So you have your photos back—whether it’s a wedding, family session, or an event—and you received your online gallery. You downloaded your photos. But now what?

There are two main things to think about after receiving your gallery. The first is what to do with your digital files.

Although we are firm believers in always keeping your edited photos on file, we don’t have a set timeline for deleting or removing them from our system. We see these files as important parts of our work, and we understand that sometimes life happens, even when you prepare for it. For that reason, we keep your files archived in case of an emergency.

That said, we strongly recommend storing your photos properly on your end as well.

The best thing you can do for important digital files—like wedding photos or family portraits—is to save them in more than one place. Keeping them on your computer’s hard drive is a great start. Sharing them on social media is also wonderful for viewing and sharing. However, hard drives can fail, and social media platforms compress images, meaning those versions are not the high-quality originals you received. Using cloud storage, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or another service, adds an extra layer of protection.

A good rule of thumb is to keep anything digitally important in three places. This could be your computer, an external backup drive, and an online cloud storage service. This protects your photos if a device is damaged, lost, or something is deleted accidentally. Life happens, and having multiple backups ensures your memories are safe.

But what about prints? You may have blank wall space and want to see your photos every morning while you have your coffee. The vast majority of our sessions, including all of our wedding packages, come with a print release. This means you have the freedom to print your photos wherever you like. Our website also offers a professional print lab that can deliver prints directly to your door, but we completely understand that some clients prefer a favorite lab or a local business.

There are many print options available, ranging from budget-friendly to premium, depending on materials and quality. Through our website, you can print on materials like metal and canvas, which can turn a photograph into a true art piece for your home. Our biggest recommendation is that if a print will be displayed on your wall for years, it is worth using a professional print lab. Professional labs offer better color accuracy, higher-quality materials, and a variety of paper options, all of which impact the final look of your print.

Everyone’s needs and preferences are different, and that’s completely okay. It’s your day, your family photos, and your space. That’s why, with our largest wedding package, we include a complimentary print and offer size options. Some clients live full-time in an RV and prefer smaller prints, while others want a large statement piece. We never see our clients as one-size-fits-all, and we want to honor that in every detail, including your complimentary print.

To recap: after you receive your photos (and we hope you absolutely love them), save them in three places whenever possible. If you plan to display prints in your home, consider using a professional print lab you trust. This advice also applies to important phone photos. Phones get lost, damaged, or replaced, so backing up those images is just as important.

That way, your memories stay safe and accessible, even if something unexpected happens. If you have any questions or concerns, we’re always here to help, even after your photos have been delivered. We also have a few prints linked under our Art for Sale tab if you’d like to browse paper options and products. I’m a planner by nature, and previewing options like that always helps me make decisions.

And as always, if you have any questions, we’re more than happy to be here for you. Contact us directly with any questions you may have.