Pausing life's most special moments, one photo at a time.

Browse the Blog

Follow on Instagram

join my VIP LIst

My Services

Photography:

family
newborn
maternity
seniors
branding

Tips for Creative Ways to Display Family Photos at Home

Three framed photos of girls at christmas hang on a wall above a sleek brown leather couch

Your family photos aren’t just pictures, they’re sweet little time capsules of joy, laughter, and love! Showcasing these family treasures can turn your house into a home filled with warmth and personality. However you decide to display your family photos, you gotta make sure it fits your style. Let’s dive into some fun ways to display your cherished memories!

1. Create a Gallery Wall

Why settle for boring walls when you can turn them a masterpiece? A gallery wall is the perfect way to display your family’s greatest photo hits. Mix up frame sizes, styles, and colors for that artsy vibe, or keep things neat and tidy with matching frames. Add a splash of personality with mirrors, funky lights, or even a piece of your kids’ artwork. It’s like curating your own little museum of love!

gallery wall with three framed photos all of mothers with their children

2. Incorporate Shelves for Flexibility

Can’t commit to one look? No problem! Floating shelves, picture ledges, or even old bookcases can be your new BFFs. Lean your frames against the wall and sprinkle in some decor magic, think plants, candles, or tiny knick-knacks. Plus, it’s super easy to swap out photos whenever you capture new memories (and you don’t have to patch the walls when you get a new frame). Talk about a win-win!

Shelf with framed photo of newborn with parents and dog on couch on a shelf with plants surrounding

3. Opt for Large-Scale Prints

Go big or go home, right? Turn your favorite family photo into a show-stopping centerpiece! Think oversized prints above the sofa, bed, or dining table. Whether you go for a sleek canvas, framed matted photo, or edgy metal print, this is your chance to make a bold, but heartwarming statement.

Three framed photos of girls at christmas hang on a wall above a sleek brown leather couch

4. Create a Rotating Display

Let’s keep things fresh, shall we? Use a photo clip string, pinboard, or even a digital frame to rotate your family’s latest adventures. It’s perfect for featuring seasonal snapshots or those spur-of-the-moment photos you just can’t stop looking at. Incorporate twinkly fairy lights to create a more magical feel! Bonus, no frames needed for this one!

corkboard with three polaroid photos of mother with daughter in peony garden

5. Mix Photos with Other Mementos

Your photos deserve to shine alongside other cherished keepsakes. Pair them with your kiddo’s finger-paint masterpiece, that adorable souvenir from your last vacation, or Grandma’s vintage vase. Together they tell the beautiful, one-of-a-kind story of your family’s unique journey.

framed photo of young girl laughing sits on a counter with a vase and cup with paintbrushes

6. Choose Locations with High Visibility

Don’t tuck those precious pics away in a corner! Highlight them in spots where they’ll get lots of love, you know, like your entryway, living room, or that empty staircase wall begging for attention. And don’t forget good lighting! I’m loving those fun sconces with battery powered light bulbs BTW (aka no need to hardwire them in or have an annoying cord hanging down). Let those smiles shine wherever you display your family photos!

framed print of a pregnant mother in a forest hangs on a wall in a minimalist decorated corner with chair

7. Consider a Theme or Color Palette

Bring a little harmony to your family photo display by choosing a theme or sticking to a color palette. A black-and-white collection? Classy. A wall full of sunny beach day photos? Totally cheerful. Pick a vibe and run with it!

three framed photos of a mother with daughter in a themed photoshoot hang on the wall of a minimalistic nursery

Bonus Tip: Rotate Your Displays Seasonally!

Who says your decor can’t keep up with the seasons? Swap out family photos to match the time of year. Fall leaves, holiday magic, spring blossoms, keeping your displays seasonal adds a fresh touch and lets you relive memories that fit the moment. If you’ve got your gallery wall exactly the layout you want, you could keep the frames the same, just change out the photo (store the others behind the one on display)!

elegant framed photo of mother with baby dressed for christmas sits on a shelf with simple decorations

By giving your family photos the spotlight they deserve, you’re not just decorating your home, you’re filling it with heart and soul. Whether you go for a bold, artsy vibe or a sweet, sentimental feel, your photos will make your home uniquely yours.

Feeling overwhelmed on how to display your family photos?? I’m here to help! If you didn’t know, I used to do this kind of thing for a living. I worked as a set decorator and have *LOTS* of experience sprucing up a wall. Send me an email ( em***@em************.com ) or reach out to book a session to get those family photos updated!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi I'm Emily! The Ann Arbor, Michigan based photographer behind Emmy & Ollie Photography, mama to two littles Oliver & Violet, and lifelong partner to my husband Ryan. I'm here to share about my life, my photo journey, beautiful moments, and tips to help you have the best photo session!

About the Blogger

Like what you're seeing? Share this post in your circles!

Filling this out is your first step toward beautiful photos!

I'm your Ann Arbor native, family lifestyle photographer ready to make your photo dreams come true! If you're wondering what I'm all about, how to book a session, or anything else really (I'm an open book) click the link below!

Hi there!
I'm Emily.