Snap shots of life are everywhere thanks to the newest cell phones with the extra most bestest cameras. And for every day things these phones do a pretty decent job at it. However there are times when you want to hire a professional photographer to document and create some extra special images of your family. And you really can't wait to display these breathtaking, beautiful, emotion filled images that totally captured your amazing family in this precious moment in time.  You have visions of framed smiles on your wall, gorgeous albums on your coffee table, a canvas in your foyer and maybe something extra delicious over the fire place. You are ready to do some serious redecorating with the faces that love you the most. 

Now at this point, a GOOD photographer will slow you down. Digital files are great for printing extra 5x7's for grandma or wallets to pass out like candy, but for something BIG. You want a professional photographer to help you decorate those walls. And here's why...

90% of all digital files end up taking space in a drawer in your home. Maybe you put them in a special drawer filled with all the disks of your life's precious moments. Of all the digital files hanging out in drawers across america, only a fraction have ever been printed. And if you're never going to print them, what's the point? Why spend all that money on new outfits, perfect hair and a professional photographer? Digital files are meant to be a temporary place to store your portraits. Not a forever home.

When Baby Jackson was a little squirt, Daphne always bought all of his digital files along with his prints. Why? Because that is what you did. And guess what she has them on? A floppy disk. Oh yes. Does she have anything that will read this disk? Do you? No way. How long before the CD disappears? They are already a specialty add on for most desk tops and many laptops now, imagine 18 years from now when you are searching for baby pictures of your high school senior that you didn't print? Technology is always changing and there is always the change of a disk failing. Don't risk it, print them.

At Ellenburg Photography, we LOVE printing. Think long and hard about basing your photographer choices upon getting everything on a disk. You are making an investment in what might not be the best choice for you. Digital files are great if you plan to use a print lab that you know for a fact can reproduce the images exactly like you saw them on the Photographer's Computer when they showed you those gorgeous edited images. If your photographer does sell you digital files, they should also recommend some labs to you. Drug store auto printers are for amateurs. To truly get the BEST images of the faces you love, you should really consider letting your photographer control the printing.  Ellenburg Photography has access to labs that accurately reproduce your images to our high standards. I can assure you that a good professional photographer is so rediculously strict on what they deliver to a client, you'd be surprised how many images don't pass our standards and have to be redone before you get them. Daphne Ellenburg cares about the quality of the images you hang on your wall because her name is on those images, maybe not physically so but that is her life's work up there. She wants your family and friends to be wowed by the gorgeousness of that portrait. You want a photographer with that kind of passion for your walls.

It's easy to find image archives with 200 + year old portraits. That's because, FIRST they were portraits. Leave a legacy that will stand the test of time. Ellenburg photography UV coats all your images so they never fade in the sun. Ellenburg Photography offers archival framing so your photo never reaches the elements. Print your portraits. And if you want digital get digital too - but print them. Daphne Ellenburg gives every client a low res digital file of every image we print for you. 

Daphne Ellenburg is award-winning Newborn and Baby Photographer. She is the owner of a bustling Portrait photography business called Ellenburg Photography located in Southern Alabama. Daphne has a supportive family and a fancy-pants 2000 sq ft studio in the heart of Saraland, Alabama. She loves college football, big handbags, lip gloss and all things Apple. She also enjoys writing about her Photo-Adventures and her entertaining family. Daphne is a proud member of PPA, WPPI, and the local chamber. Catch up with her at EllenburgPhotography.com or email her at daphne@ellenburgphotography.com. 
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