How to use your Family Photos | Heirlooms + Artwork

I've photographed families for nearly 10 years, I've hired photographers for my own family, and there seems to have been a missing piece for many years. Which is why I'm here to share a collection of uses for your family photos. You'll find various ideas that bring your photographs outside the screen to be cherished for years to come.

I don't call them heirlooms for no reason, it's really what they are to your family. Long after you're gone from this earthly existence all that will remain, tangibly is whatever you bring forth now. Be it a true family estate, a collection of writing or a visual story with photographs, beyond the love and wisdom you've imparted on those closest to you.

Albums

To start, my favorite heirloom is an album. These can come in a variety of colors, formats and styles to fit your heart's desire. Albums to me are the perfect means to preserving your photographs because they are easy to store and keep them all together in one place. Since I'm a nostalgic silly goose I keep my school yearbooks and albums on the same bookshelf for easy access and reminiscing. Some families with older kiddos keep a few on their coffee tables in their formal living rooms and rotate them out every so often.

There are a few options for albums, but it all boils down to paper. Fine Art Albums are the top tier for quality with Fine Art, acid free paper and stunning custom covers of linen or leather. The second favorite album type is a matted album which allows for you to pull a few photographs from the pages to display in small frames on your surfaces. This can be really convenient when you like to update shelves or mix up decor in various spaces.

Framed Art

Framed artwork is one of the most meaningful ways to bring your family photographs into the rhythm of your home. A frame does more than hold an image — it gives that moment a place to belong. It invites the people you love into your everyday spaces, whether that’s a quiet corner in your living room or the entryway where little feet run in and out each day. When you choose to frame a portrait, you’re choosing to honor that season of your life by giving it a home on your walls.

When selecting frames, think about the natural flow of your home: the colors you gravitate toward, the textures that feel comforting, and the spaces where your eyes tend to rest. Some families prefer a clean, minimal frame that lets the photograph speak for itself; others love warm woods or antique finishes that echo the stories held within the image. There’s no wrong choice — only what feels true to your family. If you’re unsure where to begin, consider starting with one statement piece: a single framed portrait in a high-traffic room that anchors the rest of your artwork.

Framed galleries are also a lovely way to highlight growth over time — newborn milestones, yearly family sessions, or a series of images that quietly tell the story of your children as they are right now. Many families build a gallery wall slowly, adding one frame each year so the collection becomes a visual timeline of God’s goodness woven through their lives. No matter the approach, framed art encourages you to pause, breathe, and remember the beautiful gift of being together.

Loose Prints

The bare minimum for bringing your photographs into the real world and out of the digital format is loose prints. Whatever size you choose, I'd order at least one of every single image. When I'm planning to place an order of prints for myself, I consider a few different things:

Do I need to update any framed pictures around the house?

I'll plan to order 8x10's of my favorites for frames, usually the top 5 photos or the ones that fit the current orientation of the frame in its current location.

Are there any birthdays or holidays coming up that I could/should order extras for?

My family LOVES pictures, so any time I can gift prints, I do just that. I'll order extras of my favorites or whatever photos may have those people in them. We did extended family photos in the fall so I ordered pictures of my kiddos with their great grandparents as a gift to my grandma and threw in some of the other group combos too.

Do I want to store them in a box or slip album?

I'll pop over to amazon after I place my print order to grab another box or photo book so I'm ready for my photos when they arrive. Ordering after also gives me an idea of how many pages/slips I'll need in the album or how large/long the photo box will need to be.

If you're looking to display your prints, a beautiful way to do so is with a glass or linen box. The gold trim is easily eye catching to pique the interest of a guest in your home. So, for those that enjoy any excuse to pull out their photographs, this can be a great fit.

If reading through these ideas has sparked a vision for how you want your own family’s story to live on your walls, I would be honored to help you bring it to life. Every session I photograph is created with heirloom artwork in mind, pieces meant to last, to be held, and to be passed down long after this season has changed.

If you’ve been considering updated family portraits, or if you’re ready to begin building a collection of framed art that feels true to your home, you’re welcome to reach out. I’ll guide you through the process from start to finish, helping you choose the images, printing styles, and frame options that best reflect your family’s story.

When you're ready, you can inquire with me anytime, I would love to create something meaningful for you and the generations who will follow. Inquire Here.