I'm going to address the elephant in the room...I think I can speak on behalf of most professional photographers when I say we have all had an enquiry that goes something like this:

"Can I please have a price for digital files only, no prints." 

If you have no plans on printing these beautiful images then why are you having these images taken? Or are you hoping to save $40 and print them cheaply yourself? Whatever your reasoning I would like to give you a little bit of an insight into digital files and the reason why they're awesome if delivered and used correctly. We all love them, they're convenient and make sharing your images with family and friends a breeze.  Yes, I offer digital files in my packages because I understand your needs but I also offer a print credit in every single package to ensure that every client walks away with something beautiful to hang on their wall. This is the reason why...

The longevity of digital formats
Just like the film negatives your parents have from many years ago, the digital file of your image could be difficult to view as digital technology progresses. CDs are on the way out, USBs could be next. The other thing to consider is that ALL digital storage devices have a limited lifespan. CDs as an example have a 5 year usable life, after this time the internal material deteriorates and so do the images stored on the disc. Once this has occurred you often cannot retrieve the digital images loaded on the disc so it is a sad farewell to those images unless you have backed them up somewhere. Print what you would like to preserve is the key here.

Printing elsewhere
Cheap online canvas or print deal? It sounds appealing right? I will just print my own and save $40.
Truth be told, often the quality of these online print deals isn’t great, they are mass produced and have zero quality control. If you have digital files from a professional photographer these have often been processed by hand, colour corrected on a calibrated screen to perfection which is part of the reason they look so awesome. Printing at a cheap lab isn’t going to render a high quality result nor will the colours print correctly which brings me back to why would you pay for beautiful portraits then print them as cheaply as possible? Wouldn't you much prefer a nicely finished image on your wall with the crisp detail and a colour palette that doesn't look off? I know of people that opted for cheap prints only to have them de-laminate after a short time which is just a waste.  Sometimes it is best to go with quality, you get what you pay for in most cases.

Professional products
The reason photographers offer professional products is that they want you to enjoy the images you have paid for with lovely products. I promise that it is that simple. We source products that we know you will love, you get to choose something that suits your personal taste to display in your home. We know the different mediums, the sizes and layouts so can help you make choices that will suit your images and the space you are planning to display them. Photographers have been providing framed artwork for decades, just like a builder finishes the job instead of giving you the nails leaving you to do it yourself. It is part of the service.

The cost
Just like any industry, a professional photographer has wholesale suppliers. They get the frames for a slightly reduced rate than the average public which means that if you are thinking of sourcing a professional lab and framer that deals with the public (many I know only deal with wholesale clients) then the price you will pay is often the same as if you just went through your professional photographer in the first place. In the long run, you have just made it much harder for yourself than it needed to be. Simplify it for yourself an utilise the expertise your photographer has and their buying power. You will enjoy your images so much more when you haven't spent hours on end trying to do it all yourself. I know parents are superheroes but honestly, your time is valuable and those beautiful children love having your attention.

Memory preservation
30 years from now when your children are grown up and want to show their children photos of when they were young how do you picture them doing this? For me personally, I have a baby album that my parents bought of my younger years. I have the framed portrait of when I was very small. I have the pixifoto prints they purchased through the years. They did not hand me a box of negatives and ask that I find a way to view these images. This is what I am preaching.

Digital images are awesome for right now. They serve a fantastic purpose right now. They are for 'right now'. They are not for memory preservation and in 30 years from now a hard drive or box of USBs probably won't be of much use to your children. Technology is evolving at a rapid pace. The prints, the framed art and the albums are what you will wish you had to show them. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I can honestly (hand on heart) say that I want to help tell your family's story. I want you to have something amazing to show them when they are older. I want you to be able to relive these early days when your children have grown up and left home. I want you to hold something tangible and be able to love your portraits more 30 years later than the day you chose them in my studio.

The clothes will be outgrown, the toys will break, that fancy stroller will likely be rotting in landfill.
Your prints, your artwork and your albums will still be there.
They become prized possessions.
​
Even more so if tragedy strikes your family.

If that's not enough to convince you then my plea has failed. I love offering flexibility to my clients and with that means digital files however they come alongside a print credit so you get the best of both worlds.

Please do enjoy the image I had tucked away of me as a 4 year old!

Emma x
Multi Award Winning Photographer
Also one that has your best interests at heart

Having a brand new baby is one of the most magical experiences in most people's lives. It changes your entire world, everything you thought you knew about love has changed within an instant - you have your very own tiny human. Incredible yet frightening all rolled into one big ball which we call parenthood.

Once that little baby is in your hands everything becomes a bit of a blur and all of a sudden your brand new baby is a couple of months old. Where did that time go? How did my baby grow and change before my eyes?  I'm still astounded by this to be honest. The days just disappear.

The chance to have newborn portraits taken is a space of about 3 weeks. It is fleeting. It is what makes capturing this time even more important, having this newborn perfection recorded for you to enjoy for many years to come. For many people, this is the first time they are having a newborn session so I have prepared a few things for you to consider when looking for the right photographer for your little one.

1.  Timing is everything
That newborn timeframe is so short. Once your little one is 3 weeks old they become so much more aware of their surroundings, they are more alert and may break out in hormone spots. These are just a few of the reasons why most newborn photographers recommend before baby is 3 weeks old.

2.  Book before baby arrives
It sounds strange doesn't it. Booking in before your baby is here? Just like everything else you have organised for the impending arrival this will be one less thing you will need to worry about when your baby does decide to make their grand entrance into the world. Booking in advance also secures your space, most newborn photographers have a limited number of newborn sessions they can take on each month so get in early to avoid disappointment. It also means you have time to go over any ideas, colours and the style with your photographer.

3. Hire a professional
Would you be happy to hand your baby over to someone that hasn't has the adequate training on how to properly (and safely) pose a newborn? Newborn photography isn't something you can learn along the way or something you can just 'figure out'. Many of the images you see online are not always as they seem, babies are not actually supporting themselves or left hanging on a flower swing. These are skillfully placed together as composite images.  Newborn photography requires specific training and I strongly suggest an experienced newborn photographer for your precious little one.

4. Printed Products
Trust me when I say this - you are not going to have all the time in the world to be hunting out the right frames, arranging prints, designing thank you cards etc etc. Do yourself a favour and choose a photographer that can take care of these for you. Professional finished products not only look 300 times better, they last longer and it makes the whole experience so much better. You can't beat beautiful images on the wall of your own home. Something you can admire every, single day.

5. On the fence?
I have had a few clients that were on the fence about booking a session for their little one. These clients have come back to me a few months later saying they really regret not capturing their baby as a newborn and now they're several months old there is no way of turning back the clock. The only images you regret are the ones you never had taken so whatever is holding you back, whether it be time, the cost, worried that your little one could be too unsettled - talk these through with your photographer, I can almost guarantee there will be a solution for you.

6. Don't worry
So easy to say huh? Your baby might arrive late, could be early, may be unsettled. Every new parent has a million worries (I know, I get you. I have been there too). Babies arrive on their own schedule, most newborn photographers understand this and have allowed space for if your little one is later (or earlier) than expected. An experienced photographer can also help soothe and settle your little one through their years of working with brand new babies. They have learnt all the tricks in the book - just another reason to hire someone with experience.

If you want to chat newborn photography with me at all, please feel free to get in touch.
www.emmasteinerphotography.co.nz