So far, all my photography hints have been different techniques for your camera. Over the next couple weeks, I’m going to show you fun ways to display those photos (especially with Mother’s Day coming up, hint hint).
If you guys are like me, you’d love to have these awesome walls full of expertly framed photos, but you have a crippling fear of doing it wrong. I’ve lived in this place for six years, and we only hung photos on the wall a YEAR ago. CRIPPLING FEAR, people.
So, here’s an easy way to figure out what photos are right for your home, in a very non-committal way:
Your refrigerator!
I have a pretty stainless steel fridge where only the sides are magnetic. OR SO I THOUGHT. I found out that the top left part of the fridge is magnetic. This is perfect for two reasons – first, our fridge is situated in a way that the sides aren’t usable for displays, and second, the magnetic part is high enough that my little tornado Annabel can’t reach it and destroy it.
I took down Annie’s scribbles and got to work. I picked photos I hadn’t printed before – some of Annie, one of Maddie, and a family picture that even included Rigby.
I carefully placed them together like a puzzle – just because it’s a fridge display didn’t mean I didn’t want it to look perfect. I’m so happy with the result..
I used different kinds of HP photo paper to create this collage – 4×6 glossy, 5×7 matte, 5×7 super gloss, and 8 1/2 x 11 matte. I have to say, when it comes to photo paper it’s REALLY tempting to go for the cheap no-name stuff. I’ve done it. And you know what? It doesn’t look as nice. If you’re putting photos on display, you want them to look glorious and vibrant. Photo paper isn’t the right thing to cheap out on.
I’m looking forward to changing up the photos all the time…and in a few months, I’ll have a bunch of great photos to *gulp* put into frames and hang on the wall!
Want more tips on displaying family photos? You can find them here thanks to HP, my awesome photo partners.
Nicole says:
That picture of Maddie is stunning, her eyes are so crystal clear. Not that the pictures of Annie and family aren’t stunning as well.
Love the display!
Kim says:
Maddie – those eyes! Those brilliant eyes!
Kim says:
Looks great! Ditto about Maddie’s eyes…just gorgeous.
And I am relieved to know that I am not the only one who has trouble hanging stuff on the walls. We have been in our house for 5 1/2 years and the walls are still fairly barren. And still plain old shell white save for the master bedroom, our daughter’s room, and one other bedroom. Sad, sad, sad.
Dawn @ What's Around the Next Bend? says:
Annnie’s expressions just CRACK me up!!
Beautiful family pics
devon says:
I wanted to add that its also great to find different magnets to showcase your photos. I have some retro soap ads from the 50’s, 2×3 in size.
just jen says:
currently, my favorites are the groupings of shots taken right in a row. (not a photog, so my lingo might be lame-o). lots of bite size groovy goodness fit for an 8×10. all the visual love without the clutter. tidy.
i’m loving on a bunch i took of my girl before school one day found. here:
http://blergityblerg.blogspot.com/2011/04/voguein.html
hints, tips, and recommendations welcome. thanks for looking.
Heather says:
I want to attempt a whole photowall ala Kelle Hampton
And you’re on the money about cheap paper vs quality. I printed stuff on dollar store paper when I started my oldest’s scrapbook and most of those pictures have faded
Liewilyn Baynosa says:
Its very nice to see a family picture. Posted on the wall of your living room… nice shots…
Jenn says:
I love your pics…especially the one of Maddie & the one of Annie sitting in her chair with her blue t-shirt on. We are HUGE picture people here
– our frig is fu;;;
Looking forward to see more of your pictures.
HAPPY EASTER TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY!!
Love,
Jenn & Family
mel says:
They look great. We use our fridge to display pics also using those magnetic photo sleeves.
quick question….what hp printer do you use?
Rumour Miller says:
I love having photos on my walls. The collage frames are my favourite and I have one full of photos from Disney World and one full of photos from a family vacation we took last summer.
The girls love looking at them!
Great fridge photos! Beautiful family.
Tricia says:
We are the same way! We have lived in our house for five years and it took us four and a half to hang pics! Five to paint a wall! And there still aren’t a lot of pics up…it really is crippling!
Lawrence@CreditDonkey says:
Great photos, the way the pictures are displayed is well-portrayed. You had a great idea where to put the photos so that the kids won’t be able to reach them and at the same time having the spot that is really good to look at. Kudos!