Why do you want the Almighty Digital Files? |

I hear this all the time…”How much for a disc of pictures?” or “Do you sell the digital files?” Actually yes, I do sell the digital files, but let me ask you this, why is this the only thing you ask right away? The reason I am asking you this is because I have an album from my grandfather that dates back to his WWII days…I treasure it. It is something tangible of him that I can hold in my hands and reminisce the stories he would tell me. In comparison to today, my husband, a U.S. Marine, doesn’t have an album like this, all of this pictures from deployments are sitting on a hard drive on his laptop. Now, considering how I feel about having a tangible album and things like that I will someday get my hands on those pictures and make an album, but for many people their pictures will continue to just sit on a hard drive or a disc on the shelf collecting dust.

I also get why you would want a disc or thumb drive of all of your pictures, you want to make sure you have them for memories, scrap booking (I do this too), and just general archiving, but wouldn’t it be nice to have someone make that album or wall piece for you? It’s less work for you, with way more benefits. Your children and other family members down the road will thank you for this. My daughter, only 6 years old already shows appreciation for all of the pictures and albums I have from her infant and toddler years. It gives us an opportunity to sit down together and talk about the memories I have and the funny stories about her. I love these moments; it’s a chance to connect, a chance to be together…not in front of a screen.

Just some food for thought. Next time you are looking for a photographer to capture a moment in your life, and those special relationships…instead of jumping straight to the “How much for the disc?” and “Do you sell the digital files?” questions, tell them about why you are wanting photos right now (what makes right now special) and what do they offer that can help cement those memories and relationships? You will be surprised by how happy they are to help. Also, think about Lifestyle sessions…these are so great. The photographers usually come to your home to do the portraits, capturing you in your true element.

I love all of the photographs from my Grandpa’s album. He was quite the character, full of stories, and his laugh…oh his laugh. As I look through this album, not only do I wish I had known him during his hay day but I hear his special laugh, I see him sitting at the dining room table, stealing tastes of my Grandma’s homemade treats, and telling me that he’s just ‘testing’ them. I see this classy, strong, Italian man and wish so much that he was still here. Having this treasure of an album is simply priceless.