As a New Mexico Portrait Photographer, I advocate for the importance of printing photographs rather than leaving them to sit on a forgotten hard drive or on the cloud.
Filling our homes with mementos of our most treasured moments is something that I think is important, and chances are, if you’ve invested in professional portraits, you probably feel the same way.

But, with so many photo printing options out there, you may be wondering which option is the best.

In this article, I’ll lay out the best printing options to ensure you get the most out of your investment.

Ask Your Photographer if They Offer Prints
The absolute best way to print your photos is through the photographer who took them for you. If they offer prints, they will be able to work directly with an image lab to print the photos with the proper colors and dimensions and ensure the best results. Plus, purchasing through the photographer helps their business, and is always appreciated!
Mpix
Mpix is an online photo service that offers quality photo printing services at affordable, direct to consumer pricing. I recommend Mpix over other services because their quality is fantastic. You may pay a little more through Mpix than you will through some of the cheaper options, but they difference in quality is worth it. (Just make sure you have a print release from your photographer before printing through any third party photo lab).
Shutterfly
If you are on a tight budget, Shutterfly is the way to go. The quality isn’t the best- you’ll notice that the colors and contrast are usually off, and that the photos will sometimes look darker than they are supposed to, but if you’re just looking for small prints, greeting cards, or specialty items like mugs and calendars, Shutterfly is the place to go. If you sign up for their mailing list, you’ll get lots of freebies and discounts year-round, so it’s a great service to have in your back pocket when you’re in a pinch.
Places to Avoid
I do not recommend printing at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Costco, or any other big box store photo lab. These places do not usually have the correct color profiles for professional photos, and the results are usually pretty terrible. Please don’t waste your money. You’re much better off going through your photographer or through the above mentioned photo printing services.

Professional photography is an investment in the way your most treasured moments in life will be remembered. I hope you have found this article helpful and that you’ll print your photos as soon as you can! You deserve it!

Hi, I’m Cheyenne!

I’m a homeschooling mom, gardening enthusiast, animal lover, and portrait photographer located in the small town of Belen, New Mexico. I proudly serve the families of the greater Albuquerque Metro area and create beautiful, unique, and timeless portraits for families, children, and pets.

If you and your family love having fun and showing up as your uniquely awesome selves, then I think we are going to get along great. I can help you create memorable portraits that stand out from the rest, and that you will treasure as the days turn to years and the years turn to decades.

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