Community› Wedding Discussion Boards› Wedding Photography and Videography Forum
Wedding Photography and Videography Forum
New Discussion
Options

Photo print quality

imbodenlimbodenl
in Wedding Photography and Videography Forum
We have the digital release for our pictures and are free to print them wherever we like.  However, we also have the option to order from the photographer.  A 4x6 from the photographer is $12.  Various sites online would offer an equivalent print for less than a dollar.  Does anyone know if the print quality is significantly higher from the photopraher?
Report Reply to Post

Re: Photo print quality

  • Options
    lavalorelavalore member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    The prints from the photographer tend to be a much higher quality than you would get from the drug store labs (disclaimer: this does vary by photographer and if they are truely professional or not). The professional photographers have access to "professional only" print houses (meaning they have to have a legit business license to get access), that print high quality archival prints. They print on better paper that is thicker and is usually guarenteed not to fade for a 100 years or so. The consumer "drug store" photo labs print on cheaper lower quality papers, this is why they can sell them to us so cheap. These papers tend to start fading after only a few years and usually you can easily scratch the image right off the paper.

    I used to work in a Walgreens photo lab and their whole gimic is to sell the cheap prints and hope that when they fade or mess up the customer will keep coming back to reprint the same images every few years.
    Report Reply
  • Options
    KurtisKronkPhotographyKurtisKronkPhotography
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    lavalore is right on... It really depends on the photographer. I do all my own printing in-studio on a high-end commercial printer using archival inks and papers, so I have full control for the best color accuracy and my quality is vastly superior to what you'd get from a lab, and especially from websites geared towards general consumers (as opposed to professionals). Most photographers don't do their own printing, but they at least use a professional lab. Some photographers get their prints at Costco or other cheap labs - in which case the quality will be lower.

    When you think about the cost of a print, you have to think about more than what it costs you to take your point-n-shoot to Wal-Mart and get prints made. A professional has to spend a lot of time editing that image before it's ready to print. Ensuring that they are using the correct color profiles etc. for a given lab if they don't print it themselves. Uploading, ordering, etc etc... it all takes time.

    That being said, it isn't uncommon for couples and their families to get prints made on their own for the smaller print sizes (8x10 and below). The quality isn't going to be great, but at that size you probably don't care that much. It's the wall prints that are really important, and you will definitely see a difference in prints you make yourself compared to prints made by a [good] professional.
    Report Reply
  • Options
    fuccisphotosfuccisphotos
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Go to mpix.com they are a pro-online lab, or check out professional local labs in your area.  Get it printed on nicer paper there, but still for much less than from your photographer.  DO NOT use something like snapfish.  Their quality is TERRIBLE!  Kodakgallery.com is decent.
    Report Reply
  • Options
    HaveAGoodDayHaveAGoodDay member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    It certainly depends on the photographer and the method/lab for printing.  A true photographic print from a quality professional lab looks so much nicer than a low quality print.  The colors will look more accurate and the feel of the paper itself will feel more durable, just better. 

    If you are considering making your own wedding album, take a look at ...

    http://www.wedesignalbums.com

    You provide the images (either upload online or mail a high resolution CD).  They will design a custom album for you.  Once you approve the final design, the images are printed, the album assembled and shipped directly to you.

    These are not the magazine style pages, these are the hard mounted pages bound in a flushmount/coffee table style album.  You can choose from many sizes, colors and even an acrylic cover.  These are the same albums many photographers provide to their brides.

    Everything is done here in the U.S., so the turn around time is 2-3 weeks total.  You can also call and talk to a real person if you have any questions.

    You will not be disappointed!

    Good luck.
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards