If you've ever wondered if printed portrait photography is important, this blog is for you. In this article, I share my top 7 reasons why professional printed portrait photography is important. These reasons just might surprise you! For the purposes of this blog, let's define portrait photography to include family, children, boudoir, glamour/fashion, and pets.
It's said that approximately 85% of all photos are being taken on a phone, less than 50% get downloaded and even fewer are ever printed. If you are like most people in today's world, when you first think of photography, you don't think of the classic printed and framed photos hung on a wall or albums like your parents and grandparents kept. You probably turn to your phone and do an Internet search or begin to scroll your social media posts. The true value of portrait photography are the physical prints, albums, and wall art. If you are ready for why printed portrait photography is so important, let's dive in –
1. Portrait photography is important because it brings families together: whether everyone is local or spread out around the country. Family reunions are wonderful occasions to coordinate a portrait session. Most photographers are happy to schedule a session when you are going to all be together. It's convenient for everyone. If your family is local, gathering everyone up for a photo session is even easier!
2. Portraits show relationships and bonds: portraits show how families are connected and how they relate to each other. Portraits are a great way to share your family’s history with children, grandchildren, and successive generations. Professional photographers are skilled at respecting interpersonal dynamics and even, if by chance, you have an “iffy” relationship with certain family members, we can figure out a way to create portraits that celebrate the relationships and bonds that do exist. It's worth it for future generations to see and fully understand their lineage.
3. In tough times, portraits can bring comfort: We all have challenging times and during those moments we can find comfort and solace from our collection of portraits. Printed portraits allow us to hold the memory of our loved ones in our hands and provide us comfort when needed. Portraits remind us of who we are, where we came from, and perhaps where we are headed new paragraph
4. Don't be the first generation without printed portraits: We never like to think of tragedies, However sad things do happen. We lose loved ones, our phones crash, get lost, dropped, or stolen. It is so important to make sure you have plenty of images of your family and loved ones. Ask yourself this question: are you more likely to regret having a bunch of images of your grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, or regret NOT having them? Odds are you're going to regret not having them. Don't wait until you wish you had taken portrait photographs.
5. You are not just taking pictures for yourself - but for generations that will follow: Portraits and photos can and should be thought of as storytellers and they create your legacy for successive generations to enjoy and keep you by their side. The importance of knowing who you are, where you came from, who was part of your tribe and who had an influence on how you became the person you are today. Resolve today to start or continue your legacy of printed portraits so future generations can keep your memory alive, provide comfort in challenging times and bring sense of belonging.
6. Time flies and kids grow up fast: We all know this one. I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone say, “we haven't had a family photograph in years”. Not too surprising considering how insanely busy we are with work, kids, the pandemic, the new work rules, kids, sports, dance, cheer, doctors’ appointments, emergencies, etc. All of a sudden, we look up and realize years have gone by and we haven’t a family photograph in years. Don't wait – schedule your session ASAP!
7. Physical printed photographs capture a special charm: They have a meaning that can't always be put into words. Seeing, touching, and holding printed photos or an album of images is so much more meaningful than any digital file could ever be.
In conclusion:
How often do you go back and look at your social media posts? Would you hang any of them on your wall? Sure, you share them with friends - or even the world - but they disappear shortly in everyone’s newsfeeds hours later. Out of sight, out of mind as the adage goes.
We all have those moments we wish we could hold onto forever. A first kiss, a first dance, warm memories with our parents, siblings, aunts/uncles, grandparents, etc. Imagine an album or wall art of images from the that special person baking cookies, fishing, or when you took your first childhood bike ride. What would you give to hold that moment in your hands or see your precious memories displayed prominently on your walls? Remember, this style of imagery isn't limited to studios. We'll meet you at a park or will come to your home. Maybe a “Day in the Life” session - a days’ worth of intimate moments taken in your home with your family and relatives, such as: baking, backyard fund, crafts, sports, parties, Proms, get-togethers, and a new arrival in your home. All kept in a premium album or hung on your wall!
For more information on selecting a photographer and avoiding common mistakes, please check out this blog post: https://www.arthurellisphotography.com/post/7-critical-mistakes-to-avoid-when-selecting-your-family-photographer
You got this!
Arthur Ellis is a published portrait photographer in Charleston, SC, and specializes in revealing the beauty in every woman. His passion is to give lasting memories. Your satisfaction is his guarantee, and your timeless memories is his promise. He can be contacted through his website at: https://www.arthurellisphotography.com/
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