Growing up, I remember going through a couple of albums over and over again, listening to the stories behind every snap and also recalling the ones of which I’m a part. This was something that I have always enjoyed doing and when I visit family- I will still look for our childhood album! I especially wished my parents had more photos of themselves! I love seeing photos because there is always a story behind them. There is nothing like holding those images in your hands! And now that I’m a photographer by profession, my appreciation for printed photographs and thick photo albums has intensified!

Printed photographs? I know what you’re thinking: “Why would I want to have my photos printed? They’re already online and ready for me to view.” Well, let me tell you why.

You will not lose your photos

I’m not saying that digital photos are any less charming than printed photos, but the thing about them is they’re subject to data loss and can’t easily be restored when that happens. You see, even if you have access to high technology, they are still vulnerable to breaches and malware that might cause your computer or external storage to malfunction. It’s not exactly a risk we want to take with photos that we want to cherish forever! Again, nothing beats having those beautiful photos printed out, in your hand, or on your wall.

You can look at them whenever you want

You can look at your wedding and family portraits whenever you want without worrying about exposing yourself to blue light technology or having to search through folders on your computer. You won’t need electricity when you feel like you want to look back on your special day and memories (I know a handful of brides and families who are conscious about their hours in front of blue light screens). I am typically in front of my photo and behind a screen for a good portion of the day so looking through my own photo albums is a treat for me also!

Sometimes you may just want to look at your photos but don’t want to open social media or your device to do so. Having them printed will surely give you limitless time and opportunity to go through them whenever you feel like it!

They are Tangible

There’s a visceral pleasure in touching your photos and having them touch you back. They can also be tactile: their surface is smooth and sometimes textured against your hand. And they aren’t just physical things: they’re also emotional ones; they evoke memories of happy times spent with your loved ones—there’s something about having those photos in your hand that makes you feel more connected to your memories of that day!

You can display them

There will be moments when you’re sitting in your office and it just feels like you need that little extra boost to get through the day. And that boost might just be that framed wedding or family portrait you have on your desk. It might sound cheesy, but it really does the job! That’s the reason why I have my portraits displayed in my office along with some photos of my girls! It makes my heart happy!

They Can be a Great Ice Breaker

When you visit a friend’s or relative’s house and you’re seated in the receiving area, your first instinct might be to reach for the albums under the coffee table to admire or talk about the photos. It’s a great conversation starter and a great way to reminisce about your memories with your loved ones! I personally will put out my photo albums because I just cherish the memories so much!

You can keep them for generations to come

I’ve always imagined myself growing old and presenting my future grandchildren with my wedding album and telling them stories about what happened that day. That is something I already do with my daughters, especially on anniversaries and birthdays! The point is that your wedding photos are not only for you but also for future generations who may be inspired by looking at them!

Printing your wedding and family portraits is a terrific investment, and having a physical representation of your memories is one of the finest ways to appreciate them. That is how it is with me! We hope this guide inspired you to print your own wedding and family portraits!