What is a photograph worth?

 What is a photograph worth? On it's basic level, it's paper and ink, throw in the cost of film or digital media and maybe it's worth a dollar or two. We take a lot of photographs with our cell phones these days and most of them are never printed. That fact alone had downgraded the value of photographs in many people's eyes. As a professional photographer, I often meet people who don't value what I provide, and don't understand what goes in to making a portrait.  

The real value of a photograph is in the subject matter. What is a photograph of your grandparents worth to you, after they are gone? A picture of your babies, once they are grown and flown? A beloved pet who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge? I am often asked to photograph milestone birthdays and family reunions. When all the family gets together, it is the ideal time for a portrait. The resulting group picture will just get more valuable as time passes. And, if you have a photographer come and take a few pictures, everyone can be in them!

I was recently asked to restore some wedding photos for a 50th Anniversary celebration. I hustled and got them done in time for the party and my client was very happy with them. Seeing these pictures bright and clear again was an emotional moment and it spurred the client to hire me to take new pictures at the celebration Mass. It was a lovely service and, afterwards, the young priest was a good sport when I attempted to recreate one of the original wedding pictures! Whether I succeeded or not, these photos will bring back memories of a happy day.

So what are photographs worth to you? At your family gatherings, chances are, someone will take a few selfies and a few group pictures with a cell phone. They will share them on Facebook and everyone will comment, "Nice pic!" If Grandma is not on Facebook, she may never get to see the pictures. Even if she is, they will soon be buried under a pile of new posts. How many of them will be printed?  How many will even be backed up on something other than the phone?  

Cell phones don't last more than a few years; they may die on their own, become damaged or broken or simply traded for a newer, shinier model. Remember that the digital pictures you take are ephemeral. I have been asked to speak to a Tech group for Seniors, about how to take better pictures with your cell phone and I will certainly bring up the importance of backing them up as well as printing some of them. Photographs are memories, after all, and you can't put a price on that!