Our children may be the most photographed generation to date, yet they are most likely to grow up with the fewest photographs.
We live in a digital world and use our phones to document our children’s lives. Chances are, your phone is full of photos of your kids. But when was the last time you printed your pictures? Do you have tangible keepsakes of your most precious memories?
As a lifestyle family photographer, I believe printed family photos matter. Here’s why.
Printed Family Photos Are Heirlooms
Family photos hold more than memories. They are gifts we give ourselves and our children today, and they are the legacy we leave for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Photos tell your family’s story, and show us where we’ve come from.
They are Tangible Treasures that Bring Us Joy
Photos evoke emotion.
They capture the fleeting seasons and stages of childhood–from a grinning baby to a teething toddler, a little boy missing his two front teeth, and a teen.
Looking through our photos evokes wonderful memoriesach fleeting phase, from my son’s obsession with Thomas the Train to collecting and building Star Wars Legos, turning our backyard into his very own Yankees wiffle ball field, and many more memories.
Displaying Family Photos in Our Home Shows Our Love
Photos symbolize our love and show what we value.
I have photos on display in almost every room in my home. Our living room is decorated with fine art canvas images of our family while smaller framed portraits are displayed on bedroom walls, shelves, dressers and desks. Even my fridge is filled with snapshots of my son and nephews so that every time I grab a class of water, I’m reminded of a happy memory.
My Facebook feed doesn’t tell my family’s story or show my son how much he is loved, but the framed photos and albums in our home are a great reminder to him of how loved and valued my husband and I view our family life. And chances are, Facebook may someday be phased out for the latest and greatest next social media platform.
Looking through photo books has the power to bring people closer together, to elicit emotion and spark conversation.
Did you know– (How family photos boost kids’ self-esteem).
I enjoy sitting with my son and looking through our annual albums and photo books. It gives me a chance to relive a particular time in our life, whether it is a family vacation or memories from his first birthday party, or one of the many hot and hazy summer afternoons when he and his neighborhood buddies set up lemonade stands and sold baseball cards. I love that I can show my son how loved he was from the day he was born, just by looking at photos showing him being cradled by his grandparents, his aunts, and his uncles.
Prints Have Longevity. Digital Images Are Temporary
Sure, I have a “photo album” on my iPhone, but I know it is only temporary. It’s great for quickly capturing a moment and instantly sharing with family and friends. But it isn’t tangible or lasting.
Digital media storage solutions are constantly changing and older methods quickly vanishing. DVD/CDs, which were once the gold standard for storing digital media, are vanishing and even USB drives are apt to be replaced in the near future. Is anyone besides me old enough to remember floppy disks or VHS tapes?! Who knows what electronic devices and media storage will look like 10, 20, 30 or more years from now. Will the Cloud still even exist? Without that knowledge, we have no way of safely preserving our digital photos.
An archival quality print can last for over 100 years when stored properly and is the best option for archiving your most important photos.
Printed Family Photos Are More Impactful than Digital Images
Seeing your family portrait as a custom art piece hanging in your home is so much more meaningful than viewing the same image on your Facebook wall, iPhone, Instagram or computer screen.
Displaying printed photos is also a beautiful way to decorate your home and add a warmth. There are so many options for decorating your home with prints: fine art canvases, wall galleries of framed prints, desk or table top frames for the office, or even just one huge image hung above the mantle!
My photography business reflects my personal values on the power of photography and the importance of printed photographs. I offer printed photos because I believe in print. Professionally printed photos will last a lifetime and are the safest way to archive your family’s memories to be passed down from generation to generation.
Whether you take your own family photos or hire a professional photographer, don’t let your photos be forgotten on a hard drive or disappear into the depths of the digital cloud. Go Print Your Family Photos!
If you live in New Jersey and are considering a family photo session, I’d love to work with you. Get in touch!
Need recommendations on where to print photos? Be sure to read:
Leave a Reply
Winner of the Westfield Area Most Loved Family Photographer award by Hulafrog two years in a row, Debbie Camba Photography is a New Jersey Family Photographer based in Scotch Plains. She specializes in capturing candid and meaningful moments that reflect the love and wonder of childhood and family life.
Debbie photographs families outdoors and in homes throughout Scotch Plains, Westfield, Mountainside, Cranford, Summit, Basking Ridge and the surrounding area, including Somerset County, Morris County and Middlesex County. She is available in other locations upon request.
Debbie was awarded Master Photographer Certifications by the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) for demonstrating excellence in the craft of child and family photography.
about debbie...
[…] Need more convincing? Check out my recent post on Why Printed Photos Matter. […]
Thank you so much Evelynne!!💞
[…] And, be sure to print your photos so you can enjoy them everyday and they can be passed down to your grandchildren. Why print? Read my recent article on The Power of Print and Why Prints Matter. […]