Giving Digital Files The Finger
Over the course of the past few years, I’ve found myself on many occasions going off on a rant about how digital files need to find a cliff and die haha 😂 😂
I know it sounds extreme but hear me out.
Think about a time or an event that was special to you. Let’s say your last milestone birthday. In my case that was over 3 years ago when I turned 30. A friend asks to see these photos so you can reminisce together. How easy (or hard) would it be to recall these photos? Would it take you seconds to find? Are they all in the same place? On your phone? On your laptop? Are they backed up? Do you have them anymore? Do you even know?! I’ll wage that you can say no to at least two of these questions. And that’s okay because I’m the same 😂
Whilst my work images are immaculately stored and securely filed, my personal photos are all over the shop! I wouldn’t know where to start to find photos from my 30th birthday…Facebook? Didn’t someone make an album? It wasn’t me but someone did. I’m sure. Oh, no that was my 28th. Ummmm…
Let’s switch this up a bit - if you’re reading this, my guess is that you understand the value of photography so you’ve got a least a few prints around the house, or in boxes with good intentions of being framed one day! But I bet you know where those are.
The most treasured memories should be tangible.
I do my best to encourage my clients to walk away with more than just digital files. I’m very open about that and it’s for good reason:
The digital files you get from your session would almost certainly get lost in your camera roll on your phone amongst photos of your kids, selfies, pictures of food etc.
They have a tendency to get corrupted and get forgotten about it. What’s the point of having this experience with me if that’s going to be the great purpose of your images’ existence.
You will definitely email me saying you can’t remember the password to your personal gallery. It happens like clockwork haha
You’re not doing your journey it’s full justice. This isn’t a trip to Winter Wonderland, worthy of a a couple of selfies. This is a journey towards empowerment and self-love - for life!
If you think about how many hundreds of digital photos we see each day on social media, I'd suggest that their value and impact has become diluted over the years. It’s such a shame but I’m trying my best to fight it!
So with this in mind, my stance is this: if you’re gonna work up the courage and put in the effort to have this kind of experience, know that I’m going to do all I can to ensure that this is a memorable experience for you and encourage you to walk out with more than just some digital files and instead with a way in which you can relive that feeling over and over again, anytime you want!
Merv x
