I listen to Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 religiously as I just love getting an in-depth snapshot (sounds a bit of an oxymoron) of someone else's life. The ups and downs, the opportunities they've taken, the mistakes they've made, the people they've loved, the moments that have shaped them - it's fascinating. Even if they are a person I've never heard of whose life bears no resemblance to mine, it's still a fabulous insight into what matters to people. So in a nutshell (in case you don't know it) the radio programme asks the impossible question: which eight records would you take to a desert island and why? And then at the end the host of the show also ask, 'and what luxury item would you take'. Drumroll....
So, excitingly, in a recent episode, the celebrated theatre director Sir Gregory Doran chose his set of photo albums as his luxury. Hell Yeah! No fancy gadget, no indulgent treat — just his huge collection of photo albums.
He has had made a photo album for every year that he and his partner had been together which amassed to a collection of 35 albums - very impressive! He described them as being the traditional type where you stick the photos in - imagine my heart skip a beat with joy - and then went on to detail them as 'full of sunshine, holidays and family and kids growing up and Tony and I...' I was literally clapping him as he was talking!
It’s a choice that feels wonderfully reassuring. And I'm now going to convince you why taking a photo album with you to a far-flung desert island, is an excellent idea....
More than just pictures, they are a curation
A phone full of photos is convenient. I love having them all at my fingertips. But will you really revisit that digital clutter? Will your kids ? Albums are different. They’re curated, intentional, lovingly crafted. They’re not 25 versions of the same group selfie — they’re the group selfie that sums up a whole night, a friendship, a moment in time. It's the one that you have deliberately chosen.
A Physical Connection
There’s something deeply comforting about the weight of an album in your hands. The cover that has been beautifully bound. The rustle of pages with their beautifully crisp glassine interleaves. The careful turning — no algorithm, no notifications, just memories that you absorb at a steady pace. In a busy world, I think that’s pure luxury.
They Get Better With Time
Photo albums are one of the few things in life that get more valuable the older they get. Years from now, when memories fade, the album will still be there, unchanged. And it’s not just yours anymore — it becomes family history, passed down and pored over by children, grandchildren, and whoever else wants to peek into the past.
Your Own Castaway Collection
So, what would be in your “desert island” photo album?
Family milestones, birthday cakes, graduations, beloved pets, cherished family members, that perfect holiday sunset? Or maybe the small, ordinary moments that feel huge when you look back — a kitchen full of laughter, a Sunday walk, party outfits. It's the funny things in the background of a photo that I love looking at!
The beauty is: you get to choose. And unlike your phone’s camera roll, a photo album holds only the best bits — the ones worth keeping forever. And what I like is it's actually what you thought at the time were the best bits, and that is really interesting too!
Bring Back the Album
If Sir Gregory Doran’s pick inspires you, maybe it’s time to print those photos and make your own castaway-worthy album. Whether it’s one grand volume or a shelf of them, filled slowly year after year, you’ll thank yourself one day — and so will everyone you share it with.
Do let us know if we can help - as it is our specialist subject (I wonder if anyone has ever chosen the world of bookbinding or photo albums on Mastermind...?)
Bobby
hello@begolden.co.uk