Showcase your photos and enjoy them every day: 9 tips from a Los Angeles Family Photographer

As a Los Angeles family photographer, I – like many others in my field – harp on the importance of having your photos printed. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is the fact that you’ve spent good money and time to get these photos taken, so why let them hide away on your computer? 

First, some reasons why you should display your photos

One of the biggest honors of being a Los Angeles family photographer is that I get to create art that has meaning. Displaying the family photos you have taken strengthens family bonds, preserves memories and encourages gratitude. It’s a visual record for your kids of where they came from, and studies have even shown that displaying family photos can give your children a stronger sense of identity and belonging.

Plus, it makes your house feel more like a home, and who doesn’t want those comfy cozy vibes in their home? If you’re looking for some fresh ways to incorporate your photos into your own space, I’ve created a list for you of ideas that range from low effort to high effort ways to get your photos in places you’ll see them all the time.

Ways to display your family photos

Low effort

Set your phone wallpaper to cycle through your photo session images

If you have an iPhone: settings >wallpaper>add new wallpaper. At the top, choose “photo shuffle” and then select which photos you want your phone to shuffle through. 

If you have an Android phone: settings>wallpaper, scroll to photo shuffle, tap featured, select people, select who you want included, tap done and confirm frequency.

Now you’ll see your photo session images on the regular. 

Turn your images into Mixtiles

I used Mixtiles as a way for my kids to have photos in their bedrooms, but you can use them anywhere. The nice thing about them is there’s no need to put a nail in the wall once they arrive. They stick to the wall with command strips. The hardest part of the process is choosing which photos you want printed. So, you can literally order them online, wait til they arrive in the mail and then stick them up where you want them once they’re at your door. Visit the Mixtiles site to see all the options.

Hanging strand of clips (especially great for kids’ rooms)

Our daughter was given a light up strand of clips for Christmas, and she loves it. It hangs in her room, and she’s able to clip up whatever photos she wants to (after I print them for her). It’s an easy way to switch out photos as often as you want to without having to commit to a frame or a nail in the wall. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about.

Combine art and function with this storage and display box from Artifact Uprising

This beautiful display box from Artifact Uprising allows you to store a stack of printed photos behind the one on display so you have easy access to your family photos when you want to switch out the one that is in the display frame.

Medium effort

Set TV wallpaper/screensaver to have your photos cycle through

I guess it depends on how tech-savvy you are. For me, this would be medium-high effort cause I hate figuring out TV stuff, but it’s possible this may be easy for you. If so, please do it! You’ll see your photos all the time!

Create a wall calendar on Shutterfly

If you’ve never used Shutterfly before, they have templates that are ready to go. You can create a wall calendar with your family photos. Just plug them in where you want them and voila – photos on display. I’ve done this for myself and also for family members as a Christmas gift.

Thrift cute frames for the wall/shelves

This takes a little more time, but it’s fun. If you’re not in a rush to make your space look a certain way and you’re open to letting the thrift gods bring the frames to you, this is a great way to add extra personality to your photo displays.

I thrifted the frame pictured above, removed the image that was in it at the thrift store, cleaned the frame up and then printed my own large version of one of my favorite photos of our kids. Ta-da! Framed in a fun way and budget-friendly too. (Also, apologies for the weird angle. It faces a lot of windows so I was trying to get a good shot without glare.)

The most effort

Create albums for the family or board books for little ones

You can set them out like coffee table books so they’ll be looked at and enjoyed. If something happens to it that’s the beauty of creating it online through a site like Shutterfly – the work is saved and you can have it printed again.

Create a one-of-a-kind wall hanging

Print your favorite image on fabric through Spoonflower and incorporate embroidery into it. You can frame it, sew it to create something new or display it on the wall with an embroidery hoop.

Now make it happen!

Also, if you have found any creative ways to display your own photos that you don’t see listed here, I’d love to hear about them in the comments.

Creative ways to display your family photos: tips from a Los Angeles Family Photographer

Erica Hurlburt is an award winning Ventura County Photographer who specializes in newborn, family and school photography. Her style tends toward cleaner, classic images, both in how they’re composed and edited. Her goal in every session is to keep things relaxed and fun and to create images that are both meaningful and unique.

Erica serves clients in Camarillo, Ventura County, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake,
Malibu, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ojai and beyond.