What Should I do With My Family Pictures
What to Do with Your Family Pictures and Why They Shouldn't Collect Dust
Creative ways to Preserve your Family’s Memories
Albums
Table Top or Wall Displays
Gifts for Loved Ones
Home Decor
Incorporate Family Photos into Traditions
Relive the Memories
Read on for more tips and ways to display your family images!
Family pictures are more than just snapshots; they're treasured memories frozen in time, capturing the essence of special moments shared with loved ones. However, all too often, these incredible memories end up buried in digital folders on computers or stored away on hard drives, collecting virtual dust and fading from memory. Here are some ideas of what you can and should do with your family pictures when you get them back from your family photographer and why they deserve to be showcased and enjoyed, rather than staying unseen.
Create a Photo Album
One of the most classic and tangible ways to preserve and showcase your family pictures is by creating a photo album. Choose your favorite images from your photoshoot and arrange them in a beautifully designed album or lay flat book. Not only does this allow you to relive the moments captured in the photos, but it also provides a physical keepsake that can be passed down through generations. I’ve started a tradition with my own kiddos, and we go through an album at bedtime or watch short videos of them as babies after story time. They think it’s absolutely amazing reliving those memories (even if they’ve only been told the memory and can’t remember themselves). Want to see more family images in my Syracuse studio?
Display Them Around Your Home
Your family photos deserve to be displayed and enjoyed, not hidden away on a hard drive. Choose your favorite images from your photoshoot and print them in various sizes to display around your home. Whether it's creating a gallery wall in your living room, hanging framed prints in the hallway, or placing tabletop frames on shelves and mantels, displaying family pictures in your home adds warmth, personality, and a sense of connection to your space.
Share Them with Loved Ones
Family pictures are meant to be shared, so don't hesitate to spread the joy by sharing your favorite images with friends and family. Whether through social media, email, or printed photo cards, sharing family pictures allows you to connect with loved ones near and far, keeping them updated on the latest happenings in your family's life. You can also consider creating digital photo albums or slideshows to share with extended family members who may not be able to visit in person.
Use Them in Personalized Gifts
Your images can be thoughtful and personalized gifts that are sure to be treasured by loved ones. Consider using your favorite pictures from your photoshoot to create custom photo gifts such as calendars, framed prints, picture folios, or canvas prints. These personalized gifts allow you to share the joy and memories captured in your family pictures while also giving loved ones a meaningful and heartfelt keepsake that they can cherish for years to come.
Incorporate Them into Home Decor
Get creative with how you incorporate family pictures into your home decor to add a personal touch to your space. Consider using family pictures to create custom home decor items such as throw pillows, wall tapestries, or even photo coasters. You can also use family pictures as inspiration for DIY projects such as photo collages, decoupage trays, or memory boards, adding a unique and personal flair to your home decor.
Family Photos on display using Acrylic Blocks
Rotate and Update Displays Regularly
Keep your family pictures feeling fresh and current by rotating and updating your displays regularly. Swap out framed prints, refresh your gallery walls, and update your photo albums with new images to reflect the latest milestones and memories. By keeping your family pictures on constant rotation, you ensure that they remain a prominent and cherished part of your home decor, rather than fading into the background. Another thing to remember, it’s incredibly important and satisfying for your kiddos to see themselves on your walls. They get a kick out of seeing these memories around your home and you get to see their eyes light up reliving them!
Back Them Up and Preserve Them
While displaying and sharing family pictures is essential, it's also crucial to preserve them for future generations. Make sure to back up your digital files regularly to multiple locations, including external hard drives, cloud storage services, and archival-quality DVDs or USB drives. This ensures that your precious memories are protected from loss or damage and can be passed down your children grow and begin their own families.
Incorporate Them into Family Traditions
Integrate family pictures into your family traditions and rituals to make them even more meaningful and memorable. Consider using family pictures as part of your holiday celebrations, such as creating custom photo ornaments for your Christmas tree or incorporating family picture scavenger hunts into your annual reunions. By incorporating family pictures into your traditions, you create lasting memories and connections that strengthen your family bond.
Reflect and Reconnect
Finally, take the time to reflect on the memories captured in your family pictures and use them as an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and celebrate the moments you've shared together. Whether flipping through a photo album with your children, reminiscing with grandparents over coffee, or sharing stories with friends during a get-together, family pictures have the power to evoke laughter, tears, and heartfelt conversations that bring you closer as a family.
Wondering what to expect during your family photos? I’ve written a blog post about everything that goes into family sessions and how I prepare you for the best EVER photos!