. But there’s one tradition I love most: someone grabs one of the old family photo albums from under the TV, and the next hour is just laughter, cringing at old haircuts, and swapping stories.
You can’t recreate that with a phone screen. Even in a digital world, there’s something about a physical photo album that just hits different. And despite what you might think, albums aren’t outdated. In fact, they’re still one of the smartest, most lasting ways to keep your family memories in reach. That’s why I think every photo session deserves one.
Why albums are still the best way to enjoy & protect your photos
If you’re like most of the new moms I work with, turning your session into a printed album might not be top-of-mind when you’re barely sleeping and learning the art of swaddling. Totally fair.
But here’s what I know from both photographing families and raising one: those images get more valuable with time — if you can actually find them later.
Wall art is beautiful, but you only have so much space. And good luck digging up that perfect sibling snuggle photo buried somewhere between screenshots and memes.
Albums? They’re built to last. You don’t scroll past them. You sit with them. Flip through them. They tell a fuller story, and they’re a whole lot harder to lose. Call it old-school if you want — I call it timeless.
Why albums work for every type of session
Maternity Albums
Maternity photos are often more about quiet feelings than big moments. You might not want your pregnancy photos all over the wall, but being able to look back and say, “That was you in there,” years from now? That’s worth it. Albums let you save those subtle, meaningful images in a way that feels intentional, not extra.
Newborn Albums
Newborn sessions (at least when I photograph them) come with a ton of variety — sleepy yawns, new angles, tiny flaky fingers, wide-eyed stares, and all the snuggles in between. Picking one or two shots for your walls is great, but in an album, those moments build on each other. And when your tiny newborn is a hell-raising 3 year old? You’ll want to look back on all of them.
First Year Collective Albums
The First Year Collective comes with a complimentary heirloom album, and honestly, it’s not just a nice bonus. It’s the best way to tie your baby’s first year together. From bump or birth through their first birthday, you’ll have a book that captures all those fast-moving changes. By the end of the year, you’re holding your baby’s first storybook — simple, beautiful, and totally real.
Family Albums
Sure, you could scroll through last year’s photos on your phone, but what about 10 or 15 years from now? Imagine having one professionally designed album for every year of your child’s life. High-quality, printed images you can actually hold. In the end, you’ll have 10, 15, maybe 20 albums lined up on a shelf. That’s not just nostalgia — it’s your family history, all in one place.
And here’s the part that makes it even easier: I personally create a custom layout for every album I deliver. That means you won’t be left staring at a design tool wondering what to do with 80 photos. I design it with your story in mind — clean, cohesive, and totally you.
Albums are where the good stuff lives
I create natural, honest photography for families in Los Angeles. But the work doesn’t stop at the session. How your photos live on matters just as much.
Creating an album doesn’t have to feel precious or over-the-top. It can be easy. It can be simple. And it can absolutely feel like you.
Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth family session, think about where you want those memories to live 10, 20 years from now. Not just for you, but for the little person who might someday flip through the pages and say, “Was that really me?”
Yep. And you were loved like crazy.
Ready for your own album?
When you book the First Year Collective, you’ll get a complimentary heirloom album that’s made to last through sticky toddler fingers and cross-country moves. Or add one to any maternity, newborn, or family session so your photos don’t end up forgotten in the cloud.
Let’s make something that lasts longer than your phone upgrade.
Check out sessions at Ariel Cannon Photography or send me a message if you want to talk albums. I’m here to help you make something real.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are photo albums still relevant in the digital age?
A: Absolutely. While digital galleries are convenient, printed albums offer a tangible, lasting way to preserve your memories. You don’t have to scroll or search — they’re right there on the shelf, ready to be flipped through anytime.
Q: Do you design the album layout, or do I have to do it myself?
A: I personally design every album with your session and story in mind. You won’t need to fuss with software or guess at photo placement — I’ve got you covered.
Q: What sessions can include an album?
A: Albums can be added to any maternity, newborn, or family session. If you book the First Year Collective, a custom heirloom album is already included to document your baby’s first year.
Q: Can’t I just get a photo book printed online?
A: You could, but press-printed books from online retailers often don’t hold up well over time. My albums are made with real photographic prints on thick, durable pages that are built to last for generations — not just a few years.
