How to Protect Your Wedding Photos - Part 1

We begin with Part 1 of our blog series with learning some basic steps on protecting you prints.

First let’s begin with making sure we have purchased a high quality print from a pro photo lab.  True professional photographers have wonderful pro labs that they use.  These labs provide a high quality paper and ink that typically last longer than purchasing photo paper at your local office store and printing photos at home on your computer.  Using such retail store labs from big box stores while cost less; the photos don't last as long.  The ink fades, and even sometimes bleeds to not give that crisp clear image you expected that looked great on the computer.

While purchasing your wedding pictures from your photographer can be expensive it is wise to actually get some wedding photos that are included with a package.  Whether that package may look expensive an average 8x10 usually cost about $20 for just one photo.  So if you think of how many photos from the wedding you want for yourself, your mom and grandparents that cost quickly adds up.  If your photographer does not offer any package for shooting the wedding that also include photos, then see if they can offer a print credit which actually is pretty popular among the industry instead of say an album or signing book. This way you get those beautiful pictures to display on your wall in the sizes you need. If when you looked through the albums and photos your wedding photographer has on display you can see how their pro labs quality compares. If you have questions ask your wedding photographer to educate you on the difference.  Most pro labs that professional photographers use have a high stand for how the quality of paper and ink they use along with any coating on the photo to help it be protected giving you a awesome print.

When you have your photos be sure that you display them into your frames right away.  Be sure that the glass of the frame blocks out ultra-violent light and your mat is acid free.  Don't use glue or adhesives as they can damage your photo or give off gases that can damage your photo over time.

When it comes to hanging and displaying your wedding photo place it in a room where the temperature is steady.  Avoid outer walls, placing above air ducts or vents, kitchens or any place where the temperature in the room or on the wall changes. You want dry, low humidity and steady temperatures that are on the cool side.  Avoid sunlight.  So before you hang, check out where the sunlight falls on the wall where you want your wedding photo displayed.  

These tips will help you protect your wedding photos and your wedding day investment into great wedding memories.