Scroll through your Facebook or Instagram feed and there’s no denying that we love sharing nearly every aspect of our lives on social media. Technology has become perhaps the most prevailing component of our society that it only makes sense why some people have such strong desires for digital files.
I also know, however, that those who book with me possess an even stronger appreciation for pet portraits displayed where they can enjoy them every day, and just to clarify, that’s not within an online gallery that expired years before you remembered to download it or on a USB tucked away in a desk drawer full of odds and ends. (Besides, have you looked in that drawer lately?! Last time I did, I am pretty sure all I found was a bunch of rubber bands, a handful of dead batteries, and a tangle of charging cords to devices from 2004!)
Don’t get me wrong: I’m sure many people want these files with the intention of someday printing their images, but as is often said, “It’s not intentions that matter. It’s action.” For many of us—myself included—it’s too easy to put things off until someday, you know…the day that falls between eventually and sooner or later…the day that just never seems to come. (I mean, take one look at my ever-growing list of five-minute tasks that I repeatedly keep putting off and you’ll see what I’m talking about.)
The Illusion of Digital Convenience
Digital files may seem like the obvious go-to choice, especially in a tech-heavy world that loves to share memories through email and social media, but are they really your best option?
Sure, when it comes to sharing images, there are few things easier than posting a few of your favorites to your social media feeds or blasting them to family and friends via email, but keep in mind that technology is constantly evolving. Ask anyone who’s ever had the misfortune of a hard drive crash or who’s accidentally deleted their digital files and they’ll agree that the only way to truly protect your photos is to print them. Still, I’m often stunned to hear from fellow photographers about the number of galleries full of beautiful images they deliver that never get downloaded!
This reinforces what I’ve known since launching my business back in 2016: despite digital convenience, tangible, archival-quality artwork remains highly valued, a movement I believe will only continue to grow in the future.
The Value of Your Photography Experience
Occasionally during a pre-session consultation, I’ll speak with a potential client who approaches her session with the initial impression that she’ll “just buy the digital images” and the belief that these files are the most affordable and convenient way to enjoy her photos. What she’s not considering, however, is the value.
Value is different than price.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines value as “the worth of something compared to the price paid or asked for it.” Price, on the other hand, is “the amount of money expected, required, or given in payment for something.” Price is literally the monetary amount necessary to purchase a service or product. Value is not defined by a number; rather, it is measured by the degree of usefulness or gratification one receives from a certain commodity or service.
How useful or gratifying is investing in professional pet photography or the full gallery buyout of your digital files if you have no intention of displaying them in some tangible form?
How Will You Tell Your Story?
One of my favorite quotes is that of Michael Howard who said, “Framing a print acknowledges the power of a frozen moment. Out of all the images taken it says, ‘This is worth seeing every day!'”
That means telling your story your way through signature wall art, fine art albums, and other heirloom products.
Creating custom art for your home that you’ll cherish for generations is the culmination of the Bark & Gold Photography experience and our time together this just that: an experience. From your initial inquiry to the final delivery of your products, you have me by your side every step of the way to listen to your individual desires, tailor your pet’s session to his individual needs, and create truly meaningful pieces designed to complement your budget, preferences, space, and décor.
Leaving you on your own to figure out the appropriate sizes, finishes, and placement of your pet’s portraits by providing only digital files? Not part of the game-plan, my friend.
Still Desire Digital Files?
The desire for digital files coincides directly with how you want to preserve your pet’s portraits after your session. If you do find yourself longing for them, I offer several ways to get them depending on your needs.
To provide you with the best of both worlds—physical products and printable high-resolution digital files:
- When you spend $995 or more, the high-resolution digital file of each ordered product image(s) is gifted to you.
- When you purchase any signature collection, fine art album, heirloom folio box, or wall art grouping, you also receive the matching high-resolution digital files of each ordered product image(s).
- When you truly just want to go in an all-digital direction, a full gallery buyout is available.
Just want to share your images virtually with family and friends? Complimentary watermarked social media files that match each ordered product image are also included. While these social media files are not designed for printing, they’re sized just right for sharing. (Trust me, you aren’t going to want to fiddle around with uploading or resizing high-resolution files just to share and you’re definitely not going to want to print anything at its web-sized resolution.)
A successful portrait session is an investment of both time and money, so it’s important to make the right choice for yourself. The Bark & Gold Photography experience is for you if you:
- Value a truly boutique experience made seamless from start to finish.
- Desire natural and expressive portraits that capture the heart of your pet.
- Appreciate heirloom-quality artwork to last for generations.
- Crave responsiveness and clear communication in workflow, processes, design strategies, and client support.
Do you want to learn more about the Bark & Gold Photography experience? Let’s connect today! Choose your adventure below to begin.
Did you enjoy this post? Great, there’s more coming your way because it’s part of a photography blog circle featuring photographers specializing in a variety of niches! To see more content like this and what the next photographer is sharing for our weekly theme, “Digital Files,” check out Amy Tedrow with Believe, Create, Inspire and Amy Tedrow Photography, sharing how you can use digital files from professional photography sessions to market and grow your business. Continue to click the link at the end of each post in the blog circle until you eventually find your way back here.