It probably hasn’t ever crossed your mind that printing your images is quite important, especially in this day and age where it isn’t the only option available for viewing those moments in time. But I hope that after you read this post it will become as important to you as it is for myself and many photographers out there. Read on for my top 4 reasons why printing your photos is so important.
Top 4 Reasons to print
1. download & forget:
Out of sight, out of mind
2. technology can fail you:
It’s not wise to keep all your eggs in one basket
3. decorate your home:
Boast one of a kind pieces of art work
4. prints are like a time capsule:
Share stories with the next generations
Download & Forget
You have had your session and the waiting is over – your online gallery is ready for you. You love your images and there are so many to choose from. When it comes time to purchase your favourites you tell yourself that it’t OK, you will just get the digitals now then you can print them later. But if you are really honest with yourself, you know that won’t happen (I know – I have told myself this many times). Life gets busy and before you know it, you have moved on with another stage of your life and those photos have been forgotten on that USB or computer drive somewhere (you don’t know where that “somewhere” is though, because you put it in a “safe place”).
technology can fail you
Here one minute – gone the next. That can be true for both prints and digital files. Printed products can be lost due to fire and flood and so can electronic devices that hold your digital images. However there are a couple more dangers in only having digital copies of your images. Electronic devices can become corrupt or completely die (I have experienced a computer dying on me). This can also happen to USB sticks and don’t get me started on Apple computers not having disk drives anymore, which means no more burning your files onto CDs.
If you store your digital images with online storage services such as the Cloud, Dropbox or GoogleDrive, you can run the chance of these services failing or locking you out due to security breaches, or simply these services no longer existing. I have heard of people relying on the online gallery that came with their session, but that isn’t safe either as your gallery with me will close 3 months after your session.
Now, when it comes to the digital files themselves, there is no guarantee on lifespan. Files like JPEGs deteriorate over time and the possibility that in the future they will not be recognised by devices is too scary to chance.
The smart move when it comes to digital images would be to have a back up. It’s a good thing that when you order printed images through me, you also receive a complimentary digital copy of the same image. Don’t just put your digitals on your computer and forget about it – save it on an external hard drive, put it on your phone, keep a copy on your email and share it with friends on social media (plus tag Pepperina Portraiture so your friends can document their own memories through me). But the first step is to PRINT THOSE IMAGES!
Decorate Your Home with Something Meaningful
The saying “what makes a house a home is the people in it” is very true, but I would argue that a house also becomes a home when the walls and mantle pieces are filled with memories and love. Whether they are professional photos or just happy snaps that have frozen amazing moments in time, these ink marks on various mediums speak so much. It is one thing to see a photo on a device, but to see that same image printed in a particular style on a particular medium and displayed in a particular spot – that is something else! Have you ever walked into a house and the art works on the walls match the rest of the styling of the house?
Keep a Time Capsule for the Future Generations
It can’t be just me who loves to look at the family photos on the walls and shelves of those that I am visiting. I have been able to learn things about my own family and other’s just because of these photos. They are conversation starters. And how handsome where our grandparents with their classic stylings! We can do the same thing for our children and future grandchildren. Whether that be on the walls, shelves, coffee tables (think photo albums) or even the back of the toilet door. Not only can we enjoy them now, but they can be passed down the generations. I love pulling out the photo album that my sister made for my 21st birthday – my children are so shocked and amazed at what myself and their aunties and uncle looked like at the same age they are now. They are even more shocked when they see their grandparents, haha!
Now that I have convinced you of the need to print, it is now your turn to decide what and how to print. I know that the choices of printed products can become overwhelming but that is what I am here for – to help you to make a choice that best suits you and your life. There are options for one big (or small, if you like) print, or if you have too many favourites that are impossible to narrow down there are frames that will hold multiple images (usually called collages). Photo books or photo boxes are a great option to hold your cherished prints. The print medium is also something to consider. I currently offer canvas, wood, metal and acrylic prints, along albums and photo boxes. Keep an eye out for my future blog showcasing my products, but while you wait head over to my product page on my website. Another critical decision when it comes to printing your images is ‘WHERE’. To make sure your photos stand the test of time, I would strongly suggest printing your images with a professional lab. My products are printed and produced through a professional lab here in Brisbane and all products hold a lengthy warranty. The best places to print and other printing service information will be a future blog post. Why don’t you join my VIP list and be the first to know when these blog posts come out.
Has this post changed your mind about printing your photos? What was or is holding you back? Do you have a printed photo that is dear to your heart? What is first on your list to get printed? Please do not forget to back up your photos!
