Photos help us relive the memories that make us who we are; through them, we can reflect on wonderful times and seek inspiration or joy through them in the present. People interviewed said printed photos have a tangible impact on their present-day relationships, prompting 28% of millennials and 29% of Gen Z to make plans to see someone sooner.

“When we recall meaningful experience, we reconstruct it”, Dr Ravi Gill continues, “A photo can remind us how much someone means to us…that feeling can turn into something practical: sending a picture, picking up the phone or arranging a catch-up.”

Printed photos have a tangible effect on us, our history, and our relationships. This shows that printed photographs are more than just reflection. It connects the start with the now.”The memory gives us a reason to reach out and an easy way to start the conversation", Dr. Ravi Gill shares.

Printed photos let us interact with memory physically. Imagine standing on a jetty, retaking an old photo of your parents on a boating trip from decades earlier. Recapturing that moment your partner said ‘I do’ ten years later. Recreating a goofy photo of a party – cake around your face. These are fun and heartfelt ways to use printed photos to take a walk down memory lane.

Printed photos bring memories to life, and their tactile nature can help you form a strong emotional connection. Imagine looking at a select few printed photos instead of a gallery of thousands. With a printed photo, you can remain in the moment, free from the distractions of digital platforms or photo fatigue. It’s easier to interact with a few key physical photos compared to a gallery full of selfies. This gives you time, without the distractions, to be able to exist in a feeling.

“These photos connect our past and present selves. They remind us of relationships and experiences that have shaped us; that sense of continuity can support our mental and emotional wellbeing.” – Dr. Ravi Gill

Almost half of adults interviewed (49%) said they would be deeply affected by losing a treasured photo. In our study, 28% said they would be very upset, and 19% would feel devastated, describing it as “like losing a part of my history”. Only 4% said it wouldn’t really bother them.

Photos are tied to our lived experience. Losing that can be difficult. Photos are powerful – they evoke emotions we couldn’t access otherwise. Sometimes this is for happiness (29%); other times, reflection (25%), pride (21%) or connection to loved ones (39%). Scrolling past a picture of your child’s first day at school is heart-warming, but holding a framed picture and reminiscing about the day is something altogether more powerful.

Sometimes, it’s not about creating photos for your own home, but rather gifting them to loved ones. Photo printing can create a meaningful gift, a shared memory of time spent together in a long-distance relationship, or a snapshot of your favourite moments with your family as kids. Gifts like these often carry meaning and emotion, whether it’s for your grandparents or grandchildren, or for decorating a new home.

With so many ways to print and share photos, you can always give a cherished gift even when the mantlepiece is full.

“An old photo gives us a starting point. We might recognise a face, an outfit or a place, and suddenly remember other details; who was there, what made us laugh or what life was like at the time. That can make us want to find more pictures and fill in the story. Sometimes we’re drawn to the person we miss, or a time when we felt happy, close to others or more carefree.“ – Dr. Ravi Gill concludes.