Life is precious and fleeting and now more than ever we realize just how important it is. Memories that matter and bring us joy, need to be brought to life. So, what happens when we grow up in a society of picture takers but not photo printers? We get a disconnect. Photo printing brings those moments back into our lives and they are tangible and easily accessible. They are shared when printed.
One of my favorite things to do at my in laws house is to look at all the childhood photos lining the staircase. Seeing my husband and his siblings at the same age my kids are now. And knowing that they've been hanging there for decades.
The power of print is especially important for children. When children see photos of themselves and their families displayed in their home, it gives them security and a sense of belonging.
So what happens when we don’t print? We make it difficult for children to enjoy the memories that make up their small world, they do not have access to their own fond moments. Most of them are not able to access the computer or our phones to look at the digital images whenever they feel like it. One of my daughter's favorite things to do recently is flip through all the videos and photos on my phone. She will watch the same video from 10 years ago over and over again.
We have a responsibility to print our photos, not only for our children but for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well. My grandma has a whole wall of framed photos in her apartment. It's like a collage of our family history and it makes me feel like part of something bigger than myself. All the people who came before me and lived full and vibrant lives. I want that feeling for my children too!
There is a well-known study called Phototherapy in Mental Health authored by David A. Krauss and Jerry L. Fryrear. Within its pages, David Krauss, a licensed psychologist, says “I think it is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit. A photographer’s job is to create and make the image look like a safe holding space for kids where they are safe and protected. Kids get it on a really simple level.” Reread that quote. It’s such a powerful statement.
It doesn’t just have to be photos either, think of creating a photo book of your session. For my daughter's birthday each year, I take photos of each family unit that comes to her party and I print them into an album for her. She will randomly pull the album out and start flipping through it on her own. By 18 months old she could identify each person in the album and who they belonged with.
Keep in mind, there is no better time to start than right now. Spoil your children with prints of themselves, you’ll never regret it.
You have a few options for products you can get with your portrait session images with me! (Photo Books, Prints, Canvases, etc.)
A photo book is a beautiful tangible way to enjoy your photos. If you opt for a photo book, I will pre-design the layout to save you time and overwhelm and then send it to you to make revisions. You can easily swap out to your favorite images and rearrange the pages for a custom look.
Should you want professional prints through me, you can do so and/or have your family do so through your online gallery. The prints come from well known professional print labs and get shipped right to your house. Super convenient and the best quality you can get!
For larger prints, I also offer canvases and would be happy to add a canvas suggestion folder to your gallery for the ones I think would look best on a wall. Better yet, send me a photo of your wall space and I can mock up what they might look like hanging there above your couch/desk/bed.
What kind of prints or products would you love to have in your home? What special memories do you want to walk past as you get ready each morning? What images will give your family a sense of belonging, security, purpose, and joy?
I'm here to help you make your house a home by adding these special touches.
Tasha Skye Creative is a family and portrait photographer & graphic designer based in Lancaster County, PA. Capturing authentic people in a bright and bold way.
