What every eco-conscience mom ought to know about sustainable photography

Mar 14, 2023 | By: Courtney Ranck-Copher Photography

As a mom, you're always looking out for the environment.  One of the most important things I can do as a mom is to ensure my son knows about sustainable living and recycling.  This extends beyond just recycling plastic bottles and paper towels: It also applies to photography!  These days, there are so many ways that eco-conscious moms can celebrate their families with beautiful images without harming the planet.  Here's what every eco-conscious mom ought to know about sustainable photography.

 

What is sustainable photography?

Sustainable photography is a term used to describe producing photographic images in an environmentally friendly way. It's also known as eco-conscious photography, and it involves printing your photos on archival paper that will last long enough to pass down to future generations.

In addition to being better for the environment, this printing allows you to keep your favorite memories alive longer than ever!  At Courtney Ranck-Copher Photography we use archival printing for all of our products.

What is archival printing?

Archival printing uses a material that will not fade or deteriorate over time, meaning it will last hundreds of years!  The term "archival" refers to the paper and pigment used in this type of printing.  These materials are used in traditional fine art prints because they offer high quality and longevity; however, they're also suitable for photography prints.

What are eco-conscious photographers doing to minimize waste?

In addition to using sustainable materials and processes, eco-conscious photographers also ensure their clients know the importance of sustainability.

Another essential thing to remember is waste when using commercial printers like Walmart and Costco. When using large output printing companies that aren’t sustainably focused, the color quality on your images can be off. I’ve seen prints from big box stores turn out green and magenta. Definitely is not a beautiful look for your family photos! Also, you're using even more ink and paper to get it right.

Over time the low-grade ink will fade, leading to continuous re-printing and waste of paper and resources including the time for you to find the original digital to print.

Many photographers are eco-conscious, but knowing how our choices impact the environment is essential. We can minimize waste by choosing archival printing and using environmentally friendly materials while producing beautiful photos.

Here is what you can do so you don’t have to stress about ensuring you get archival prints.

Work with a professional eco-conscious photographer.

Your photographer can access professional labs that use archival-quality printing and have color-calibrated machines that print right the first time. Not all photographers offer prints. However, they can direct you to a Pro-Consumer Lab. Pro-Consumer Labs' images are almost as good as those of Professional Lab. However, some work must be done to ensure your computer settings are calibrated to the labs' equipment. This requires technical setup. I recommend using Pro-Consumer Labs for the more tech-savvy mom.  

If you decide to work with a Pro-Consumer Lab, you need to upload files (make sure to find out what type they accept, like JPEG or TIFF) & find out what color space the lab uses, among other things.

 

What about not printing at all and storing my images digitally?

Thumbdrives, The Cloud, hard drives, etc., are not archival. Any digital storage will deteriorate and become obsolete. Your hardware will stop working at some point.  

Not only will the hardware fail, but the most recorded generation in history is in danger of becoming "the lost generation" because digitals are transitory. In my blog post, you can read more about The Transitory Nature of Digital Files and What That Means For Your Treasured Images. 

The timeless process of printing memories is relevant today, especially considering future generations. It's crucial to ensure that our loved ones, from grandparents to parents to kids, aren't left in the dark about their family's heritage. As moms, we can keep our family memories alive for our descendants.

Ready to find out if I am the right photographer for your eco-conscious family?  Contact me by filling out the form.

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