The Power of Print
In a World saturated with all things digital, the time of prints, canvases, and wall art is becoming more of a distant memory than the industry standard. A quick 30 second search on social media can warrant hundreds of photographers, but most are simply shoot and burn photographers. This means, instead of taking the time to educate their clients and provide tangible memories, they just give you some digitals and send you on your way. Not many understand why this is such a disservice.
So when I have a client send me a photo of their portrait beautifully displayed in their home with the message, “Your work is magical!!!!” it’s truly such a rewarding feeling! Not only because I know they loved my work enough to order a print, but because I know they will walk past their portrait every day and smile because they will instantly be taken back to that magical moment.
Sherry & Ashley proudly display their 36x24 inch print in their home where it can be appreciated daily.
“Your work is magical!!!!” - Ashley
Sherry & Ashley proudly display their 36x24 inch print in their home where it can be appreciated daily.
One of the most amazing benefits of displaying your portraits as wall art is the constant reminder of the love, joy, and laughter you felt at the time the image was captured. So when you’re walking around upset with your significant other, the kids are making you crazy, or you’re missing that loved one who is no longer here, your portraits will be there to remind you of the love you share. To remind you that they won’t always be this little. That no matter the distance, love can transcend all of space and time.
My Papa Bear & I. Yes, it’s hanging just below the ceiling. My husband is six and a half feet tall, everything in our house is hung high! And yes, I had to stand on a chair to snap this quick phone pic!
Some of my favorite portraits being displayed in my home right now are of my grandparents. My grandpa (aka Papa Bear), loved food. After every meal, he would sit back and say, “Well that was good, what’re we gonna do for (insert next mealtime here)?” Upon his passing, my parents gifted me an 8x10 print of he and I on my wedding day. Clutching it tightly with tears in my eyes, my husband and I walked through our home scanning the walls for just the right place to hang it. After only a few moments, my husband grinned a little and said “I know where Papa should go” and he outstretched his hands to the frame I was hugging so tightly I’m amazed the glass didn’t break. I handed it over, following him through the house. He stopped in out kitchen, and he held this framed precious memory just over the entry way. I kind of looked at him bewildered, and he replied with a tearful smile, “Papa’s gotta be right by the food” as he nodded to our refrigerator against the wall not even a foot away. I laughed and cried at the same time, nodding my head in agreement as he went to get a nail and hammer.
I had to stand on my bed to get this quick phone pic, I’m barely 5”2!
A few short years later, my grandma (aka Nana) passed away. Again, my parents gifted me with a framed portrait of myself with her and Papa on my wedding day. My Nana and I were incredibly close, and losing her hit me harder than anything I have yet to experience. My husband lovingly hung this portrait of the three of us in our bedroom on my side of the bed. Every morning when I wake I click on the light, set my feet on the floor, and they are the first thing I see.
The times I feel overwhelmed, sad, or just need a moment to breathe, I find myself sitting in front of the portrait of the three of us. Just sitting there, looking at it, I’m reminded of all the wonderful memories we were blessed enough to share.
This is the power of print, and this is what I want to give each and every one of my clients. Because they deserve more than mere digitals tossed on a USB card, or digital files sent over the internet. Digitals are frail, temporary, and easily corrupted or lost. Just think of how many phones have taken a swan dive into a toilet, the multitudes of forgotten logins, or the simple fact that once you have those digitals, you just don’t have the time to go and get prints yourself. I want for all of my clients to have tangible portraits from their sessions or events. This ensures the continuance of their legacy, it’s the most secure way to preserve their memories, and it provides them with a daily reminder of good times and people they love.
Me and my Nana. A simple phone pic, not wearing any makeup, no filters, but still one of the most amazing memories that I couldn’t imagine living without.