Your Wedding Photos: A Simple Guide to Getting the Most From Your Investment

Everything you need to know to enjoy and preserve your beautiful wedding memories

Congratulations! You’ve received your stunning wedding gallery from your photographer. Now what? This simple guide will help you care for your photos so they stay beautiful forever, get amazing prints that do your memories justice, and avoid common mistakes that could damage your precious images.

Your Photo Files: The Simple Breakdown

When you receive your wedding photos, you might get different types of files. Here’s what you need to know:

JPEG Files (The Easy Ones)

These are ready to share, post on social media, and print. They’re smaller files that work everywhere. Think of them like printed photos – perfect for everyday use.

TIFF Files (The High-Quality Ones)

Some photographers might provide TIFF files, which are larger, higher-quality versions. These hold more information than JPEGs and give you better quality for large prints. They’re bigger files but offer the best printing results.

Bottom line: Keep everything your photographer gives you. Those files are irreplaceable.

Why Your Prints Matter (And Where NOT to Print Them)

Skip the Drugstore

We know Costco and Walgreens are convenient, but here’s the truth: they’ll make your gorgeous wedding photos look ordinary. Their machines automatically change your colors, and the quality just isn’t there for something this important.

Go Professional Instead

Professional labs use better paper, better inks, and they won’t mess with your photographer’s careful color work. Your photos will look exactly like they’re supposed to – vibrant, sharp, and stunning.

Where to print:

• Ask your photographer for lab recommendations
• Look for “professional photo labs” online
• Many ship directly to you
• Yes, they cost more, but your wedding photos are worth it

Keeping Your Photos Safe Forever

The Simple Backup Rule

Here’s an easy way to never lose your photos:

• Keep them on your computer
• Put a copy on an external hard drive
• Upload them to cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox)

Why This Matters

Computers crash. Hard drives fail. Houses flood. With copies in three places, your memories are protected no matter what happens.

Getting the Right Print Sizes

The Cropping Problem

Your camera takes rectangular photos, but print sizes are all different shapes. This means parts of your image might get cut off when you print.

Common print sizes and what happens:

• 4×6 prints: Usually perfect, no cropping needed
• 5×7 prints: Might crop a little from the sides
• 8×10 prints: Will definitely crop from the sides
• Square prints: Will crop from top/bottom or sides

How to Avoid Disasters

Before ordering prints, most labs will show you a preview. Look at it! Make sure important parts (like faces) aren’t getting cut off.

Simple Rules for Amazing Wedding Photo Care

Do This Right Away

1. Download everything to your computer immediately
2. Make a backup on an external drive or cloud storage
3. Order a few test prints from a professional lab to see the quality
4. Create albums to organize your favorites

Never Do This

• Don’t store photos only on your phone
• Don’t use your originals for editing (make copies first)
• Don’t repeatedly save the same JPEG file (it loses quality each time)
• Don’t wait years to print them – do it while you’re excited about them!

Color and Your Prints: Why It Matters

What You See vs. What You Get

Your computer screen shows colors differently than prints. This is normal! Professional photographers account for this, which is another reason to use the labs they recommend.

Getting the Best Color

• Trust your photographer’s editing
• Use their recommended printing labs
• Don’t over-edit photos on your phone before printing
• If colors seem way off, ask your photographer for advice

Making Your Investment Last

Smart Storage

• Create folders by year and event
• Name them clearly: “2024_Wedding_SmithJones”
• Keep originals separate from edited versions
• Check your backups once a year to make sure they still work

Display Tips

• Frame your favorites with UV-protective glass
• Keep prints away from direct sunlight
• Consider a beautiful wedding album from your photographer
• Print different sizes for different spaces in your home

Quick Start Checklist

Right now, go do these three things:

✓ Backup your photos to at least two other places ✓ Find a professional printing lab (ask your photographer!) ✓ Pick your top 10 favorites and order prints this week

The Bottom Line: Wedding Photo Care That Lasts

Your wedding photos are priceless memories that deserve proper wedding photo care. Treat them that way! Spend a little extra on professional printing, keep them backed up safely, and don’t wait to enjoy them. Following these wedding photo care guidelines ensures your images will be treasures for your family for generations.

Remember: your photographer didn’t just capture your day – they’re also your best resource for getting the most from these images. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions about printing, storage, or anything else!

Ready to capture your perfect wedding day? Contact Tiffani Lear Photography to discuss your wedding photography needs and ensure your memories are preserved beautifully.