In this digital age of social media and cell phone galleries, are printed family pictures still necessary? Absolutely! There's nothing wrong with digital copies of images, but they shouldn't be the only version of your family pictures. Here are 5 reasons why:
1. Printed family pictures boost your children's self-esteem and sense of belonging
This is the most important reason to print your family pictures! Studies show that having family pictures displayed in your home and accessible in printed albums gives children higher self-esteem and a greater sense of belonging. It gives them a constant visual reminder that they're a valued and loved member of the family. Displaying family portraits prominently in your home shows the central importance of your family and your children. It shows that you honor them and the memories you've experienced together. I've even had clients who wanted printed family pictures for their walls because their children asked for them! Printed family pictures matter because they are noticed by and have great impact on your children.
2. Printed family pictures make great custom art for your home
Don't fill your home with stock art and pretty pictures that have no personal connection to your family. Personalize your home with pictures of the people you love! A photographer who specialized in printed work can create something stunning for your walls--from the photographs themselves to to the custom printing and framing options. Professional photographers have access to print labs with the highest quality materials and incredible attention to detail. Not all photographers use these labs, though, so be sure to find one that does. Side note: Custom family picture art also makes great personalized gifts!
3. Tell your family's story through a printed album or wall gallery
Family pictures are meant to be experienced together. When was the last time you pulled up a folder of pictures on your computer and went through them with your children, extended family, or friends? An album is easy to grab off the shelf and sit down to reminisce over. It’s easy to walk down a hall and view a gallery of family pictures documenting your family over the years. You can even incorporate photos passed down from relatives to help teach your children their family history and give them an even stronger sense of belonging. Printing your pictures on museum-quality and archival materials help preserve your family's story and allow it to be passed down for generations to come.
4. Digitals don't do your family pictures justice
Have you ever taken a picture of a sunset or stunning mountain scenery? It never looks as good on your phone screen or back of your camera as in reality, right? It’s similar with your family pictures. (For example, all of the client portraits pictured on this blog post are 10x more stunning in real life!) We all love having the digital copies of our pictures. You can post them to social media for a quick and easy way to show them to your friends and family, but everyone’s screen shows picture quality and colors differently. The only way to guarantee color accuracy, depth, and an overall stunning presentation is to print through your photographer. Find a photographer who specializes in printed work and has taken the time to learn how to properly prepare and print digital files. It’s worth the higher price tag for gorgeous prints and full service!
5. Digital formats might get lost, corrupt, or cease to exist
Many USBs and external hard drives corrupt or break over time. They can also be misplaced. Digital formats improve and change (many new computers no longer have CD drives. And remember floppy disks?). Online gallery sites can shut down unexpectedly. If you’re using social media as your photo album and memory keeper, you’re counting on a platform you don’t own that might not be around forever. (Anyone panic when we were all locked out of Facebook and Instagram for four hours? Anyone lose portions of their lives in pictures to the Myspace vortex?) If you aren’t diligent in backing up your pictures to multiple places, you risk losing your family pictures forever. Having physical printed pictures in addition to backed-up digital copies is the best way to ensure you never lose your cherished memories. Bonus: Higher-end professional photographers will often add another layer to this protection by archiving the pictures you purchase (I triple backup every portrait my clients purchase and keep them forever).
To see what's possible beyond digitals, contact Alyssa Koster Photography. I'll come to your home and bring wall art and album examples for you to see and feel. I want you to have tangible family portraits that you and your children can experience together forever.
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