The Importance of Prints

We are growing up in a generation which is photographed more than any other before, but who will also have fewer photographs of themselves than any previous generation. The digital revolution has made photography more accessible and affordable to the average family. This is AMAZING! However, there is a very sad flip side to this revolution…

People aren’t printing their photos. We don’t treat digital files like we used to treat film negatives, and we NEED to. The various digital formats we keep our images in are meant to be temporary storage devices that keep your images safe between the time the photo is taken to the time it is printed and safe in your hands. These files can be corrupted, stolen, deleted, destroyed, hacked, or lost.

Prints bring CONNECTION

The physical nature of prints brings us back to a moment, a feeling, a person or pet we have lost in a way that a digital file cannot. We have to intentionally seek out and search through digital files to look back on memories of our families and pets. When we print our photographs, in contrast, there is a constant connection with those images and moments. We can be going about our day and see a photo on our wall that reminds us of a moment, person, or pet and we are instantly given that moment back, if only for a split second.

Albums are accessible to our entire families. Our children don’t have free access to digital files the way we do. Albums are one way of printing these images to help our children feel important, valued and give them a way to enjoy looking through family memories when they choose. Photographs are a wonderful way to share stories and memories of each other and our pets who sadly never stay quite long enough.

Do I believe there is only value in professional portraits? Absolutely not! I love to print both my portrait session photos of our family as well as my phone snapshots. I choose to print my snapshots in smaller, more economical albums, and my professional images in ways that can be showcased throughout our home and in albums that will become heirlooms and are of a quality that can be passed down through generations.

Why are print products included in all of my collections?

I include print products in all of my collections with the exception of some mini sessions. I do this so my clients receive a full service experience with me and will walk away with something tangible after investing time, money and faith in my services and trusting me to capture their family. Of course we can all take our digital files to a local consumer lab and print our images. I have done the same thing. I continually found the colour was never consistent enough, canvas quality was poor and over time paint chipped off of them, the canvas sagged and they looked less than stellar on the wall. I use only the best labs and guarantee my print products for a lifetime. My printed products are professionally UV coated and protected. They are also guaranteed by the labs I use. Customer satisfaction is my top priority! I love to create custom artwork for families that will be cherished for many generations.

Can I get the digital files?

YES! Almost all of my collections come with some or all digital files in a resolution suitable for printing up to 11x14. Most families prefer to print with Ashleigh Wells Photography for images bigger than 11x14 to ensure quality when investing in an art piece for the home that is that large. I understand the desire to have the digital files for social media sharing and sharing with family who do not live nearby. My mom also always bought negatives. Those negatives are in my garage right now. It is not moisture nor temperature controlled, and who knows what the quality of those will be, so I’m forever grateful that she also bought the prints with those negatives! I am happiest when I can provide you with both options!

Don’t stop taking snapshots

Just because I value prints so highly, doesn’t mean I don’t also value the little moments I catch when only my phone is handy. The blurry photo of my husband crying, and hugging our heart dog the day we took her to cross the Rainbow Bridge, or the too dark, grainy photo I take each year of my kids blowing out their birthday candles…all of these little moments are important. Capture them…but please don’t forget to PRINT them!

Love,

Ashleigh