Prints Matter | Is printing your images outdated?
Prints Matter
by Bessie Young Photography
There is just something magical about printed pictures. I can't stress it enough, get those pictures printed. This way you see them, feel them, and and know that you experienced it. Don't hide them away on your computer. Show them to the world!
Whether we like it or not we live in a digital age. It wasn't very long ago that I was using film and working in a dark room instead of a digital camera and a laptop. The only way you could even see an image was by looking at the negative or printing it out. Remember bringing your film into your local photo store to get your images printed? Most weddings photos and family memories were printed on 4x6 photo paper and placed in a photo album, hung up on your wall, or placed in a beautiful frame.
When digital cameras came around I was upset. I won't lie. I refused, and I mean absolutely refused, to buy a digital camera. My parents were telling me that I needed to let it go and purchase one; however, I was like 'oh heck no, I take real pictures!' Well eventually I broke down and purchased a digital camera and I am sooooo glad I did :) ; however, with digital images I found myself storing my photos away on my computer and never getting them back out. I was taking so many pictures on vacations, holidays, and family get togethers yet I found myself taking my SD card, downloading the images onto the computer, and then never touching them again. Why? I was busy... I would get to it eventually... and it wasn't that big of a deal... but it WAS a big deal and it IS a big deal. My walls in my home were bare and I had nothing to show for all the fun trips, holidays, and loving friends and family that I have in my life. Can you relate?
So I have been dedicated to print my pictures and show them to the world!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCZLx_ljzuc/?taken-by=bessieyoungphotography
Now days, with all the social media and digital cameras, we have pictures on our phones, computers, Facebook, and Instagram pages... so why would we need printed pictures or albums?
There is a big reason I include albums and prints in my wedding packages and albums as an option for my family portraits. Just stop and think for a moment of your favorite photograph growing up.... guaranteed it was a printed one. Think about all the pictures that you have from your childhood. Think about all the family albums that you were able to look through of your grandparents wedding, your parents wedding, and all the fun family trips. These are all physical objects that link you to your past and helps you see your families past. This is why you need printed pictures.
As many of you know, if you follow me on Instagram, I am a huge advocate for printing pictures (hence this blog post). During my initial consultation with clients I encourage them to think about printed images and albums. Think about these things as family heirlooms that you will be able to pass on from generation to generation. Digital pictures are fantastic to have, but prints are where it matters. When you get images on a burned disc you shove them away and forget about them. Every so often you may bring that disc out, but what happens when the disc is corrupt? All your images get lost. What happens when technology makes discs a thing of the past? (remember floppy discs?) Your images get lost. What happens when that disc gets scratched or cracked? What happens when your computer fails? You get where I am going here right? This is why you need printed pictures.
When your grandchildren are going through your belongings don't you want them to be able to look through beautiful old images of your life rather than looking at a disc or USB wondering 'What the heck is that?' The printed images will have become a treasured family heirloom rather than a disc that ends up in the trash can.
Digital files are for now. Prints are for you and the next 3 generations. Prints give your photos life! Hard drives bury images.
Prints are an investment and a wise choice. They are a gift that you will be leaving your children, their children, and their children's children. Prints aren't an outdated choice for the modern digital world. They are a necessity to document your life, hang up on your wall, and provide memories for your family. This is why you need printed pictures.
Maybe you haven't printed your images because aren't positive on what size print you would like or how it would look in your room. There are some pretty cool websites out there that actually have a way to show you what your picture will look like on your wall. Check this one out:
http://www.ohmyprints.com/index/455/de/WallApp
Here is an example one room display that I used, via the website above, with an image from a newborn session:
Then there is always Pinterest! Here is a neat board I found with all sorts of display ideas:
https://www.pinterest.com/explore/photo-walls/
I choose to print my pictures at one of the top premier printing companies. I want nothing but the best for my customers and with that I want their images to last for years and years to come. Many times when you order your prints from say Walmart, Staples, CVS, or online, the color will be off. It may look yellow or a bit orange. This is due to the quality of printers, inks, and papers. Your images will be printed on Kodak Professional Supra Endura VC Digital Paper for Lustre paper. It has an increased color gamut, excellent flesh reproduction, sharpness, and brilliant image quality. The Lustre coating provides protection from fingerprints and slight scratches as well as provides a slightly matte appearance to your prints.These prints are meant to last for over 100 years in a typical home display (meaning the color won't begin to fade).
Hopefully, your take away is that Prints Matter! Leave your opinion in the comments below! I would love to hear what your thoughts and ideas.
Bessie
#printsmatter
If you are interested in purchasing nature images for your wall come check out my shop here:
http://bessieyoung.photography/shop/