In the last few weeks, I have had a few clients tell me how much better their photos looked when they had them printed through me rather than attempting to print their own from a USB or CD. One client had tried multiple places to get photos that looked good on her wall with the professionally printed ones that she got from me, but failed.
This is a subject that doesn’t come up a lot. Clients think they want the digital files to print their own, not realizing that there is a substantial difference in how a professional lab prints and the papers they use, compared to places that print for consumers.
Jo Jones Photography invests a lot of money in high quality photo equipment and computer monitors that show color correctly, do color calibrations frequently and work with my print lab to make sure that photos print the same as they look on my computer screen. I have no control over how prints look from a consumer lab you might use. This has the potential of making the colors look bad or the sharpness and contrast not right.. They use printers that may or may not be calibrated and they are set to meet the needs of people taking snapshots, printing cell phone photos, not the professional photographer.
As a professional, I feel a sense of responsibility to make sure that your prints look great on your wall. You are not just paying for the 8x10 piece of paper, but a professional handling your photos along with the required equipment to ensure the best results every time. Consider the professional service you get start to finish when your photographer handles your photos from taking the photo to printing the photo and giving you art work of your favorite people to hang on your wall.
That place on your wall should be filled with high quality prints that will stand the test of time!