Your Guide to Heirloom Photo Art: Fine Art Paper versus Deep Matte Paper for Family Photo Sessions in Bend, Oregon

A framed 5”×7” Deep Matte Print

Printed family photos are more than snapshots for your home — they’re heirlooms you’ll pass down to your kids.

The paper you choose shapes how those memories feel, look, and age. Professional labs give you prints that truly last, and Giclée printing takes that further for high resolution and enhanced color range images. Giclée prints have crisp detail and vibrant tones that keep your images feeling full of life and love.

My two favorite papers in the Giclée lineup are Fine Art and Deep Matte from the professional print lab Millers Professional Imaging *. Read on for a breakdown of the  characteristics between these two photo paper types and tips for how to decide which paper is best for your photo art when printing pictures from your family photo session.

Deep Matte Paper Print (left) is perfect for newborn photos, while Fine Art Paper (right) adds a classic feel to documentary family photos.

Fine Art Paper for Family Photo Prints

Fine Art paper is matte with a subtle texture, making it look a bit like watercolor paper. It is the heaviest of all Giclée papers and prints on the warmer side compared to other Giclée prints.

Due to the natural warmth to it, black and white photos printed on Fine Art paper can have an odd color cast to them (see example below). The texture to the paper makes the printed surface more delicate, so be careful when handling to avoid scratching the image. This makes Fine Art prints a beautiful option for framed wall art that won’t be handled often.

Hot take: Fine Art photo paper is best for color printing only.

Because of the natural texture to the paper, Fine Art prints look lovely paired with film photos or digital images mimicking the fine grain of film photography for a classic feel. If your family photos have a nostalgic theme or are inspired by film photography, fine art paper can elevate that look in a really meaningful way.

An example of black and white imagery on Fine Art photo paper to show it’s natural warmth.

Deep Matte Photo Paper for Family Photo Prints

Deep matte paper does not have lustre (gloss). Its surface is smooth and soft to the touch - with almost a very fine velvety feel to it. Deep matte paper creates photos with rich colors and pure whites - making it a solid choice for printing in color or black and white.

A bonus of Deep Matte paper? It resists visible fingerprints, but as a photo should still be handled carefully. This is your family’s photo art, after all.

Hot Take: Deep Matte photo paper is incredibly versatile.

Deep matte paper renders black and white images beautifully, and gives a softness to color images while maintaining clarity. Deep matte paper is a solid choice for any professionally photographed image. If you’re unsure what to choose, this is often the safest option for a mix of color and black and white images from your session.

Fine Art Paper versus Deep Matte Paper at a glance

Best photo paper for texture: Fine Art

Best photo paper for durability: Deep Matte

Best photo paper for black & white imagery: Deep Matte

Best photo paper for for film-inspired images: Fine Art

The good news? You get quality prints either way with your treasured family photos.

Neither paper is better than the other, but they do embody different characteristics. Fine Art paper brings warmth and texture to the print, giving it an almost handmade feel. Deep Matte paper is luxuriously soft with remarkable color and detail accuracy. Both options are connected to my client galleries because of their beautiful, heirloom-worthy appearance and quality.

How do you choose which paper is right for your home?

When deciding between Fine Art and Deep Matte, it can help to think about how you want to experience your photos day to day. If you’re drawn to a more artistic, tactile feel—something that looks like it belongs in a gallery or framed on a wall—Fine Art paper brings a softness and texture that feels unique.

On the other hand, if you’re envisioning flipping through albums with your kids, rotating prints in frames, or creating something that will be handled often, Deep Matte paper offers a durability and versatility that makes everyday enjoyment easy. The smooth finish keeps images looking clean and true to life, whether you’re printing in color or black and white. For this reason, albums purchased through my client’s galleries are only offered in deep matte photo paper.

Both Fine Art and Deep Matte Giclée paper can be mounted on pressed photo boards for durability and non-slip within frames (see above for thickness comparison between non-mounted print and mounted print). It adds thickness to the image (as you can see in the photo), and must be framed - unlike prints without the board, which can be stored loosely.

There’s no wrong choice here—just what feels most like you and how your family lives with photos.

If you’re unsure about which paper to choose, I am always ready to answer questions and guide my clients through these choices.

Your photos shouldn’t just live in digital nowhere - they should become part of your home where you can see your memories everyday.

If you’re interested in learning more about my lifestyle family photography sessions in Bend, Oregon sessions that come with digital images and print credit, I’d love to chat with you about your vision. 

*Millers Professional Imaging is the largest professional print lab in the United States. It grew from small printing roots in 1939 to the big photo printing organization it is today. Millers only accepts orders from verified professional photographers, but has a public-facing sister company called Mpix Photo Lab.

Hello, I’m Elise.

I’d love to work with you.

With relaxed sessions that focus on real connection, I bring a calm approach that makes taking photos feel easy. I specialize in storytelling imagery in your home, favorite local spots, and scenic Central Oregon, guiding you through planning and styling so you can simply show up and be present. When you work with me, you walk away with images that are meant to be printed and held onto for years to come.