The Timeless Value of Printed Photos: Why Your Photo Session Should Include Prints

Think of all the digital pictures that have been taken on the beaches and in the historic towns on the Forgotten Coast of Florida. No doubt it would be a very large number. So in our digital age, it’s easy to overlook the charm and significance of even just a single printed photo. With so many images stored on phones, clouds, and drives, the tangible essence of a photograph seems almost quaint. However, there are compelling reasons why my packages include printed photos from your sessions. Here’s why printed photography holds timeless value and why you should include it in your life.

1. An Invitation to Reflect and Remember

Printed photography invites us to slow down and reflect. On our screened porch, we have a small metal print of a dear departed friend and neighbor of mine in Italy. It’s hard not to pass his picture and acknowledge the connection and memories we shared; that alone made it worth the effort to have it printed. I even reflect on how grateful I am that I took that film photo of the artist at work in his studio to begin with. Unlike digital images that can be quickly scrolled past, printed media holds our attention. They encourage us to pause, remember, and appreciate the people, places, and moments they preserve. This captivating quality is particularly powerful in today’s fast-paced world.

2. Tangibility and Emotional Connection

Think about the obvious for a moment. The act of viewing a printed photo doesn’t require a password, or a screen, or power. Prints are a physical product that digital images simply can’t replicate. Most everyone is pleasantly surprised the first time they feel the substantial weight of a handmade heirloom quality photo album in their hands. Even holding a single photograph, feeling the texture of fine paper, and seeing the image without the mediation of a screen can create a unique and profound emotional experience. Someone took the time and care to print your memories in this way! This tangibility often evokes stronger memories and emotions, making your portraits more meaningful.

3. Longevity and Preservation

I’ve heard the unfortunate stories of people putting off having their digitals memories printed. Digital files are prone to corruption, accidental deletion, and technological obsolescence. Our own wedding photos were captured digitally and delivered on CD-ROM. Now how many computers still include CD readers? Printed photos on the other hand, are lasting artifacts. Properly cared for, they can be passed down through generations, serving as heirlooms that weave your stories. What is one of the first things people take during an evacuation, or search for should they return to a damaged home? There’s a reason we still cherish our family photographs; they are a window to our past through which we can view memories that digital formats don’t match.

4. Home Décor and Personalization

Your photographs add a personal touch to your living space, making you feel (and be) more at home.

And when your guests see them, you are openly showing a part of your identity. They are conversation starters and story openers. Sometimes they need no words at all. Whether it’s a framed family portrait on your wall, a series of candid shots in the hallway, or a wooden display box nesting your heirloom album, printed photography enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home and provides a familiar reminder of people and moments you cherish most.

Conclusion

While digital photos offer quantity, convenience and ease of sharing, printed portraits provide a depth of connection and permanence. Investing in prints ensures that your memories are preserved and seen.  They support the craft of photography, an industry of craftspeople, and beautify and personify your home.

In my next blog, I will be sharing why your photographer should be the one delivering printed products to you, so that you too can hold the memories you made on the Forgotten Coast in your hands.