Why you should buy prints and a wedding album of your photos

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acrylic cover wedding sample album

With the digital media age, you might wonder why you should get prints of your photos or a wedding album.

Is saving your photos in the cloud or sharing them on social media sufficient?

Although digital photos are convenient and easy to share, there are many good reasons to buy prints and a wedding album.

Prints and albums offer a unique way to celebrate your special day, from preserving your memories to enhancing your home decor.

Let’s explore why these tangible memories are an investment you’ll want to make.

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Why you should get prints

The physical connection

One of the best things about wedding albums and prints is the physical connection they allow.

There’s something about holding an actual photo or turning the pages of an album that gives you a sense of nostalgia and intimacy that digital photos simply can’t.

Here’s why that’s important and why you should get prints:

Emotional experience: Looking at a photo album with your partner, family, or friends lets you relive your wedding day. The tangibility of holding a photograph in your hand reinforces the emotional connection with the moment.

Sensory experience: The feel and weight of high-quality photograph paper or a well-bound album give your memories a tangible, memorable quality.

Shared experience: Physical prints give shared experiences. You can sit with friends and family members and relive and share experiences as you turn each page.

Read our guide to the perfect wedding album.

A couple in formal attire holds hands, with the woman's focus on placing a ring on the man's finger.
Wedding album with pages spread: An open wedding photo album lies on a wooden surface, displaying various images of a couple in traditional attire partaking in cultural wedding rituals.

Longevity and preservation

Digital images are subject to technological obsolescence and failure.

Hard drives fail, file formats become outdated, and cloud storage can be breached.

On the other hand, printed photographs and albums, if well-maintained, will last for generations.

This is why you should get prints and an album:

Durability: Albums and prints of good quality must endure a lifetime. They do not deteriorate, become damaged, or go out of style.

Family heirloom: The wedding album is a cherished heirloom; you can hand it down to the next generation, and your kids and grandchildren can witness the story of how you fell in love.

Peace of mind: Having your wedding photos in tangible form gives you a sense of security. You know they are protected and accessible.

Storytelling and narrative

Wedding albums aren’t just photobooks; they are intentional and thoughtful stories that recount the narrative of your wedding day.

Though computer galleries can have hundreds of images, they do not provide the narrative continuity of an album.

This is why albums tell stories better:

Chronological order: Albums are meant to tell a story from beginning to end, documenting the unfolding of your wedding day—from getting ready to the ceremony, reception, and beyond.

Highlighting the highlights: A well-curated album will bring the highlights to the forefront, so your memories are arranged to convey the mood of the day and draw attention to them.

Personal touch: With a personally designed layout and design elements, you can create an album as individual as you are, making it a unique keepsake.

Edinburgh wedding photographer wedding albums-1000
Framed photograph depicting a couple standing in a dense forest surrounded by tall trees.

Enhancing home decor

Photo albums and printed photographs bring a personal touch to home decoration, and your home radiates your love and happiness.

Here’s why you ought to get prints to decorate your home:

Customised look: Choose frames and albums that blend with your home decor, creating a cohesive and stylish look that enhances your home.

Eye appeal: Wedding photo or print gallery walls bring warmth and character to your home, reminding you every day of your love and commitment.

Icebreaker questions: Showing your wedding pictures invites guests to ask about your wedding day, breaks the ice, and invites memories to be exchanged.

Privacy and security

While digital images are easy to share online, they also expose your moments to potential misuse or unauthorised sharing.

Prints and albums offer privacy and security that digital images cannot.

Here’s why that’s important and why you should get prints:

Protected memories: Printed photos are immune to hacking or digital theft, providing a secure way to preserve your memories.

Controlled sharing: Physical photos let you control who sees and enjoys your images, keeping intimate moments personal.

photographic prints, Wall Art and Thank-you Cards
Main Hall newlyweds cut the cake with a sword on a 'Why you should get prints article'

The creative process

Working with a professional photographer to create prints and a wedding album can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Here’s how the process enhances your wedding memories and why you should get prints:

Artistic expression: The design process allows you to incorporate meaningful details we photograph, such as jewellery, shoes, and your wedding cake, adding a personal touch to your album.

