The Power of Paper

Recently, I was with a group of people, talking about travel, and photography. Someone asked about my work, and instead of pulling out my phone and showing them my website or instagram. I pulled out this little photo book instead. Sometimes the web can separate the photographer from their work. It was great to see how people really appreciated the book. How they shared it with each other, pointed out to look at a certain pages, and asked questions. Like the object in their hands was something new and fresh. It really cemented in my mind the power of something tangible, the power of paper.

I love printed photos, and I print them when I can. It makes them more real to me. I miss the days when I would show a printed portfolio to people. The back and forth that goes along with showing something tangible in their hands. Its just about the photography no machines to get in the way. Flipping back and forth between pages, comparing, pointing out things in the images, asking questions. It makes the experience more a moment of sharing something together than just clicking or swiping.

Yes, a little old fashioned, but the experience of a book and sharing a moment together, technology free is priceless. Don’t get me wrong I love using technology to create images, but showing something on your phone or tablet doesn’t compare to the magic of holding the images in your hands.