We live in a digital age, where screens and technology impact almost every single thing we do. This shift from the real to the digital has also had an effect on photography. However, when it comes to professional photographers like myself, prints still absolutely play a huge role in photography businesses. There are many photographers out there who are no longer happy offering digital files to their clients without the option of physical products. They want their intentional and thoughtful artwork to live on in people’s lives, not just on social media. Providing art for your home is fulfilling and rewarding, both for me as the artist and photographer, and for you as the client. 

The way we capture our memorable moments has changed as a result of smartphones, and it is almost impossible to imagine how many photos are taken annually. Smartphones will be used to take approximately 1.5 trillion photos this year, according to a consulting firm that provides market research for the digital imaging industry, Rise Above Research. Furthermore, by the year 2026, 94% of all photos will be taken with a smartphone. That data demonstrates two things without a doubt: people all over the world enjoy taking photos, and the way we take and store those photos is constantly changing.

What will become of all those photos? Many of them will be shared on social media or with loved ones, but the vast majority will be forgotten. As hard drives fill up with thousands of images that will be rarely or never seen again, we should all be asking why almost none of these photos are being printed.

One reason is, of course, the massive amount of images on smartphones. With 2,100 photos on the average iPhone in 2022, the cost of printing them all would be prohibitively expensive. Furthermore, the purpose of printing photos has always been to share memories with friends and family. Now that we don’t need to print photos to share them, it makes sense that people just show off their photos digitally rather than dealing with product orders. 

However, there are numerous advantages to printing your portraits, and people enjoy having printed photos for a variety of reasons.

Printing can be less risky than relying on digital files. The way our eyes see images on paper will not change, but the way electronics like phones or computers read digital files will. We used to store photos on DVDs, but they are now nearly extinct. External hard drives have also gone through many changes and changed the way they connect many times, from USB to FireWire to Thunderbolt – and those will likely continue to change as time goes on.

It can be unsettling to consider that there is no guarantee that the digital files we create today will be accessible to computers in the future. Unless we continue to  

The repercussions of this are profound: unless you regularly update your digital archives to conform to new technologies, a process that many people are unable or unwilling to do, there is no guarantee that computers will be able to open and read the images you are taking today. This suggests that as technology advances, we will lose more and more photos as a result of out-of-date file formats or incompatible electronics. Imagine if your child found a cassette tape or record album in your attic and wanted to listen; would you have the ability to play it for them? In most homes now, the answer would be no.

A properly stored archival print, as opposed to a digital file, can last for over 100 years without the use of electricity or batteries. A print doesn’t need certain technology to be viewed and can be enjoyed for many, many years. It also doesn’t need to be updated every time technology advances. Therefore, printed images offer a great form of backup for your digital images, at the very least, in addition to the pure visual pleasure you’ll get from them.

When all is said and done, the most important reason for printing is artistic. A professionally printed image is captivating. It’s so much more satisfying to hold a physical print in your hands rather than seeing it flat on a screen, especially a tiny phone screen. The print reflects the effort and passion that went into creating it. 

I don’t take this responsibility lightly. As a photographer, I have the honor of capturing the most important moments in your life. Then I am honored to transform those clusters of pixels into physical works of art for you to display, share, and gift to your children and future generations. That brings me complete joy! Some of my favorite moments as a photographer in Greensburg, PA, have been watching my clients open their product orders. Their eyes light up as they look at their memories in their hands, and tears often flow. That’s what it’s really about for me.

There are a few more reasons why I believe printing your photos is so important:

1. They improve the visual appeal of your living space.

Nothing beats walking into a room in your house and catching your breath as you see your framed print or canvas of the people you care about on the wall. Your family is your legacy and your greatest achievement, so it’s only natural that they should be on display. You can collaborate with your photographer to capture memories that will add to the personality of your decor for updated portraits over time. 

2. They are your time capsules.

Each image is a time capsule, containing details about the day it was captured, moments, interactions, and details of memories that will fade with time. Long after that, the photos will still be there, unaltered, transporting people back to that exact moment. Your memories should be captured and enjoyed for many years to come, whether they are big, monumental moments like weddings or small, simple times at home.

3. What a wonderful present idea!

What’s a better gift for a loved one than photos of your family, in the form of albums, prints, or photo boxes. My clients frequently order prints as gifts for birthdays or special occasions for family members. Receiving tangible photos that they can display in their homes and enjoy time and time again is especially beloved by grandparents. 

4. They make your memories even more meaningful

How often do you scroll through endless pages of photos on your phone to relive a special moment? Since all of your photos are digital, it is likely that they won’t be viewed very frequently and eventually forgotten altogether. Your memories become even more special when you hold or hang a photo, and you are much more likely to regularly enjoy them. Physical prints are a huge way to cherish your memories; don’t miss out on it!

5. They help remind you of memories you might otherwise forget

Every detail is carefully considered when I work with my clients to plan a family, maternity, or newborn session. I think about location, clothing, the family members, and the relationships and dynamics, everything is meticulously thought out and then captured forever in a tangible form. That way, they can remember and cherish memories from a time that will fade with the passage of time. Many of my clients have told me that they feel like time is going by too fast, so the idea of capturing moments in time is powerful.I’m Tracy, and I’m a professional photographer servicing Greensburg, Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas. Click HERE to contact me about creating beautiful memories and artwork for your own family!