Print. The Movement
Don’t Lose Your Valuable Memories. PRINT. The Movement.
The 21st century has created a problem for photography - most people no longer print their family photos! It's common to hear about a lost phone, hard drive, or online storage failure causing the loss of family memories. It's up to professional photographers to change this by encouraging printing! Clients still value printed family photos. Photographers just need to build a relationship and recommend how printed photography can be used!
We Have Entered the Era of the Photographic Lost Generation
We are taking photos more than ever, but they’re nearly all digital files with very few tangible prints being produced. By now we know that digital never means safe, yet millions of memories are currently being entrusted to servers, clouds and phones. The risk could be felt by our entire generation, as we grow up without a printed, photographic record of our lives. The most photographed generation of all time could wind up being the next Lost Generation.
The Need for a Movement
It’s not just affecting today’s youth. 42% of people between the ages of 30 and 44 will likely look back and wonder where photos of their childhood, holiday get-togethers, relatives and friends have gone decades from now1, and, reportedly, 67% store their photos solely on a computer or phone. Statistics show that a staggering 53% of consumers have not printed a photo in more than 12 months, 70% don’t have photo albums, and 42% no longer print photos at all.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We know that everything from candles, bicycles and vinyl albums have survived the “disruption” caused by technological advancements. We have to remember the value and importance of printed, framed, and mounted photographs in our lives and for the generations after us. Children love to see images of themselves around the house, newlyweds have fond moments when they see their wedding photo on the mantle or walls, and our most beloved pets are sealed in time…all thanks to the power of print.
Print. The Movement
That’s why PPA, along with leading photography industry partners, has created PRINT. The Movement. The movement’s mission is to educate photographers and consumers alike on the value and importance of printed photographs. For consumers, it’s an awareness campaign designed to help consumers see the value in showcasing and preserving their lives or their families’ lives with high-quality prints, albums, and all types of displays from professional photographers and photographic suppliers. For photographers, it’s a chance to show their community and their clients that they know what it takes to create a finished product that speaks much louder than a digital file and that will withstand the test of time.
Some of the partners backing this initiative are: Canon, Canson, Chromaluxe, GW Moulding, Hahnemuhle, Kodak Alaris, Professional Photographers of America, and Alkit Pro Lab.
Be More Proactive
How can you ensure your memories last for generations? PPA photographers spend endless amounts of time and effort perfecting their craft and working harmoniously with their clients. When you need a photographer for that special day or special time in your lives, finding the right one can make all the difference. Once you find him or her, then it’s time to find out about their expertise with print art. Here’s a few questions to guide you through: Does the photographer offer print art? Does the photographer have examples of their print art you can review? Does the photographer use quality paper? Can the photographer offer quality options within your price range? Can the photographer show you how the art would look in your very own home?
If you do the right research, you’ll be glad you made the effort. The perfect photographer will also be glad that you are interested in quality work and print art. Together, you and your photographer can create beautiful pieces for your home and for your family.
2015 nationwide survey conducted by Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