Professional expertise: Photographers offer valuable insights on selecting the best images and designing layouts that showcase your photos in the best light.

Collaborative experience: Selecting images for your album encourages you to focus on the moments that matter most, creating a shared experience with your partner.

Frequent revisitation

Unlike digital files, which can become lost in the sheer volume of data we accumulate, physical prints and albums encourage frequent revisitation.

Here’s why that matters and why you should get prints:

Digital overwhelm: In the age of digital overload, it’s easy for photos to become buried and forgotten. Prints and albums ensure that your wedding memories remain front and centre.

Ease of access: A wedding album on your coffee table invites you to relive those moments regularly, keeping the memories fresh and vibrant.

A person with a watch is holding open a photo album displaying two cityscape images, next to a white coffee mug on a wooden table.
Why you should get prints article - photo of a wedding album

Supporting local artists

Investing in prints and a wedding album supports local photographers and print shops, sustaining the artistry and craftsmanship of professionals dedicated to preserving memories.

Here’s how your support makes a difference and why you should get prints:

Community engagement: By choosing local suppliers here in Scotland, you contribute to our community’s economy and support small businesses.

Sustaining artistry: Your investment helps photographers and print shops continue their work, providing future couples with the same opportunity to preserve their love stories.

Why you should get prints: a lasting legacy

In conclusion, getting prints and a wedding album is an investment in the longevity and quality of your wedding memories.

While digital images offer convenience, they lack the tangible, emotional connection that physical prints provide.

From preserving your memories to enhancing your home decor, prints and albums offer numerous benefits that enrich your life and strengthen your relationships. By printing your wedding photos, you’re embracing a tradition that honours the significance of your wedding day, creating a legacy that you and your loved ones will cherish for generations to come.

So, now you understand why you should get prints and an album. Take the step to transform your digital files into beautiful, lasting treasures that celebrate your love story.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a grey suit walk hand in hand on a garden path, smiling at each other. The bride holds a bouquet of flowers.
 

Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Prints & Albums

Why you should get prints of your wedding photos instead of just keeping them digital?

The main reason why you should get prints is to ensure the longevity of your memories. While USBs and cloud storage can become corrupted or obsolete, a physical print is a permanent heirloom. High-quality prints let you enjoy your wedding day every day as part of your home décor, rather than leaving the images forgotten in a digital folder. When we capture your day at grand locations like Mar Hall, the scale and detail of the architecture are best appreciated in a large-format physical print.

Is it worth buying a professional wedding album through my photographer?

Yes. Professional wedding albums use archival-grade paper and inks that are not available on the high street. This ensures that the colours don’t fade over time. As a Scottish wedding photographer and videographer, we curate your album to tell a cohesive story of your day, ensuring the flow of the narrative—from the morning preparations to the first dance—is preserved perfectly for future generations.

What is the difference between professional lab prints and high-street printing?

High-street printers are often calibrated for snapshots rather than professional-grade wedding photography. Professional labs offer superior colour accuracy, deeper blacks, and a range of luxury finishes, such as Lustre or Fine Art Giclée. Whether you are printing images from an atmospheric castle wedding in Scotland or a bright, modern celebration, professional printing ensures the skin tones and lighting look exactly as the photographer intended.

Can I order prints and albums after my wedding?

Absolutely. Many of our couples choose to focus on their photography and film packages before the wedding and decide on prints after seeing their final gallery. We keep your high-resolution files archived so that you can order bespoke wall art or albums on your first anniversary or whenever you are ready to decorate your home.

How do I choose which wedding photos to print for my home?

We recommend choosing a mix of “hero” shots—wide-angle portraits that show off your venue—and intimate candid moments. If you are struggling to choose, you can contact us for a consultation. We can help you design a layout that complements your interior design, ensuring your wedding memories become a timeless feature of your living space.

Let’s chat about prints & Albums

We are Claire and Jonathon, wedding photographers in Edinburgh with over 700 weddings of experience. We’d love to have a chat about why you should get prints and an album, and we would be honoured to hear from you.

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