I remember growing up visiting my grandparents and flipping through old photo albums. My sister and I each had our own that we would eagerly check to see if they were updated with new photos.
I thought about that today as I was looking for same-day photo printing for some new picture frames that I ordered a few weeks ago. They still have the stock images that came with the frames.
It was a different time back then when we did not have digital cameras and the ability to take and delete as many photos as we want. I remember as a child dropping off the film canisters at the local supermarket or pharmacy to get them developed.
I recall even a few years ago many retail locations still had the option to drop off your film or had stations where you could upload your photos to get printed. Some still do, but you do not realize how many no longer offer it until you start looking for them.
I understand why many of these retailers are phasing their photo centers out. I am the perfect example. I cannot remember the last time I had photographs printed at the store. It has to be years. I am sure much of society is similar where they rarely or infrequently sent their photos to be printed at a photo center.
One thing digital photography will never be able to replace is the feeling of holding a photograph in your hand. It has a way of taking you back to that moment in ways that looking at photos on social media or on your phone cannot.
When was the last time you had photos printed?
Joe Gullo