With the simplicity and convenience of the digital age, we don't always think about our memories for years to come. It's easy to say "I've got my full resolution image" and feel secure that those digital memories will be accessible down the road when you want to take that trip down memory lane.

But what you may not realize is that 10 years down the road (or technically, maybe even months down the road), those images may not exist. Computers break, external hard drive and thumb drives fail, and CDs will loose information. And when you try to find other avenues to obtain a copy, there's a good chance that those might not be available either.

Professional photographers sometimes hold their digital images for no more than 1 year. Some don't even hold them for that long because the files are large, and they've got to take up space somewhere. Space is money. And what are the chances that someone will want to purchase a copy of those images again years down the road? Out of sight, out of mind...until years down the road...maybe. It's just not financially worth it for a photographer to keep those images once the client has purchased the digital images.

If push came to shove, I MIGHT be able to pull up an image for a client 3 or 4 years ago, but it would take some time, and it's not the norm. Prior to that I was shooting film, and I guarantee you that would be near impossible for me to get these days - I gave my clients the negatives with their prints and sent them on their way.

Being that I look at digital images day in and day out, it's difficult to remember that I need to take my own advice about my personal images - back them up - at multiple locations. But also know that jpegs will loose their quality each time you save them (pixels and information get lost with each save). That's why it's important to make sure that you keep up to date with prints as well. You don't need to print EVERY image. Just pick one or two from a set at least - to hold the memory.

I'm sure many of you have seen your grandparents' square photo prints from when they were younger, right? The ones with the white boarder (love those!)? Had those been digital images, there's a good possibility that you may have never seen them. But they aren't. They are in-your-hand prints. Their prints have held through so much, but they have still lost their quality through the years. The same thing would happen if you took your digital image (you purchased the right to print if they're from a professional photographer, right?) to have them printed on your own at ____ (not naming names, but I'm sure you can fill in the blank with any non-professional printing lab and it would be about the same). As years pass, the quality starts to fade, and eventually the image looks nothing like it originally did - colors change and even possibly bleed, making the details unrecognizable. And we all know that they don't make things like they used to.

That's why it's also important that you have your images printed on high professional grade paper, printed with quality ink. You aren't going to find that at ____ (insert same non-pro lab name). If you've hired a professional photographer, hopefully they are using a reputable professional grade lab for their prints. Not sure what type of lab they're using?  I would definitely ask. They may not give you the name, but all you need to know is if they are using a professional grade printing lab - or maybe they are awesome and are developing their own images, in which case ask what kind of paper they're using. They shouldn't be charging you $50 for an 5x7 they printed at ____ (insert any non-pro lab name), unless they aren't charging a session fee.

So, I guess it's time for me to take my own advice...to go back through my images, back them up, and make my prints. I can't wait to share those with my grandchildren. Wait. Maybe I can...

If you're someone who is reaching to achieve something in your life but are a little disheartened that you aren't as good as someone else, this article is for you. It was referred to me by an amazing photographer that I've recently started following in Twitter (which, if you are not already a follower, please find me under KRush Photography).

It's easy to see something that someone else does and say to yourself, "I wish I could do that" or even possibly "I will never be that good." If this sounds like you, I have a few words for you: If you wish you could do something, what are you doing to make it possible? Stop wishing and get busy DOING! These people you admire are where they are because they worked hard - practicing, failing, and learning. And don't waste your energy wishing, or hating, or whatever it is that you're doing. So many times in this industry I see photographers that are AFRAID (yes, I said AFRAID) to praise, or help, or support another photographer, and I feel sorry for them.

Remember that "you have to give more to get more." -Sue Bryce

Happy reading!

http://billfortney.com/?p=6176

I love UPS and Amazon!

The UPS guy just stopped by, and I really can't believe that I got my package from Amazon so quickly! In the box: Food Photography by Nicole S. Young who also happens to be a good friend of a good friend of mine. She's a super nice lady, and extremely talented. I received Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Digital Photography by Ferrell McCollough (after borrowing this from the previous mentioned friend, I HAD to have my own copy), Gil Elvgren The Complete Pin-Ups for inspiration for a future shoot with my good friend Kimmie with Lavish Lark Photography, and a 100% Waterproof SLR case from DiCAPac (to be tested with the 40D the first time around at least...not sure I'm willing to risk ruining my 5D just yet).

So I'm super excited with my new toys and not sure where to start first! Learning how to edit photos in HDR was on the top of my NY Resolutions list, so that may be the first thing I work on. But for now, I'm taking a short break - family is in town (my son and my dear, sweet sister) and we are headed up to Disneyland for the first time in...um...at least 22 years (to this one anyway). I'm wondering if The Matterhorn is still my favorite?? =)

Newbie

I'm new to this whole blogging thing. Everyone I know who has a business seems to be blogging these days...even friends of mine that don't. I've heard nothing but great things, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Don't shoot me if this is the last post. LOL!

So, I recently moved to sunny San Diego this past April, and it has been a challenge as far as the photography business goes. Trying to get settled in on the homefront - getting unpacked, settled in, K set up for daycare and kindergarten, and starting a new job - leaves little time to focus on pretty much starting a photography business from scratch. Let alone, in a city I've never been to with people I don't know, and what seems to be hundreds of other photographers already established.

I went against my better judgement and put out a couple insanely discounted specials through Groupon-esque sites. The first one wasn't much of a success, although I did meet some really nice people. The second? Well, it won't be active until tomorrow....so we'll see!

Marketing is something I would like to think I'm somewhat good at, but I don't know all of the aspects. Those of you who've known me the last few years might think it hard to believe, but I'm not the type of person to just go up to someone and say "Hey, wanna work together?" But I've found myself having to push my "shy" ways aside to bring home the virtual bacon. So far, that's consisted only of hiding behind a keyboard - sending out emails. =) It's working...a little, but I've discovered that I'm going to have to come out of this shell and MAKE things happen. No one's going to do it for me.

So, keep an eye out...in the next few weeks (hopefully) I will post (maybe) my experiences with going up to businesses I know very little about to branch out. This could get interesting...