Drowning in digitals?
Are you overwhelmed with 1000s of photos, from professional shots to candid cell phone photos, and struggling to decide which ones to frame or how to display them all?
You're definitely not alone in this!
Many of my clients love digital files from their day in the life photography session along with their personal cell phone pictures.
But let's face it, this often means a bunch of memories are just floating in the cloud, leaving our homes a bit empty of these printed moments.
We both understand the importance of printing out those photos!
I'm really nervous about the computer crashing and one day ALL those digitals will be gone.
Being a military family and moving almost every summer there for awhile I needed a way to secure these photos. I know a computer, a hard drive, a cell phone wont last forever and we have been putting a LOT of faith into them.
That's why I've come up with some really cool and versatile ways to showcase your photos, fitting any style you have at home!
Here's the plan
- Loose Leaf Prints
This is one people don’t often consider now that everything is digital!
You can get images printed on normal paper, thicker paper (like a canvas), or even fancy paper with rough edges that look really cool. Display the loose leaf prints in a frame, on a little stand, or just lean them against something on a shelf.
If you love changing things up in your house, these are perfect. Plus, if you move a lot, they're easy to pack and take with you.
2.Photo Album
They're not just for weddings anymore!
Albums are fantastic for birth photos, vacation snaps, and lifestyle family sessions. They tell a story, don't take up much space, and are perfect for those of us who prefer a cleaner look without too many photos on display.
My favorite thing about using albums to display family photos is they can double as interactive decor pieces. Sure they can go in a drawer for safe keeping, but if you display them open or on a coffee table this invites family and guests to flip through and relive those special moments.
And the best part? Kids love looking through them, and it's a fantastic way for them to connect with family history and stories.
3. Statement Wall Portrait
Did you know that a large, statement wall portrait can actually make a room look bigger? It's true! When you choose one large portrait instead of many smaller ones, it creates a focal point and gives the illusion of more space.
Pro tip: If you hang it a little lower than usual, around eye level, it makes the room feel cozier and more connected to the photo. If you want to make the room seem taller, hang it higher.
Where to print my photos?
I use two different companies and one for my print lab is WHCC and they're fantastic within a week I'm holding them in my hand again. But that's not going to help you much b/c it's for the pros.
Here's what WILL help you.
Artifact Uprising, I use the everyday prints from an app on my phone. They make this sooooo easy and user friendly. It's a card stock vibe and not the photo glossy paper which is really nice because I'm not really worried about my kids holding them and getting finger prints smudges isn't a thing with this.
Click here to learn more about Artifact Uprising's Everyday Prints.
2 ways to move the digitals
4.Chatbooks
Let’s be honest, creating a full professional album for every single life event can be a LOT.
Not to mention, sometimes you just want photos in an album from your day to day life.
Basically, Chatbooks takes your social media or phone photos and allows you to print them into small albums plus add captions (or use captions from social media.)
What people really like about this is a monthly subscription option called Monthbooks
and it's only $15.00 to have them make a book for the month of your favorites and mailed to your door. Click here to learn more about Chatbooks.
5. mysocialbook.com
This is one that I used often and love so much for EASY they do all the work and it's mailed to me; it's called my social book. It's linked to your fb or instagram and does ALL the work for you. You go in and select your date range and it will gather the year and make you a family keepsake.
We look at ours a lot and getting off facebook this is the one thing I'll miss a lot. B/c dang it now I have to do the design and everything. So if you're an over sharer person on social media THIS IS FOR YOU!
Digital frame
Skylight Frame | Digital
My sister bought our mom this frame for Christmas a few years ago and they have it running all the time.
What's cool is that we can email into the frame from anywhere and it plays a slideshow of everything.
It makes us smile every time.
Pro tip: This might seem random, but you could even have a digital frame dedicated to showing off your kid’s artwork! If you’ve ever tossed a piece of art your kid made because you didn’t have the space to hang or store it, this is a great way to keep it alive and make your kids feel special, too.
At the end of the day you're probably the only one seeing your digitals. Printing them gives new life to the memories and makes those feel important, seen, valued, and special. I know my kids LOVE it when I hand them loose prints or change the wall gallery. It's like hide and seek sometimes I change them out when they're not around to see if they notice.
THEY DO EVERY SINGLE TIME TOO!
Hearing the kids tell the stories of the photos to people that come over and look is my favorite thing.
So, at the end of the day.... it's completely worth it to be in the frame with them and get those printed off. Your worth it, their worth it, and generations after now will love seeing them.
If you're ready to update some family photos here in Fort Sill, Oklahoma I'm here ready for you!
