The Benefits of Using Professional Prints Labs for Your Family Photos
I’m a big fan of using professional print labs for your family photos! Let me take you back to the early days of my photography business. I was photographing a lot of friends and family—you know, learning the ropes and building my portfolio. One day, I took extended family photos for a dear friend I’ve known since first grade. Her mom loved the images so much that she ordered a huge canvas from Costco to hang above their fireplace. I remember walking into their living room and immediately noticing how the color was a little… off. The clarity wasn’t quite there either, but I kept my mouth shut because, hey, they were happy.
Fast forward two years, and I’m back at their house for a playdate (her mom had an amazing pool—hello, summer memories!). She pulls me aside, points at the canvas, and says, “Look at this!” The surface of the canvas had started cracking, peeling like the Mojave Desert. My heart sank.
That moment solidified what I had already started to realize: using professional print labs for your family photos is worth it. If you’re investing in family photos, you want them to look incredible not just for a couple of years but for generations. Let’s break down why professional print labs like WHCC, Millers, and Bay Photo blow consumer options like Minted, Artifact Uprising, Shutterfly, and yes, Costco, out of the water.
1. Superior Paper and Materials
Professional print labs for your family photos use archival-quality materials designed to last. What does that mean? It’s not just about paper; it’s about the best paper. These labs use high-grade, acid-free papers that resist fading and discoloration over time. And when it comes to canvases, their coatings protect against cracking, peeling, and even environmental factors like UV rays.
On the flip side, consumer options often use lower-quality materials. While they might look fine when you first get them, they’re not built to stand the test of time. That’s why you end up with cracked canvases or prints that yellow within a few years.
2. True-to-Life Color (Because Skin Tones Matter)
Here’s where we get a little technical, but stay with me—it’s worth it. As a professional photographer, I obsess over color. I check CMYK numbers on skin tones to make sure your photos print exactly as they should. The subtle blush in your child’s cheeks? The warmth in their smile? These details matter. Professional print labs for your family photos have finely tuned color profiles that ensure your images are printed exactly as I intended them to be.
Consumer labs? Not so much. Their color calibration often falls short, leading to skin tones that look too orange, too green, or just… wrong. It’s frustrating to spend hours perfecting your photos only to have them come back looking nothing like what you see on your screen.
3. Attention to Detail: Highlights and Shadows
Every photo tells a story, and part of that story is in the highlights and shadows. When I’m editing, I use a histogram to ensure the highlights aren’t blown (a fancy way of saying they’re not too bright) and the blacks aren’t clipped (too dark). These nuances are crucial to creating depth and dimension in your photos. Professional print labs for your family photos respect that level of detail.
Cheaper labs? They’ll often sacrifice detail for speed. You might notice that shadows lose depth, highlights lose texture, and the overall image looks flat. It’s the difference between a photo that feels alive and one that falls flat on the wall.
4. Longevity: A Legacy That Lasts
When you invest in professional print labs for your family photos, you’re investing in a legacy. These prints are designed to last for decades, if not centuries, with proper care. Imagine your great-grandchildren flipping through a family album and seeing your images just as vibrant and beautiful as the day they were printed. That’s the kind of longevity professional labs provide.
Contrast that with consumer labs. The materials and inks they use often start to fade within a few years. That canvas from Costco? It’s a perfect example. Two years in, and it was already cracking and peeling. It breaks my heart to think about all the family memories that could be lost simply because they weren’t printed with care.
5. When to Use a Professional Print Lab
So, when should you invest in professional print labs for your family photos? Anytime you’re printing something you want to last—think wall art, heirloom albums, or even small prints for a keepsake box. These aren’t just photos; they’re your memories, your legacy.
That’s why I include a print credit with every session you book—to encourage you to print your cherished memories with a trusted, high-quality professional lab.
Of course, consumer labs aren’t always a bad choice. If you need quick holiday cards or thank-you notes, places like Minted or Shutterfly can get the job done. But for anything that’s going on your walls or passed down through generations? Professional is the way to go.
A Final Word of Advice
I’ve learned a lot since those early days of my business. Now, I guide my clients through the print process to make sure they end up with heirloom-quality pieces they can treasure for years. If you’re working with a photographer, don’t hesitate to ask about their preferred print labs. Trust me, we’re not just being picky—we’re advocating for your memories. Using
is worth it. You go to a lot of trouble planning and coordinating your photoshoot. Finish it by investing in professional print labs for your family photos.
If you’re curious about professional print labs, check out Millers, WHCC or Bay Photo. And next time you’re tempted to print through a consumer lab, remember the Costco canvas story. Your memories are worth more than cracking and peeling—they’re worth prints that will stand the test of time.