Digital photography has changed the world of photography so much - mostly for the better! But with a seemingly unlimited amount of digital space to take up on hard drives, phones and cloud storage accounts, we must remember to keep printing our photos so we have physical copies of our favourite images - great photos deserve to be presented and cherished. If you're not sure where to start, our complete guide to photo printing in Australia covers everything you need to know.
Photo albums are just one way that we can make sure we are maximising our enjoyment of photography, and are not letting our treasured memories languish in the digital format. This photo album guide uncovers why photo albums are still popular, which photo albums are the best and more.
Why are photo albums still popular?
We all have memories of sitting around our family homes and browsing through photo albums, taking in the precious images that they hold. Family photo albums compile photographs of people we love dearly, people who are no longer with us, and even distant relatives that we might not recognise. The beauty is they are all stored dearly alongside each other in these albums.
When it's time to do a big clear out of a home, people always keep photo albums, not donate or toss them in the garbage, and if you've heard countless times, if there's a fire, they are the first thing to be saved.
The gallery of your smartphone is fun to swipe through, but it doesn't hold the same generational pull. By printing your images now and keeping them safely in a photo album, you are continuing this sentimental journey for future generations. Photo albums are important to you because you compile them with your memories, and they are also important family heirlooms.
What to look for when buying a photo album?
Whether you have collated a collection of your favourite digital happy snaps for printing, or you have recently found a stash of forgotten family photos in storage, Before slipping them into an album, you may want to digitise your old photos to create a backup copy. if you want to keep them safe in one place, a photo album is a superb choice. Here are some considerations when buying a photo album.
Size: Photo albums are available in a range of sizes, from smaller albums that accept postcard-sized images, to slightly larger photo albums for housing your enlarged photos. Are you looking for a photo album for large photos? Consider a dry mount style album, which allows you to use the full page spread for presentation.
Capacity: How many photos do you have to store in your photo album? Depending on this factor, you can hone your photo album purchase to suit your needs. Certain photo albums offer refill pages, so you can add more photographs to your album in the future.
Style: When it comes to style, photo albums offer a vast range of options, including different ways to add photographs to the album, which we will discuss in more detail below, as well as various album cover styles. Photo albums are available with linen covers, patterned covers and more. You are sure to find an album that matches your home decor at our online store.
Pro Tip: It's handy to keep track of the details of the photographs as you enter them into an album. Photo albums you can write in are invaluable for jotting down who is in the image, as well as the year and any other factors you want to make a note of.
Which photo albums are the best?
Slip-in albums
Slip-in albums are the easiest albums to pick and fill. You just select the desired size and your album is ready to be filled with memories! As the name suggests, these albums contain simple pockets to store your photographs, so you can add them in a flash, with your only consideration being the order in which they are added.
Dry mount albums
Dry mount albums don't come with sleeves and pockets, so you are not restricted to presenting images of a certain size. This freedom makes dry mount photo albums a brilliant choice if you are printing your photographs at home; they are the ideal photo albums for scrapbooking. To produce your dry mount albums, you must invest in high-quality photo album accessories, such as photo glue or corners. You may also want to explore how to print photos at home so you always have fresh prints ready to mount.
Self-Adhesive albums
Self-adhesive photo albums offer another simple method of adding your photos; you just peel back the crystal clear film, attach your photo to the sticky surface, and then restore the film. Your photo is protected and as most albums you will find these days, including the Profile range that Ted's stocks, are made from photo-safe materials, you know your photos will remain in pristine condition for years to come.
Caring for your photo albums
While it is tempting to have your photo albums out on your coffee table at all times, you want them to be with you forever, so you need to take proper care of them. Where is a good place to store photo albums? If you want easy access to your photo albums, make sure not to cram them on your bookshelf to prevent damage. Keep them in an upright position and use bookends to keep them stable. For long-term storage, a large plastic container with a sealed lid is a great way to protect your albums from the elements, including dust and shifts in temperature.
If you think you're ready to organise your photographs into photo albums, check out our range online or in-store today. If you are curious if a custom photo book might be a better option for you, please check out our photo book guide.
A photo album makes a great gift
A photo album makes a great gift for Christmas, birthday or any other special occasion. If you're looking for a meaningful way to document life's milestones, our guide to printing and preserving first-day-of-school photos is a great place to start. So, the next time you're looking for a meaningful way to preserve your memories or surprise a loved one, consider the classic charm of a photo album.
Where is the best place to buy photo albums? You can find a variety of photo albums online or in-store at Ted's Camera stores.
Are Photo Albums Still a Thing?
Yes — photo albums are absolutely still a thing in 2026, and their popularity is actually growing. As screen fatigue increases and people crave more tangible experiences, printed photos and physical albums have seen a genuine resurgence. Social platforms like Instagram have ironically reignited the love of curated imagery, with many photographers and families choosing to take that a step further by printing and preserving their favourite shots. From sleek modern lay-flat albums to classic pocket-sleeve styles, photo albums remain a meaningful, lasting way to display your memories — something no cloud storage account can truly replicate.
Are Photo Albums Still Popular?
Photo albums are not just surviving — they're thriving. Gifting a personalised photo album has become one of the most thoughtful presents for birthdays, weddings, and milestones. Film photography's comeback has also fuelled demand, with 35mm film shooters seeking dedicated albums to display their prints with care. Independent bookshops, homewares stores, and specialist camera retailers like Ted's Cameras all report strong ongoing demand for quality albums. The desire to hold a physical memory, to turn a real page, and to share an album with someone sitting next to you is something that digital simply cannot replace.
Are Magnetic Photo Albums Safe for Your Photos?
This is one of the most common questions we hear — and the honest answer is: it depends on the album's age and quality. Older magnetic or self-adhesive albums from the 1970s–1990s used acidic adhesives and PVC plastic pages that are known to cause yellowing, fading, and long-term damage to prints. However, modern magnetic photo albums from reputable brands are typically manufactured with acid-free, archival-safe materials that are much safer for photo preservation. If you're storing irreplaceable prints, always check that an album is labelled acid-free and lignin-free. For extra peace of mind, consider albums with polypropylene sleeves or true archival construction.
Which photo albums are the best?
There are four main types of photo albums to consider, each suited to different needs and photography styles.
Slip-in photo albums
Slip-in albums feature pre-made pockets or sleeves into which you slide your prints. They are quick to fill, keep photos protected behind a clear layer, and are ideal for standard print sizes. Because photos are not adhered to anything, they can be easily removed and rearranged. The trade-off is limited flexibility with non-standard print sizes.
Dry mount photo albums
Dry mount albums use a heat-activated adhesive tissue to permanently bond prints to the page. The result is a clean, flat, professional-looking presentation with no borders or pockets in sight. These are popular for fine art prints and portfolios, though the permanent bond means repositioning is not an option once applied.
Self-adhesive photo albums
Self-adhesive albums — sometimes called magnetic albums — feature pages with a sticky surface covered by a clear plastic overlay. You peel back the overlay, position your photos anywhere on the page, and press the cover back down. This format is flexible and accommodates any print size or shape, making it great for mixed-format collections and creative layouts.
Magnetic photo albums
Magnetic albums are a specific category within the self-adhesive style, distinguished by their thick, sturdy pages and the quality of materials used. Premium magnetic albums use acid-free, archival-safe pages that protect photos from yellowing and deterioration over time. They are widely regarded as the most versatile album type — suitable for standard prints, Polaroids, odd-sized prints, and even small memorabilia. For everyday family albums and long-term keepsakes, magnetic albums are one of the most popular choices in Australia.
What makes a quality photo album?
Not all photo albums are built equally. Regardless of which type you choose, there are a few key quality markers worth looking for before you buy.
Archival-safe and acid-free materials
The most important quality indicator is whether the album pages and sleeves are acid-free and archival-safe. Albums made with acidic materials will cause photos to yellow, fade, and deteriorate over time — sometimes within just a few years. Look for albums explicitly labelled as acid-free or lignin-free to ensure your prints are protected for decades.
Page construction
Quality pages should be thick, lie flat, and hold photos securely without buckling or warping. In magnetic albums, the adhesive layer should grip prints firmly across the full surface rather than at the edges only. In slip-in albums, pockets should be snug but not so tight that inserting or removing prints risks damage.
Cover durability
A photo album's cover takes the most physical wear. Hardcover albums with reinforced binding will outlast softcover alternatives significantly. Linen, leatherette, and genuine leather covers all offer strong long-term durability and a premium presentation. Avoid albums with purely decorative covers that provide no structural support to the spine.
FAQ: What is the best type of photo album to preserve photos?
If preserving your photos for the long term is the priority, a magnetic photo album with acid-free, archival-safe pages is generally the best choice for most people. Magnetic albums accommodate virtually any print size, allow flexible layouts, and — when made with quality materials — protect your prints from the chemical deterioration caused by acidic pages.
For maximum archival protection, pair your album choice with prints made on quality photo paper from a reputable photo lab. Slip-in albums with clear archival sleeves are also a strong option for standard-sized prints, as photos are not adhered to any surface and can be removed without risk of damage.
Dry mount albums offer the cleanest visual presentation but are best reserved for prints you are confident will not need to be repositioned, as the bond is permanent. Whatever type you choose, prioritise acid-free materials and a hardcover construction — these two factors will do the most to protect your photos over time.
