If you have met me, you know I get very passionate when it comes to photography. I see every photograph as a memory and a window to the past. Some of my most treasured possessions are not precious metals or stones (although, I do love sparkly diamonds!). In reality, the possessions I treasure most are my volumes of photographs–photos of me with my family, portraits of my daughter, snapshots from the adventures my husband and I go on. I love them all. Even the outtakes.
As a professional digital photographer, I will admit I still create prints. Partly because I love paper (another obsession) and partly because I don’t trust technology. I’ve printed for years.
A few weeks ago a I read an article published by the TODAY Show / NBC that really drove the value of photographic prints home for me. The article was entitled “Why your digital photos might die before your grandkids see them.” I won’t lie, the article really lit a fire and turned my passion into a crusade. In fact, after I had my “A HA!” moment, I sat down and changed my wedding packages to always include an album–something I previously had as optional. I am considering something similar for my portrait clients.
If you don’t want to take a few moments to read the article (however, I strongly suggest you do!), the premise is this: in our digital age, technology changes so quickly that it is almost disposable. Those hard drives and iPhones full of photos may be here today, but they will quickly be gone tomorrow. Hard drives fail. (They are only designed to last a few years.) Technology changes. (Do you remember the floppy disk or ZIP drive? And did your recent computer purchase include a DVD drive? Mine didn’t.) And don’t get me started about what happens when you get a magnet near your drives. Yikes.
Long and short of it is, technology changes. Technology fails. However, quality photographic paper lasts–especially when taken care of. Case in point, the photo below. This is an original photograph of my great grandmother as a child. It has been framed and displayed in my house for years. It is at least 100-110 years old now and I guarantee that my grand children could display it in their house decades from now with proper care.
While prints and albums may seem a bit “old school” in our digital age, I am here to assure you that there is nothing wrong with “analog.” Especially when it comes to memories and looking to the past. If you’ve recently purchased digital negatives, make prints. If you take photos with your iPhone, make prints. And of course, after your photography session, make sure you talk to your photographer about archival papers and albums. You’ll be glad you had the conversation when your grandchildren (and great grandchildren) have photos to enjoy.
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