Which Photos should you Print?

Even when clients are given a small number of photos, if they are happy with their photos, they are often overwhelmed with their choice when it comes to choosing which photos to get printed.  What I like, will be different to what they like, so giving my preferences would be of little use.  After all, I won't be looking at these prints every day.  Each person has their own tastes in photos, and this will vary according to what type of photos they are viewing too.  A few questions however will help you choose.  Here are some tips to help you decide which photos to get printed:

What size are they?  Where will they go?

Often these two questions go together. For example, in most of LK Photography packages, 3(8"x12") professional prints are included.  Therefore you don't need to choose your size, you just need to decide where is the best place in your home to hang them.  If you don't have a size in mind, then ask yourself the reverse question.  Where would you like to hang them?  The size of your wall space will help you decide the smallest or largest size that you will need.

Which are your favourites?

An obvious question, but narrowing your choices down will help. If you are viewing from the LK Photography website in the 'View Your Pictures' page, when you click on a picture to enlarge it, at the left hand side of the screen, click on 'Add to Favourites' to help you.  After you done adding all your favourites, you can then click on 'View Favourites' to scroll through the ones you have chosen.  You can then zoom, compare and remove any that are no longer needed as you get closer to choosing the images you will be printing.

Your image should be chosen to suit the size at which it will be printed.

I am not talking about resolution but that is important to ensure quality when printing.  As a photographer, sometimes I take a photo during a photography session that I know would look amazing as a huge wall print, but which would lose its appeal as a little 6"x4" print.  Keep this in mind and try not to choose photos for small prints in which the subjects are further away and include beautiful scenery.  Likewise you may not like a really close up photo printed as a huge print as faces may seem too big.

  

Are your photos going to be placed together?
LK Photography clients are often given all their photos in normal colour but for some photos, I include extra copies of the same image but edited in a different manner.  If you intend on mixing your new prints on your wall with other photos, choosing the same editing effect should not really matter.  If however your prints are to be a stand alone feature, you may want to consider choosing the same editing effect for all of the set. ie. choose all black and white photos, or all normal colour photos, or all washed out colour effect photos.
 
Do your photos need to be portrait or landscape?
The positioning of photos will help you determine if you need to choose portrait or landscape images.  If choosing the same size prints, choosing one portrait and 2 horizontal images may leave you with little choice in positioning when the time comes to place them on your wall.  Keep in mind that most photos can be cropped into the opposite orientation. ie. a landscape photo can be cropped to be printed as a portrait photo.

         

Do you want a variety or an artistic set?
Choosing 3 similar photos to place together on a wall gives a striking effect that is sure to turn heads.  However, if variety is your thing, choose a close up, and 2 photos taken from further away.

   

What will you be printing on? 

Printing the same image on regular photo paper as opposed to metallic paper, cloth, acrylics, or canvas materials, will give you different effects.  Some images will look better or worse, depending on the material you choose.  Ask LK Photography for advice when you have a few images in mind or when you have a special photo you like but are unsure what material to get it printed upon.  Most photos will print well on regular photo paper.

 Who are the prints for? Everybody's preferences are different but 9 out of 10 times, more mature generations like photos that are taken closer up, where faces are looking into the camera, and where everybody is smiling.  The more artistic the person you are giving to is, the more likely they would prefer an image with something a little different ie. special effect, taken from a different angle etc.  And if the image is for a child, smiles, more smiles and some crazy facial expressions are sure to please them.

  

 Do you want any more printed? LK Photography packages include some prints for yourself but perhaps you have your heart set on a huge 20"x30" print to fill up that living room wall.  Or maybe you have parents, grandparents, aunties, godparents etc that you would like to give a little gift to.  This can range from a few 6"x4" prints to a large wall print.  Sometimes an album is more cost effective than getting 100-200 photos printed.  So if all the prints are for you only, have a look at the range of albums LK Photography offers.  Test them out.A special tip I give my clients is that if you are stuck on deciding between 2 or 3 photos, print a rough copy of it from your regular home printer. Stick it on the wall where you intend it to go. Leave it there for a few days and look at it each time you go past.  You will soon either love it or know that you need to choose another image to replace it. Choose something that will make you smileEither because its a fond memory or a funny memory or an endearing photo of someone you love, choosing an image that will make you smile every time you pass that photo in your home is money well spent. Still need more advice? Call Laura from LK Photography while you are in front of your photo choices and I will try to talk you through making your choices.  Do you get this type of service from your local photo printer mini-lab? Of course not! Apart from excellent service, ordering your prints from LK Photography ensures you get the best quality prints available. Subscribe to LK Photography Blog by Email To Unsubscribe, please reply with the word Unsubscribe in the subject line.   SHARE THIS ARTICLE