Why do we not sell our full resolution files? Because there are so many photographers in the industry offering their clients the full resolution files from their weddings and portrait sessions, we thought you might be interested to know why we have an 8×10 print size limit on our digital files. It is pretty simple and it all boils down the reason you may want the files in the first place.

First and foremost, we have discovered, our clients mostly want to “just have them”. They are comforted by the presence of the files on a disk or hard-drive. They want to know that they can reprint the image if an accident should befall them. Many people love to scrapbook and can’t very well take a pair of scissors and Elmer’s glue to their fancy professional print. They also want to be able to share the images. They want to be able to post to Facebook and make their friends drool over their super fabulous images. The argument continues…besides that… framed 5x7s make perfect (and affordable) grandparent gifts when you can print them at consumer costs. Custom photographers typically charge anywhere from $25 to $85 for a single gift print. That could be a pretty pricey gift by the time you add in framing… even if it is a gift for the people who brought you in and up in the world!

We get it! We completely understand and agree with all of these reasons for wanting to have digital copies of your images. Which is why we offer the digital files for all of our wedding clients as well as an option for a portrait session that includes the files. So, what gives? Why cap it at 8×10 resolution?

We believe anything larger than an 8×10 is an art piece intended for long term display in your home and therefore should be treated as such. Special attention should (nay, MUST) be given to the images prior to large scale printing. The average person, even with their copy of Photoshop on their laptop, does not have the tools nor the ability, oftentimes, to attend to preparing the images for large print. In the rare case that a person does possess the ability to prepare the images, altering another artist’s work is akin to Van Gogh taking a paint brush to Rembrandt’s painting. It simply isn’t done!

Because we believe so strongly in the integrity of our imagery, we do not give the high resolution files. We pour our heart and souls in creating beautiful images for our clients. We simply want the privilege of seeing our art come to fruition. Meanwhile, knock yourself out making prints for Grandma, slicing and dicing those prints for scrapbooks and sharing on Facebook. You can even make your own greeting cards and photo-books (but we maintain the right to think ours are cooler!). While we have your attention… always give credit where credit is due. Give a little Brandelyn Lee Photography shout out when sharing your images on networking sites and personal blogs. And never ever sell the images or attempt to make your own art. We appreciate your understanding!