Oh the ole “digital versus print” debate! Ask any professional photographer what’s the number one question they get from prospective clients and I bet at the top of the list is, “Do you sell the digital files?” I’ll be honest. When I started my business, I refused to do it. The thought of someone buying the digital files – images I worked hard to take and edit – and having the files printed at a cheap big box store by a teenage “photo tech” who could care less, disgusted me. I know most people can’t tell the difference between photos printed at a big box store and at a professional printer. But there is a difference. Trust me. And yes, I was that woman who, way back before I’d started my business, took photos to be printed at Wal-Mart then complained that the images were too magenta or too cyan. The pimply-faced photo tech would look at me annoyed and bored as I politely suggested they adjust their machines. Ridiculous, I know.

But now that I’m in business, I know there are amazing, quality printing companies with affordable prices. And yes, I now offer digital files in my product list. I get it. I understand why clients want to own the files. These are images of their beautiful children and they want to keep those memories instead of ordering just one or two. So now, I hope to educate clients on the importance of not just buying the digital files but printing them, too.

I speak from experience. I have a computer full of several years’ worth of photos of my family I have yet to print. It drives me crazy because one, I do this for a living and two, I miss seeing the images. My goal this year is to take those photos and create albums so I’ll have something to hold, look through and share with others. It’s so much nicer than saying, “look at my computer screen as I dig through five files to find a photo from little Johnny’s birthday party!” Click, click, snooze!

The fun thing about printing photos is that there are so many things to do with them. Below are just a few…

A 4×6 or 5×7 album of 20 prints is a great way to show off images from a session. Album pages include the actual print attached to the page. The cover material is beautiful!

One of my digital packages includes a photo box with the selected images printed and mounted for durability. This allows the client to see the files in print and to display their favorites. The photo box is designed with photos from the session.

This is one of my favorite grandparent gifts…the mini accordion album! They come three to a set and have room for up to 10 images. Super easy gift for moms and grandmothers!

Another one of my favorites…the gallery-wrapped canvas! The photos are printed on art canvas and arrive ready to hang. Just beautiful!

The 20×20 collage is a great way to show off 9 images from a session, especially with a high school senior.

And baby’s first birthday photos look great on a 10×20 storyboard. The collage and storyboard are both mounted and sprayed for protection.

For more information about products and prices, please visit my website here. Thanks for looking!