I have been thinking about this blog entry for a long time. It's something that runs deep in my soul and a huge part of my existence and being. Anyone that knows me, knows that I am not the most eloquent writer. So here I am stepping on my soap box, but I feel like I need to say this. (I may be a long winded so please bare with me.)
I will forever cherish the prints I have tucked away in boxes, stuffed in albums and hanging on my walls. While they remind me of childhood memories of all the kids playing in the playhouse that my Dad built to the one of my Dad and I dancing while I so desperately wanted to freeze that moment in time and in my mind knowing that he was sick and that for me regardless that it was special and so meaningful. (These photos currently hang on a wall next to my computer as I type) along with photos of me and sister playing on a swing set as young girls mixed in with photos of my wedding day and some of my favorite candids of my sidekick when he was just days old to remind me of the faces he made then are still so apparent in the faces he makes today ~ 4 yrs later. These photos remind me of happy times, sad times, and often bring up emotions that make me smile, laugh and even cry. But that's why I have them. Printed. Tucked away in boxes, stuffed in albums, and hanging on my walls.
My mama heart wanted to remember how since day 1 of his life to now, 4 yrs later he finds comfort in holding tight to my ear. For a little while longer this will bring him a simple peace. Photo Credit : Berryessa Photography
I understand that we live in a digital world and I understand people WANT digital files. And I sell them. But it’s not the focus of my business. And why? It’s because you can’t hang a digital file on the wall in your home to be admired by everyone that visits or lives in the walls of your home. And I have heard too many people say they put the disc in the drawer and never printed any of the images. This truly breaks my heart. Your child, and grandchildren may not even be able to SEE the digital files. Remember 8 track tapes, film slides, floppy discs, and any other outdated technology? Who has a floppy disc drive on their computer right now? (This is the format my H.S Senior photos were in. And I'm not even that old. ) Do you have a VCR in your home to watch old home movies? What about a projector to watch your grandparents’ home movies? Even our cells phones change, crash and die. I don’t want my son or grandchildren to say “Where are all the photos of me and my adventures?" or "If only grandma and grandpa had printed these for us to see!”
Now, I know may go a little overboard but I have a collection of albums that hold childhood photos of mine, to wedding, to many photos of Blake and family moments. (each holds 600 4x6 images and are nice and simple and black and available at Costco.) I have pulled them out overtime and am taken back to the feeling I felt when I saw my husband for the first time, to family vacations on the coast and how much fun was had celebrating fathers day with quad riding in the dunes, making a bonfire on the beach and roasting hot dogs surrounded by family to the moments I want to tuck way in my heart FOREVER. (and let me add this..even though some of these were a CELL phone pic I still printed it. ) I am romanticizing this a little. Let’s face it, the quality of the prints from our grandparents/parents’ day aren’t that great. But we have them. In our HANDS, able to touch them and bring them back to life in story. Digital files are a fabulous way to archive your prints. But a digital file will never, ever replace an actual photographic print in my book.
And because a post without a picture is just silly – here are some of my faves. EVER!!! Now, wouldn’t it be a shame if this never got printed?
And just a little humorous clip.