Digital Negative vs Enhanced Edit – What’s that mean?

I have gotten a few questions about what exactly is a digital negative. So let’s take a closer look at what that means.

Back in the days of film when you dropped off that 35mm (or for me… 110 film) with every roll that was developed you received a copy of the negative. This was used for archival purposes and if you needed to obtain a print you had to have the negative.

A Digital Negative is simply this: The unedited photographic digital capture of subjects in color or black and white.

For those clients that do have digital negatives included with their package they are, as needed, balanced for color and exposure.

Below is an example of a Digital Negative:

Digital Negative
Digital Negative

So how does that compare to an Enhanced Edit and WHY are you charging extra for that?

Well because capturing those amazing moments is just a part of what I do. Transforming those images into feelings, thoughts and ideas takes time and vision. I am only asking that for the hard work and long hours that I spend making that image perfectly representative of what I love and cherish that I be fairly compensated.

I as an artist, woman, wife and mother choose the images that most speak to me and that show the most emotion and feelings from our time together.

Below is an example of an Enhanced Edit:

Enhanced Edit
Enhanced Edit

Those days of film have long since passed us by. But it is very important to understand the importance of archiving digital files regardless if it is a digital negative or an enhanced edit. I urge you to print your most favorite images, show them off and display them proudly in your home. Keep your archival process updated as fast as there are advancements in technology.

These files hold your most treasured memories. If they are there unprotected, they can and will be lost forever.