Top 5 Ways To Use Your Family Portraits

One of the reasons I started my photography business is because of how important portraits are to me. Often times pictures can be overlooked and underrated. You may just assume you can snap a shot on your iphone and instantly upload it to Facebook and you’re good to go. I think if used correctly, portraits can make a powerful difference in your home. 

Facebook and social media are great places to store your photos because they are automatically time stamped and easy to access no matter where you are. However, what if something were to happen to Facebook or Instagram? The same can be true for physical copies. What if something happened to a physical copy of a photo? Either way I suggest having multiple copies of photos stored in various locations just in case.

The message behind this post, isn’t to make sure you never have to leave your photos behind, but more so, to inspire you to use your new family portraits in a way you may never have thought of. Here are five great ways to get the most out of your family portraits.

Blow It Up

If you have a great family photo, why not get the most out of it by blowing it up. Bigger is always better, right? Okay this may not necessarily be the case, but if done right, a blown up picture makes a great statement in your home.

Most people get their photos printed to put in a 5×7 frame, but I think there is something so great about going above and beyond and blowing the photo up. Artwork, and mirrors are very popular when it comes to filling up blank spaces, but you can only have so many mirrors, and why not use your family portraits as a piece of art?

I recommend hanging the picture on a giant wall either in your family room or your living room. I believe that what often times makes a house feel like a home is when there are family photos. A home becomes a home when there are memories spent there with loved ones.

If you know ahead of time that you are going to blow up this family photo, I would pay special attention to the clothing that you choose to wear for that photoshoot. Make sure that the color scheme of your outfits also coordinate with the color scheme of your home decor. For example, you most likely wouldn’t want to blow up a holiday family portrait because red sweaters and fuzzy coats may not look the best hanging on your wall in the middle of June.

Photo Album or Book

If you wanted to keep your family portraits more private and personal to you, a photo album or printed book is a perfect alternative. Photo albums have been around for a very long time and I believe they aren’t going anywhere. Even with the popularity of Facebook, having all of your photos kept in one special spot and decorating it if you choose to do so, is irreplaceable.  

I remember how much I valued the photo albums that were created for me during my childhood and since then I have tried to carry on the tradition.

I feel as though decorating and creating photo albums is definitely becoming more of a past time, and simply because they are time consuming. Picking out the background paper, cutting the pictures, adding labels or stickers and all of the additional things you can do to it takes a lot of effort.

It’s definitely much easier to simply click the upload button on Facebook, but the thought and personalized touch that goes behind creating a photo album speaks volumes. If you just simply aren’t impressed with your decorating or crafting abilities, there are multiple other ways you can create a book or photo album without touching a pair of scissors or tape.

Companies like Shutterfly have made your lives as easy as possible. All you have to do is still click that upload button but instead your photos are printed into a photo album type book. This alternative gives you the best of both worlds.

Wall Decor Photo Collage

A photo collage is a great way to display your family portrait collection. A photo collage is a great way to get representation from multiple family members. If you have a large family or extended family and it’s important for you to include everyone then this photo collage will be your best bet.

A photo collage takes a little bit more effort in terms of design, and picture frame hanging, so make sure you are up for a little bit of a challenge. If you know that you are interested in a photo collage, but aren’t sure where you should begin, I recommend heading to Pinterest and finding inspiration.

Are you going for the random but organized look or do you want all of the your frames lined up symmetrically? Do you want to have all matching frames or do you want to have all different kinds of frames? Do you want to have all of the same size photos or a variety?

And maybe you have no idea the answers to any of these questions, but once you check out Pinterest and find your inspiration, that should clear up any of your uncertainty.

Picture Frames

If you’re more of the traditional type, then stick to your guns and go that route. Print your 5×7 photos and frame them, however make sure these photos are high quality and strong family portraits. If these photos are going to be displayed, they should be the best of the best photos.

If you don’t think that you have any high quality photos, I encourage you to contact me to schedule a photoshoot. High quality photos are irreplaceable and they capture a moment in time that could otherwise be easily forgotten.

Holiday Cards

Tis the season! Family portraits aren’t just for home decor, but for sharing the holidays with your friends and family. A Christmas card is one of the best ways to wish everyone close to you a happy holiday and keep in touch with people you may have lost regular connection with.

Christmas cards are fun to receive every year and see how much certain families have grown and changed over just one year. A Christmas card is another great way to timestamp moments.