Digital Photos Packages vs. Paper Print Packages, which is best for you?

I have had quite a few clients ask this question about what packages they should get.  Back before digital there wasn’t a question since paper prints were the only way to go.  Now with the digital camera images it opens a whole new way of viewing your photographic memories.

Most people think that digital packages are the best for them because they get all their photos on CD and get to print them on their own and have a better choice in photos and they can pick them at their leisure.  In reality most of the CDs are only a viewed a few times and then put away on the shelf and they never get any pictures printed for friends and family to put up in their homes or offices.  Now I have suggested to some people going this route is that I will add in to the price of the package a 15 inch digital picture frame that they can hang, put up on a table, or desk and have the ability to give their family and friends and great slide show presentation.  Some of the pictures frames even have email and wireless capabilities where I can email new photos from their photo sessions directly to their digital picture frames.

Now the paper print packages are good for some people who want something tangible to hold and look at.  I know some grandparents who don’t want to have to look at their grandkids faces on the computer or TV, they want something to hold in their hands and show their friends.  We at Crane Studio Imaging outsource all our lab work to professional lab that goes through every picture we send them by hand to make sure all the colors are going to as vibrant as on the day they were taken.  Your local kiosk, Wal-Mart, or Costco does not do this.  They have computer software that can do enhancing on the prints but it is hit and miss but a live person taking the time to do it makes sure it is correct.  These labs can also print on metallic paper which really makes outdoor photos pop out of the photograph.  If you have not seen a metallic photo I can show you several samples during the session so you know what type of paper you want for your print. 

Print prices from photographers are more expensive than your local print your own places but you have to consider your paying for the time, copyright,  and expertise to deliver a perfect photo from the photographers to their pro lab and finally a masterpiece for your wall or desk.  Photographers spend more time processing your photos for your viewing than they spend photographing your session so their work does not end when they zip up the camera bag and go home because the next step of pre and post processing is where they take that raw photo and turn it into a work of art.  I will be doing another article about the work flow of a photographer in my next blog so stay tuned.

I have had several people who have purchased digital packages that have come back to their albums online and purchase prints from their session because the sample quality that I showed them in some demo prints of their session did not come close to what they had gotten done locally.  This is the primary reason why we retained the print packages instead of going to all digital photo package formats.

So if you are looking for senior, portrait, headshots, or weddings look no farther.  You can send me a direct email to l...@cranestudioimaging.com.