In the age of technology, it can be so easy to focus on digital images, and while there is nothing wrong with this, it is important to remember that your photos are worth so much more! Although it might be a bit of an investment, printing your photographs allows them to play a role in your everyday life, with impacts you may not ever expect.
THE DIGITAL WORLD CHANGES QUICKLY.
Not only has social media changed with time, but technology continues to evolve as a whole. 10 years ago, when you wanted digital files from your professional photo session, your photographer would deliver these on a CD. Yes. A CD. Can you remember the last time you used a computer with a CD drive? I know in my experience it has been a while. Even though cloud storage was growing by 2017, most photographers still delivered images on a Thumb Drive. Today, some computers are doing away with traditional USB ports, leaving those people to rely on additional adapters to access their photos. You already have so much on your mind. Trying to figure out new ways to keep up with your photos should not be one of those things.
TECHNOLOGY FAILS.
Beyond just the rapid changes, we know that technology can be generally unreliable. Social media accounts can be hacked. A troll can report your account and have it suspended. Hard drives can fail. Files can be corrupted. I was speaking with someone the other day on the topic of physical prints versus digital files. He told me that he had his daughter’s newborn photos stored on a hard drive…that failed. As if losing these images wasn’t terrible enough, he mentioned that since then his wife had passed away. All of those precious memories of their family were gone. My heart absolutely aches for this family and their loss. Solely relying on technology for something this valuable is not worth it. While digital images can be nice in the short term, it is too risky in the long term to rely on for something so precious to your family.
PRINTED PHOTOS BECOME PART OF YOUR LIFE.
When you display a photo in your home or place of work, it is viewed daily. It is an ever-present reminder of what is important in your life and communicates to those around you what you value most. Only having digital images means that you have to spend time and effort to intentionally seek them out. Printed photographs get to effortlessly live with you each day, bringing you comfort on days when you might need it most.
TANGIBLE PICTURES PROVIDE AN EXPERIENCE.
Running your fingers along the edges of the pages of a leather-bound photo album resting on your lap is not quite the same as scrolling through the thousands of photos on your phone to locate the one you would like to see. What is even better is that you can share this experience with someone else and build new memories with them. I know for myself, that some of my most cherished memories as a child include flipping through photo albums with my family. This is an experience you get to create with the ones you love most–something you can’t quite replicate with a screen.
IT IS BENEFICIAL TO YOUR CHILDREN.
It's also important to remember that these photos aren't just for you. A well-known study by David A. Krauss and Jerry L. Fryrear describes some of the impacts that printed photos can have on a child as they grow up. In their study, Phototherapy in Mental Health, the licensed psychologist says:
“I think it is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit. A photographer’s job is to create and make the image look like a safe holding space for kids where they are safe and protected. Kids get it on a really simple level.”
Sometimes we forget that children are just starting to figure the world out. Their confidence and self-esteem are being molded each day. Displaying their photograph in your home communicates that this is a space where they are valued, important, and they belong.
PRINTS LAST GENERATIONS.
It feels absolutely insane to try to think this far ahead, but not only will your children enjoy these photographs as they grow up, but these are also the photos that they will look back on as an adult. These are the photos that they will show to their future spouse one day when they visit for Thanksgiving. These are the photos that your grandchildren will get to look at and cherish. With archival paper products, you aren't just getting a picture, you are investing in your family’s heirlooms.
Once you make the decision to invest in printed artwork and albums for your family, it is important to find a photographer with a style that aligns with the vision you have for your family's photos. You also want a professional who can guide you through the ordering process. Printing archival-quality fine art and heirloom albums can be complex between the detailed specifications of color calibration to get your prints just right and the infinite number of options available when it comes to ordering your products. Having an expert's assistance in the process allows you to rest assured, knowing all of your questions can be answered on the spot and you're going to get exactly what you want. For those of you in Augusta, Georgia, (or Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, North Augusta, Aiken, or anywhere else in the CSRA) I'd be more than happy to be the photographer to provide you with these keepsakes that will last your family for generations. Fill out an inquiry by clicking the link below or email me at info@lizbond.com so that we can start planning your session today!
