As photographers, we often focus on capturing the perfect shot, editing it meticulously, and delivering polished galleries to our clients. But in the midst of digital workflows and online galleries, there’s one thing that consistently surprises and delights wedding clients: instant prints.
In the world of wedding photography, the focus is often on creating a perfect gallery of polished images that the couple will cherish for a lifetime. But there’s something powerful about delivering a slice of that joy in the moment. Using a small $99 handheld photo printer, such as a Fuji Instax printer or the Canon Selphy Square, to create instant prints on the wedding day is a simple gesture that can elevate your service and leave a lasting impression on your clients. This practice brings a tangible, emotional connection to your work and makes the couple’s experience unforgettable.
I started this practice a few years back, and the client response has been overwhelmingly positive. Don’t be surprised if the gift of a well-timed print of a particularly heartfelt image has the ability to draw out a few tears from your clients or their guests.
If you want to be more than just the photographer who took great wedding photos, offering an excellent experience to your clients is the best thing you can do. It's not hard to see why small gestures like gifting physical prints during appropriate moments can go a long way toward that goal.
The Magic of Instant Prints
In an era of delayed gratification, where couples wait weeks for their wedding gallery, holding a tangible photo in their hands on their wedding day feels extraordinary. The nostalgia of Polaroid-style prints combined with the emotional high of their wedding day creates a moment of pure joy.
Weddings are highly emotional events, and couples are often overwhelmed with excitement, nerves, and joy. Offering them a few beautifully printed photos during the event adds a layer of immediacy to their experience.
These prints become physical keepsakes that capture the essence of their day while it’s still unfolding. Whether it’s a candid shot of their first dance or a quiet moment between them during sunset, these prints remind them of the beauty they’re living in real time.
Adding instant prints to your workflow also shows a level of care that resonates deeply with clients. Photography is an inherently personal service, and this thoughtful extra step demonstrates your commitment to going beyond the expected. It’s not just about taking stunning photos; it’s about the experience you provide. When you hand a couple a set of prints in a small envelope or frame, you create a moment of surprise and delight that sets you apart. Clients often hold onto these prints long after their wedding, sometimes even more dearly than the larger, curated albums they’ll receive weeks later.
The effect of instant prints doesn’t stop at the couple. These small tokens often make their way around the reception, shared among friends and family who marvel at the immediacy and intimacy of the images. This can also create buzz about your work, as guests who see and appreciate your attention to detail are likely to remember you for future events. Social media, too, comes into play here—many guests snap and share these prints, tagging the couple and, more importantly, your photography business, giving you exposure beyond the event itself.
From a business perspective, incorporating instant prints into your practice is a low-cost, high-value addition. It doesn’t require a significant investment to purchase a Fuji Instax Wide printer like the one I use and stock up on film.
The process of printing and delivering a handful of key moments is quick and doesn’t disrupt your workflow, particularly if you’ve planned ahead or have a few moments of downtime. Even during weddings where I am the only shooter, I have managed to beam a couple of highlights to my phone via Fuji’s transfer and control app, run a quick polish job on them with Lightroom Mobile, and send them to the printer, all without any wires involved. These small efforts can lead to happier clients, glowing reviews, and more referrals, all of which are invaluable in growing your wedding photography business.
The beauty of this practice lies in its simplicity. While so much of modern photography is focused on the digital, instant prints bring the tactile back into focus. They offer couples a piece of their story to hold in their hands and share with their loved ones before the day is even over. For photographers looking to create meaningful connections with their clients and stand out in a competitive industry, instant prints are a timeless, thoughtful way to leave a lasting impression.
While I don't personally get it. I have seen it done at parties, and people love it. I've seen people bring this Polaroid style photo printer, I didn't inquire what brand it was, but it seemed to be trying to mimic the 80s Polaroid-instant shots and that you would need to wait a bit for the picture to appear on the paper. (They insisted that shaking it too much was not actually a thing, and that it would ruin the picture...) Most pictures, if not all, that came out of it were poor quality and not keepers of any sort... So as a photographer who does go for the perfect shot and edit meticulously, these instant images, were kinda against my religion. But yes, I see why people enjoyed them, at least momentarily. What would they do with them after the gathering? I doubt much. Probably sit in a drawer.