Why you need your memories to exist as prints

Why do my all-inclusive collections include prints?

I can say with confidence that 90% of my clients end up getting an all-inclusive collection after their session. My collections have always included some form of print. But for most, having all of the digitals is the main pull.

I even sometimes get asked if there’s a discount if they don’t have the prints.

The answer? Nope. The prints are actually a complimentary gift from me to you, because I know that sometimes it’s the only way to ensure that any will even make it to print, and I know it’s the only way for my clients to see how their prints should look. My pro lab provides not only great quality, and I know that their colours match my edits almost perfectly.

Not a result I have ever had from ASDA, Boots, Tescos, or any of the online ‘high street’ print vendors (Photobox, etc.)

“We’ll print them ourselves, don’t worry!”

I don’t expect anyone who books me to have a clue about the ins and outs of prints, or to have any idea that not all prints are in any way, shape or form, equal. I spend more with my professional lab because they spend more on their machinery and materials to serve professional photographers.

The one hour booth at your local supermarket are there to serve customers who want prints cheap, and I don’t think quality is high on the list of priorities. Cheap ink, cheap paper - not great for colour quality or longevity.

So I’d rather spend a bit of the profit I could be making to ensure that as many clients as possible end up with something of professional quality in their hands at the end. Because the photos that we make together do not belong stuck on a USB, or a hard drive. That is no place for them to exist. And in fact, it’s as good as a grave as you’ll no doubt discover in 20 years time. But I’ll be long gone by then so good luck enjoying your memories on obsolete tech.

Your prints, however, as peripheral as they may seem to you now, may some day fall into the hands of your grandchild, who may marvel at this thing they hold in their hands. Imagine that. Now imagine that image fading because you wanted to save a few quid and skip the prints.

You didn’t hire me because of my future gazing abilities. You just wanted some nice pictures. But free with the nice pictures is some future gazing and in your future I like to see photos printed. Simple as that!

Your memories deserve to exist as prints - no memory should end up lost in a hard drive.