Saying goodbye to Paris
This past week was bittersweet. In my own way, I finally had to let go…and say goodbye to Paris.
A Portrait of Maggie in Paris at dawn
For everyone who so faithfully followed along on our Paris adventure last year (thank you!), you know how much went into creating every single image. And you probably also thought that everything came to a close the moment we arrived home.
Nope.
My job as a denver portrait photographer is not to create digital images to be viewed on a mobile phone. That is not the heart of my business. My clients commission me to complete their experience with a luxury heirloom. Professionally printed and matted images in a custom folio box, fastened securely with a satin bow.
Delivering my clients their folio box always means that my time with them has come to a close…at least for the time being. It makes me smile and breaks my heart all at the same time. But I find peace in knowing that I’m sending each client off with something that will keep the experience we shared alive forever. And Maggie was no exception.
A new family heirloom
Although we returned back to Denver from Paris months ago, Maggie only stayed in the U.S. for a brief moment before leaving the country again for work. It was only last week that she returned to Denver…and I was finally able to put in her hands, for the very first time, her folio Box.
I always feel emotional watching my client’s reactions. Seeing Maggie touch her heirloom for the first time was no different. The usually cool and collected MAggie immediately burst into tears upon seeing her finished product…and tears quickly turned to one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen.
Her boyfriend was with her…and to see the joy on his face, as well made me remember the reason why I do what I do.
“We take photographs as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.”
You see, Paris was amazing. Incredible. Unforgettable. But it was, in reality, a few days out of our lives. And because MAggie’s Folio Box exists, those several days of bliss will now live on forever. Not just for Maggie.
But for the people who love…and will love her, one day.
Exist in Photographs
My photography studio in Denver is a print and product based business. Does that mean I don’t sell digital images? No. I do both. And only both.
A sleek acrylic USB drive, containing a backup of Maggie’s images.
What I mean is that the digital files my clients purchase only serve as a backup on their computers…and yes, to share on social media with loved ones. With every print the client takes home, she gets some form of a digital file that matches that image. But my clients never, ever take home only a digital file. That would be a complete and utter disservice to them, even if they didn’t realize it right away.
Technology is constantly changing. Constantly. My Macbook Pro isn’t even brand new and it doesn’t have a USB Port! What is new and innovative today will be laughed at in ten years time. And if all you get from your photographer are digital images on a stick, before you know it you won’t even be able to plug it in, anywhere!
The other thing to remember is that many photographers delete old sessions to create more space on their hard drives. If they don’t have your files on their computer years later…and you never backed up yours because, well, life…and something happens to your files...
Well…there go your memories.
This happens far too often and i realized early on in my career that an all-digital business model was the absolute wrong fit for me. It may work for some people, but not me. And truly, my clients all agree.
The images from Maggie’s experience in Paris were professionally printed with an incredible lustre finish. A gorgeous matte is also available.
When Maggie was looking through her custom, handmade folio box she was absolutely beaming. She quickly commented on how incredible the quality of the paper was, something that you cannot get from your local pharmacy photo lab. When you leave your photographs in the hands of a professional, who has access to the professional labs and luxury products out of reach for most people, you will walk home with something extraordinary…and made to outlive you.
Maggie’s folio Box contains 25 mats and weighs almost 15 pounds! Every Folio Box is handmade and upon arrival, white glove inspected by me.
With countless color and Fabric combinations available, every client is sure to treasure her custom heirloom forever.
Much of that appointment is a blur to me. But I will remember forever what Maggie said as she took out the very first mat from her new folio Box. Through tears, and without looking up, Maggie said…
“And that’s why people should come to you.”
Thank you, MAggie. We’ll always have Paris.
