Just The USB Please
Every time someone contacts me about pictures, one of the first things they ask is how much it costs to get the USB. I get it. I really do. The USB is amazing because you have all of the pictures, you can print any time you want and you can upload them anytime you want. Question: How many of you actually print pictures after you take that USB home? How many of you have one or more of them laying around in some drawer somewhere and they haven't seen the light of day since you threw them in there? The majority of people that get a USB do not print pictures. Some people don't even know where that USB is anymore. The most that was done with that USB was posting pictures on Facebook or some other social media platform. What is the point of that? I want my clients to have beautiful pictures in frames, albums or on their walls. That is the point of pictures. To be seen, remembered and cherished.
I know that there are situations where the USB is just the best option. That's totally fine. Everyone's situation is unique and I can consult with you to figure out which option would be best for you. I do want to make sure that everyone understands their options. My clients can buy extra digital images for ten dollars each, they can buy prints and they can buy the USB. For example: A client buys a package that includes ten images. When they proof their images they decide they like twelve. It's much cheaper for this client to buy the two extra digital images instead of the USB. Another option that this client would have would be to buy prints of the images. Clients get the digital download for any image they buy a print of. Of course, they could also buy the USB. I know you may not believe it, but depending on what print sizes you want, prints will often be the cheaper option.
I have had a few people ask about discs. Discs have become almost obsolete and I don't use them. Many computers are not even made to have disc drives anymore. Think of that person that bought a disc for their pictures back when they were the big thing, never got any prints made and threw that disc in a drawer. They said they would print pictures later. Now that person has decided they want some prints. By now they have changed computers a few times and the current computer has no disc drive. That disc is now useless. Unless they take the time to find someone that has a computer with a disc drive, or takes it to a store that has a machine that has a disc drive...they aren't getting any pictures printed. Let's be honest. How many of those people in that situation are going to be proactive enough to hunt down a disc drive to get prints made? Technology is constantly changing and evolving. This is something we need to keep in mind. Do not rely on one method to keep your pictures safe. That person that only buys a USB and then never gets prints or downloads them to the computer, will be completely out of luck if the USB goes out of style. If you buy prints, you get the download to go with it. Once you have the downloads, you can make your own USB.
There is one more thing I want to touch on real quick. There are those that have said, "I can just download the picture from Facebook and print it that way". Well, you could. There is a problem with that though. When you upload a picture to Facebook, they compress it. This changes the quality and detail of the picture. If you try to print this picture, it is not going to look like it did before or the way it was meant to. It will be especially noticeable if you want a larger print. By all means, if you have no other way to print a picture, you can try it. Just know that the end product will not be the amazing, sharp, beautiful picture it was supposed to be.
To sum things up: The bottom line is that I prefer for my clients to buy prints. I feel like this is the option that is best for my clients. I want my clients to see their pictures when they walk through their house and to gift pictures to their friends and family. I know that money is often a factor when it comes to pictures, but that's why I offer payment plans. I can sit down with you to discuss your situation and what goals you have for your pictures. Together we can decide which option fits your situation the best.
