I asked a group of friends earlier this week, “If your house is burning down, what is the first thing that you will grab to save?”

Almost everyone said “Pictures” regarding to print photographs and albums of them and their loved ones. Irreplaceable memories of moments that will never reoccur was said to be one of the first things to save from destruction. (Whew! Good to know that!)

So then I asked why. “Why are prints that important to you?” and here is where I received many different answers. For some, it’s the oldest (and only) heirloom they have from their ancestors and something that they want to pass down to future generations. For others, it’s a form of custom art that makes their house a home, a welcoming sight to see when they first walk into the door after a long day. For us, it’s a personal reflection and constant reminder of who we are, where we’ve been and why we continue to do what we do every day.

For us all, prints are our treasure. A printed portrait will show the world who you are. It’s says “I was here. I lived, I loved and I am cared for, enough to have my face displayed right here.” At first glance, a printed family portrait on your shelf at home can show a guest that you truly value the love for your family and respect your personal image enough to showcase them. Digital images are convenient but they just can not compete with the emotional impact that an actual portrait on your shelf can convey.