Print-it is worth it.
I have many, many photo albums. Not the kind that are digitally created, but the kind from years ago. The kind that had a "film" that somewhat stuck to the actual paper prints to keep them in place in the album. And, yes, you had to print 4x6's from your negatives. All I had when I was growing up was film cameras with 12-36 exposure rolls. When I was finished photographing, I went to the camera store and had them develop the negatives into small prints. Those prints went into all the albums that I still have today.
Why is printing your negatives worth it?
If you are even a bit nostalgic, you enjoy looking back-back to moments, memories, and events that happened in your past. When you see a print or image, what is called to mind? Do you dissect the particulars of what is in the image, or do you laugh, cry, or re tell the story? Most of the time, we re tell the story. Whether it is sad or happy. Viewing a print and holding it in your hand calls to mind the MEMORY of the people and things you see, not the technical stuff. So, for that reason, it is worth it.
It leads to a better connection with your loved ones.
When you read a book with your child, you are telling a story. When you look at an album full of beautiful imagery of your family, you are re telling the story of what you see. Your heart is reminded of the beautiful experience you shared with your family. And, that leads to a better connection with each other.
It is sharing history.
Having a tangible print is a part of your history! It is like a document that showcases people and things of your past that can be retold to future generations. When my kids were young, I made sure I had an album for each of my children up to the age of 5. In those albums, they will find cards, newspaper clippings, and most importantly, prints of them and their family so one day, if they want them, they can look back and re live a little bit of their childhood. For me, it is all about sharing these albums with them as we sit side by side and I re tell the story of how they were born, why we did what we did, and anything else that comes up while we look at those prints. For my grandchildren, it is an opportunity to show them just how their dad looked when he was a baby.
As you can see, thse two albums of my first and second daughters are well worn.
As are the albums of my third and fourth children!
My first two children, Carissa and Jessica, who live on opposite ends of the country were both born in a hospital. My third and fourth children, Ethan, who lives here in Illinois and Esther, who lives about six hours away, were born at home. And, yes, the pictures you see on their albums are them as babies.
0 Comments