Lydia Suzanne
S
L

CONTACT

ABOUT

newborn

family

blog

HOME

maternity

pricing

find your way around

now booking 2025 fall mini sessions

Professional Printing: The Game Changer Your Photos Deserve

I'm a lifestyle newborn and family photographer based in Austin, TX offering a full-service photography experience with custom artwork design for your home. With a light and airy style, I specialize in maternity, newborn, baby, and family portraits. 

resources

03.

featured posts

 austin newborn & Family PHOTOGRAPher

Welcome

Jessika's maternity session in cedar park

maternity

newborn

family

post categories

I'm lydia

Search the blog

01.

Baby Autumn's outdoor newborn session in Austin

02.

Family photos: Tips for light and airy photos

Professional Printing | mockup of framed family photos hanging above a beige couch in a living room. There are three framed pictures. The one in the middle is of a family with a baby. The two frames in the outside have a print of the baby only. The photos were taken by a family photographer in Austin, TX.

Ever wondered why professional printing done through your photographer costs more than Walgreens or Target?

You’re not alone!

At first, professional printing may seem expensive. Digital alternatives and quick prints often cost less. But think of it this way: it’s like choosing a gourmet meal instead of fast food. Both fill you up, but the experience and quality are completely different.

Professional printing is not just ink on paper. It’s about expertise, quality, and creating something that will last. Let’s dive into why it’s worth the investment.

Professional Printing Comes with Expertise

Lower-cost labs often mean less experience. Professional labs, however, bring years of knowledge. They understand paper quality, ink longevity, color accuracy, and finishing details.

Photographers carefully test multiple labs before choosing the best option for their clients.

I remember ordering a quick print from Walgreens after my daughter’s 9-month session. The colors were overly saturated, and I never framed it. Later, I reordered through a professional lab, and the difference was striking. The photo finally looked the way it was meant to.

When you order through your photographer, you also benefit from their expertise. We know how to handle cropping, color profiles, and sizing limitations that can make or break a print.

Personalized Guidance for Your Prints

Printing with your photographer is more than just ordering a picture. It often includes guidance you can’t get on your own.

Recently, I helped a client select framed prints for their home. They wanted statement pieces but weren’t sure about size or placement. With my professional software, I showed them mockups on their walls. This helped them choose prints that fit perfectly in their space.

Professional printing also offers customization. From paper choice to special finishes, your prints are tailored to you. During ordering sessions, I bring paper samples so clients can touch and compare. It’s a personalized experience you won’t get from a budget lab.

Why Quality Materials Matter

Memories like newborn sessions or first birthdays deserve the best materials. Professional labs use fine art paper that resists yellowing and ink that won’t fade.

For framed prints, I also use anti-glare acrylic to protect against UV rays. My clients receive a lifetime guarantee, ensuring their heirloom pieces remain beautiful for years.

On the other hand, budget stores often fail to calibrate printers. That means colors can turn green, pink, or overly bright. As photographers, we spend hours perfecting your images. Poor printing can undo that work.

Professional printing | mockup of a framed print of a family of 4 in a field of wildflowers in Austin, TX.

When DIY Printing Makes Sense

Of course, there are times when DIY printing makes sense. If you’re making scrapbooks, printing small gifts for relatives, or simply need quick duplicates, ordering digital files may be the right choice.

In those cases, I recommend trusted online labs like Mpix or Artifact Uprising. I never suggest using Walgreens or Target, since their colors are too unreliable.

The Long-Term Value of Professional Printing

Sometimes a quick print is enough. But when you’re creating wall art or heirloom albums, quality matters deeply.

Professional printing ensures your images look as beautiful decades from now as they do today. When you hold a print years later, you’ll be grateful you invested in something lasting.

Ready to book a session and create artwork for your home? Click here to view my family portfolio or inquire about booking.

Lydia Suzanne Photography is an Austin maternity, newborn, and family photographer serving Austin, TX and surrounding areas including Leander, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, and Pflugerville. With a light and airy style, Lydia Suzanne offers a full-service photography experience focused on preserving your family legacy with custom artwork for your home. Lydia Suzanne Photography is currently booking maternity, newborn, baby, and family sessions.

Contact me here to book your Austin photo session.

Headshot of an Austin Newborn and Family Photographer.

Resources

filed in:

baby