You think you want digital files from your photography session, right?
Have you ever asked yourself why?
Take a moment now to consider...
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So did you come up with one of these top 5 answers?
1. So I can share on social media or with family overseas
2. So I can print them myself cheaper
3. So I can make as many copies as I want to
4. So I can play with them in photoshop etc
5. I just... want them... you know?
Well, lets break it all down and by the end of this post, I hope you will change your mind and realise the true value of your images lies in printing them, and printing them respectfully.
Before we get started...
I'd like to quickly address the technology lifespan of a digital file.
You see, if you get a USB of your photos, you put them on your computer and the USB goes somewhere "safe".
In ten years time little Tommy wants to see a baby photo.
You have a new computer and your photos weren't transferred. So you go to look for that USB drive.
MIRACLE! You remember where you put it! So you have your photos ready to show Tommy!
But... your computer in 2027 does not have a USB port.
Back up plan! Download the files from the cloud!
But... the software of 2027 does not read JPG files.
There is a saying that the most photographed generation in history will have no photos of their childhood as technology means we no longer print enough.
Also, Digital File Corruption
Instead of ten years, lets just flash forward a couple of months. You plug your USB into your computer to show some family, and you see this:
It looked fine last time I opened the file, what is going on?
Digital files can get corrupted at any time. Sometimes its just little lines like the ones above, sometimes much worse like this rainbow mess below and sometimes the file or USB just flat out will not open.
So lets address those
Top 5 Reasons You Want Digitals:
1. So I can share on social media or with family overseas
Fair enough. I get that. My own family all live overseas. Just remember, with any files you share online, it is safest to share watermarked photos. And just because you share files digitally, doesnt mean you should not print. Also, people look at photos on all sorts of screens, some will look good and some will look awful. Like... really bad.
2. So I can print them myself for cheaper
This one actually makes no sense. Sorry. Lets break it down.
You choose a photographer that you love the work and style of. You invest a lot of time and money on clothing, hair, makeup and an a few hours at a photography session. You pay your photographer a fair amount of money to take and edit photos to their high, professional standards.
Then you take those digital images on your USB and print at the cheapest, nastiest print kiosk that Kmart has to offer and put discoloured, oversaturated, dark and dodgy photos up in your home to look at every day.
After all the time and money you invested into your family photos, you sabotage the results at the finish line.
Printing through your photographer means the best quality prints. The pro labs use inks and papers that are tested to an international standard to look perfect and last generations. Kmart, Harvey Norman and other consumer printers are chasing the cheapest paper, cheapest inks and will always come out discoloured and fade very quickly.
3. So I can make as many copies as I want to
Sure, but... well we just covered this. And your photographer will always have your digital files on hand to print more for you any time you need them.
4. So I can play with them in photoshop etc
Grrrr. No. You must never play with a professional photographer's photos in photoshop.
The thing is, we create these images with a lot of training, thought and precision in our edits. When someone puts an instagram filter or photoshops our files, they are effectively vandalising our work.
If an altered image is then shared, it is misrepresenting the photographer as an artist. People will think the photographer creates work to that level.
Please, respect your photographer and do not alter their work.
5. I just... want them... you know?
Yeah, we have that feeling about them dont we! In this digital time we feel like "photos" means the digital file.
But in the past, the days when cameras captured images on film, did anyone expect to receive the negatives from their photographer? Probably not.
Not so long ago, we used to think of "photos" as the prints, and nobody ever asked for the negatives.
Breathe Easy Disclaimer
Just so you dont freak out reading this blog, I can assure you I am not about to ditch the digital files in my packages, because I understand that people DO want them.
I just want you to know how important it is to print your photos, to print professionally and to enjoy the true value of your photography session, which is for your memories to be beaming clear and beautifully from your walls every single day.
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Brisbane Family Photographer | Brisbane Newborn Photographer