I don't want prints...just digitals
There is a common misconception that because your images are in digital format, there should be no cost to acquire them. After all, they are just digital files that you can easily send, download and then use to print whatever is wanted, right?
Most photographers only offer digital negatives. (files). It is an easy way to capture the beauty in people's lives and offer a way to show families, couples, and seniors just how wonderful they are. Most people will just share on social media for their friends and family to see, or let those images live on a computer. They are used as a screensaver, so every time the computer turns on, a loved one is seen.
Think of it this way, digital negatives (this is what we like to call them) are negatives, just in the digital world. In the film world, you could hold the negatives and you would have to process them in order to actually see a print come to life.
These negatives had to be developed in order to create a finished product. We do the same thing. We develop the digital negatives so that you can have a finished product; whether ordering through us, or through another vendor, or if you just want to share them on social media and that takes time.
They are the ingredients that are in one place to create something else. If you were a baker and selling cookies, would you take the chocolate chips, eggs, flour and baking soda that you purchased and just give it to someone to create their own cookies? Would you give those ingredients away for free after you took the time and spent the money to purchase them? It is similar with digital negatives. As a photographer, I am taking the time to create something beautiful starting with the click of the shutter at the session.
People's time is valuable. Your time is valuable. My time to create, cull, edit, and process digital negatives so they are ready to print is valuable so that is why they are not free.
Of course, we do give away art and negatives for specific reasons, but generally speaking, digital negatives are a product just like a canvas.
Digital negatives are really meant to be printed. Having them and sharing them is great because we live in a digital world, but printing them and having them on display in your home is something so much better.
Have you ever looked at all the delicious food item photos on a menu and just said, " Oh, that hamburger looks so good!"
What if you never ordered anything but just sat and looked at the photos? Would it be the same thing? Satisfying? Would it come alive and be just as tasty? No.
The same thing applies to printing your digital negatives. Studies show that having tangible photos on display in your home increases the emotional connection you have with your loved ones by 65%. Being able to flip through a tangible, heirloom album viewing all your photos will bring to mind all the memories of when the photos were taken and create a deeper connection with your family. Think about snuggling on the couch with your kiddos viewing your session photos- you will laugh, and you might cry because you are developing a deeper connection as you share this time together.
Your children will be given a better sense of belonging, and you will all feel a much deeper love and connection.
You are also preserving your history. Will your children be able to look back and see photos of you and his or her siblings when they are older? Will they be able to touch a physical print and reminisce about each family member? If they do not have a physical, tangible piece, they won't be able to do that.
Computers crash. Phones die and files get corrupted. But, heirloom, archival prints stand the test of time, even if they are stored in a shoebox.
So, we recommend priting your digital negatives so you can connect more, preserve your history, and re live all the moments you shared.
We say, Print. It's worth it!
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