5 Reasons Why You Should Always Print Through Your Photographer

Before I became a family photographer, I always valued beautiful photos of my family. What I didn’t understand though was why in the world I should print my photos through my family photographer. No one ever talked about the difference between printing through them and Walmart, so I didn’t have a good understanding of what was better about it. Printing was always an afterthought as well. I would get the beautiful images and then realize….oh, yah. I need to DO something with them. Since I’m now a family photographer and understand this side, I’m going to share 5 reasons why you should always print through your photographer. 

5 Reasons You Should Always Print Through Your Photographer (Sorry Walmart, You Suck)

#1 Unique Products You Can’t Get At a Consumer Lab

Photographers work with small labs that solely focus on printing. They don’t sell a million other things which means they know what they’re doing. These labs only work with professional photographers, so the products I offer aren’t things you can go buy on your own. What is super cool about this is how unique products are. They may be things you’ve never seen before like hand-torn edges on prints, fine art paper, leather album covers, or folio boxes with matted prints.

Products are very customizable from the photo cut-out of the album to a choice of linen or leather cover. I can create and suggest products that are 100% unique to you and your photos. 

#2 Better Color

This is one of the biggest reasons you should print through a professional photographer. Have you ever gotten prints done on your own and they look way different than they did on your screen? That’s because every print lab is different. Consumer labs like Walmart, CVS, Shutterfly, etc. use different color profiles that can’t match what you see on your screen. When you get photos printed, they may come out darker, muddier, or blurry compared to the actual photo. 

I do test prints with each lab I work with to make sure that the color, brightness, and contrast matches what you see on your screen. I match the actual print with my screen and make adjustments as needed. Naturally, prints may look a little darker or different on paper because computer and phone screens are backlit. However, the colors will more closely match the digital image. These print labs use the best printers and this is literally all they do. And they’re good at it! I look over each print to make sure the color is perfect before delivering it to you. This ensures your photos will look amazing on your walls! 

#3 It Doesn’t Leave You With Homework

No one likes homework. Ever. Don’t let a photographer leave you with homework. Many people assume they just need the digitals. That’s the world we live in after all. However, when you just get the digitals it leaves you with some major homework, especially if you don’t think about what you’re going to do with the digitals until you receive them. Then busy mama life gets in the way and all your hard work preparing for your session doesn’t mean quite as much. 

Printing through me takes the homework off your plate. Doesn’t it feel good to get things crossed off the list? When we meet for your viewing and ordering appointment after your session, I take care of the ordering, checking quality, and delivering your photos to you. You don’t have to worry about trying to figure out where to print them, how to print them, uploading them, or worrying if they’re going to turn out good. That’s my job! 

#4 Quality

As I get older, I realize how important it is to spend a little more on quality. In my 20s, I tried to get the cheapest things possible and quickly realized you get what you pay for. I would end up buying the same things multiple times before realizing I needed to spend a little more and get something that will last. Don’t be like me. Buy quality products from the start and you will never have to worry about replacing them. A one-time investment that will last a lifetime is worth it. 

Once you hold, touch, and see the albums, canvases, frames, and prints in your hand you will realize how much better quality they are. They are made better and made to last. This is so important when we think about passing our photos down to our kids someday. We want to give them something that will stand the test of time, not fall apart or warp in a year. 

#5 Customer Service 

When you print through a consumer lab like Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Shutterfly, Costco, etc. they could care less what your photos turn out like. A huge benefit of printing through me is I guarantee the quality of your photos. If something doesn’t look right, I will replace it at no cost to you. If your canvas starts yellowing or fading at any point, I will replace it. That’s how good these products are! The labs I work with strongly stand behind the quality of their products. #worthit

I hope this post helped explain some of the main differences between printing through your photographer and printing on your own through a consumer lab. They are WAY different and not enough photographers talk about it. I can see how a family wouldn’t see beyond the higher cost if no one ever takes the time to explain the difference. So yes, they cost more. But it’s so worth it for your memories to be printed beautifully on quality products that will last. 

So to sum it up, print through your photographer!

The best part is you’ll get to see the quality at your viewing and ordering appointment. It will be your “aha” moment when you understand exactly what I’m talking about. 

Questions? Want to learn more about unique products for your photos? Contact me here!