3 Ways to Print Photos | Northern Virginia Photography Studio
Now that you’ve taken the time to get your portraits taken, you can finally enjoy the finished product! Many clients ask how to get the best prints possible, and the answer is simple. Working with your photographer is the best way to get color-accurate, high-quality prints to enjoy for years to come.
To start, my computer is calibrated to the labs I print from. What does that mean? Well, the color on my screen is exactly how the photo will print. Your skin tones, outfits, and everything else will print with the correct colors. If you print elsewhere, you may end up with funky colors, incorrect exposure, and more. My labs also offer archival prints, which means your photos will last 50, 100, even 150+ years! These are truly heirloom pieces meant to be passed down for generations to come.
Now that you know a little bit more about why printing through your photographer will give you the best results, here are three ways to print your photos.
1. Pass them down for generations with an heirloom album.
Albums are ideal for storytellers. If you want to keep your memories within reach, on a coffee table or bookshelf, this one might be for you. They hold your favorite images from a session, forever telling the story of your family at that unique time. We start with 20 images, but some families choose to add more.
They are handcrafted lay-flat, flush mount albums include ultra-thick pages, archival paper and your choice of a luxury linen or leather. Because they are archival quality, they are designed to last much longer than the average album you could DIY. I also design it for you, ensuring everything is perfect. You don’t have to worry about print sizes, bleed lines, trimmed edges, making sure the images are sized appropriately, or any other “nitty gritty” details of professional album design.
Album details
Together, we’ll go through the design and finalize it together until the design is just right. Families who choose an album often remark on just how much time they save. There are so many steps that go into making sure your album comes to life, and I would love to take all of them off your plate. Instead of spending hours designing on your own, you’ll simply spend 20-30 minutes with me finalizing the design and picking your cover materials. That’s it! Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your album with your family, cherishing those special memories you made together.
You can choose from the following sizes: 8 x 8, 10 x 10 or 8 x 10 to make it your own. In addition, you can further personalize the cover with either a cameo photo or custom debossing. With gold or silver foil options, or timeless leather covers, there is a beautiful option waiting for you.
2. View them every day in your home with custom-framed wall art.
What would it feel like to know your children walk past cherished family memories each and every day? When they’re little, they may point as you carry them by, saying mama or daddy. As they grow older and no longer need to be carried, they’ll get a self-esteem boost seeing your happy family memories.
Framed fine art prints are a beautiful way to display your favorite moments from our time together. Choose from a variety of sizes, including custom ones, to make sure your professionally framed prints are the perfect fit for your home. We’ll even design it using a photo of your home and furniture measurements so you can avoid the dreaded guessing game of which size works best.
Take the stress out of framing prints
When ordering, I guide you every step of the way. We go by print size, adding a mat and then the frame based on your style preferences. Matching it to your home aesthetic is super important, as I want your memories to be a true work of art. You can choose from hardwood frames and contemporary frames in a variety of widths and styles. You can even add hand-torn deckled edges if you want a truly unique look.
If you’re seeking a gallery wall, this service is especially worth it. It can be so difficult to determine what size frames to get, which photos to print (and which ones go where), visualize the final gallery, and actually print and frame each individual piece. Once that’s done, you have to hope everything is correct! If any mistakes were made during one of those steps, it could mess up the entire gallery wall.
As you can imagine, all of these steps often prevent those with the best intentions of getting to a gallery wall. It’s simply too challenging to find time to get it done in your busy lives.
With this service, you can cut out all of that work! I’ll show you exactly what the gallery wall looks like in your home. We’ll swap photos in and out until it’s perfect, all the while giving my professional opinion on what I recommend. Let me take care of this part so you can make the most out of your family photos.
3. Display them in a gold keepsake box.
This is a simple and sweet way to view your favorite moments. The gold keepsake box includes a full set of prints (up to 100) so you can enjoy the full story of your portrait session. The prints are sized 4×6, so you can easily take them out to share with family members and guests.
If these prints and heirlooms resonate with you, I would love to connect! You can learn more about my custom portrait sessions here. If you’re ready to inquire, you can send a note in my contact form here.
P.S. If you’re one of my clients, it’s not too late to print your photos! You can always come back and place an order. Simply email info@emilyalyssa.com or fill out that contact form above to get started!
Emily Alyssa Photography is a family photographer serving Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland. She also offers maternity and newborn photography, and engagement and couples photography. Her film photography style is described as timeless, elegant, and true-to-life. Her luxurious portrait experience includes a client closet of dresses, personalized wardrobe styling, and heirloom prints.