Photography dominates the world right now. It has since it was first invented, of course, but as cameras become more high-tech and available (hey, smartphone pics), seeing photography from everyday people and of kids is more common. Moms knows this more than anyone as they are usually the ones taking the photos of their kids — though they should definitely step in front of the camera more. Photos used to fill scrapbooks and photo albums, then social media came along and photos flooded Facebook. Now, Instagram is in the mix as influencers, those with kids and without, show off their lives in filters and different places multiple times a day.
But with this immediacy to post photos online, the joy of actually holding a physical photo has lessened. Unless one has a phone-to-printer device, it's not as easy to immediately have photos to display. The photos live forever in the Cloud or on internet or wherever digital pictures live.
But some old-school traditions, like having physical photos, are worth going back to! Or at the least, doing that alongside the online photo-posting thing. Post those cute photos from the movies or the park, but print out the bigger photos of the more important events: vacations, weddings, graduations.
And there's good news! Photo albums are not the only ways to catalog memories. There's tons of interesting and creative ways to display photos that moms can DIY themselves or purchase from more creative types. There are even options to wear or carry around the photos for others to see, too. We're talking photos on vases, bracelets, blankets, or pillows.
There are even services that use technology to create photo books online, so printing out isn't necessary. Some ideas are simple (like a piece of wood and clothespins) and others are more intense (again, the photo blanket), but no matter what, photos should and can be seen pretty much anywhere. Not just on Facebook. Check out some of the ideas below and put them to the test.
Floating Frame
Take the photo frame game up a notch and get floating frames. They appear to be literally floating off the wall and create a super interesting and visibly appeasing display.
Floating Frames ($50, Walgreens)
Window Frame
Windows are a creative and cool way to display multiple photos at once. They're basically just multiple frames in one, but also have a rustic feel to them. Customized to the heart's desire! These are also fun DIY projects to do with older windows hanging around.
Window Frame ($45, ShowThemAmazing/Etsy)
Bicycle Wheel Display
Bicycles wheels are another cool way to display photos and also fit into a shabby chic home decor style. Just buy clothespins to hang each image on the spokes.
Reclaimed Bicycle Wheel Photo Display ($115, OldSchulteLane/Etsy)
Photo Vase
This photo vase makes not only for a cute display, but a fun activity to do with kids, too. Just grab a copy of a photo (or the photo itself) and glue or paper mache onto a vase. Or, find an Etsy artist like this one to create one.
Photo Mason Jar Vase ($11, DandelionDreamsGifts/Etsy)
Wire Photo Display
Wire displays like this aren't just for college dorms. Share photos in the kitchen with a cute gold one.
Gold Wire Photo Clip Wall Frame ($20, Cost Plus World Market)
Light Photo Display
Shed a little light with the photos. Choose a corner or wall space to string the LED lights that double as a photo display. This makes a cheery seasonal way to show off photos or holiday cards, too.
Photo Clip String Lights ($16, Urban Outfitters)
Wooden Photo Board
Grab a piece of wood and some clothespins to create a custom photo board. It's a funky way to show off a specific set of photos and can be customized to the space on the board.
Picture Board Custom Photo Board ($29, ReclaimedOregon/Etsy)
Engraved Vase
Take the photo vase to the next level and get it engraved with the image. It's a subtle way to show off a treasured photo.
Personalized Engraved Vase ($26, PellegrinGraphics/Etsy)
Photo Bracelet
Mamas can have photos of her favorite faces with a photo charm bracelet. Just chose the images wanted and show them off.
Photo Charms Bracelet (from $12, HeartstringzJewelz/Etsy)
Wood Block & Prints
Keep it minimal but chic with a wood block display. It's just a little wooden piece to set the wood photo on.
Wood Block Display and Prints ($20, Artifact Uprising)
Acrylic Photo Frame
Why have a regular frame when there's cool frames like this? They're small enough to stack multiple photos to show off the whole family.
Acrylic MiniBlox ($12, My Photo)
Wooden Block
If clear crystal isn't the right style, go for wood. This wooden block can feature a photo on one side and a family name on the other.
Wooden Photo Block ($20, Shutterfly)
Canvas Print
Sometimes a frame isn't necessary at all — the photo itself does all the work. Choose any photo to be turned into a canvas to show off.
Canvas Display (from $11, Canvas Prints)
Photo Book
Photo books will never go out of style. Choose the photos to be designed in a cover-to-cover style book that can rest on a coffee table.
Photo Book (from $7, Walgreens)
Wood Panel
Go big with the photos using a wooden panel to show off a collage of photos. Up to 30 images can be used.
Photo Panel (from $27, Walgreens)
Photo Letters (or Numbers)
Take the collage game to the next level with a photo collage in the shape of the letter or number. It makes a perfect game room piece or last name letter display.
Letter Display (from $15, Shindigz)
Gallery Pillow
Decorate a sofa or chair (or bed) with a personalized photo pillow. Names, words or quotes can also be included.
Photo Gallery Pillow (from $24, Shutterfly)
Photo iPhone Case
Upgrade to a personal phone case and have those gorgeous photos on full display. Choose a photo to have printed, along with the case color. For iPhone and Galaxy phones.
iPhone/Galaxy Custom Photo Case ($14, Collage)
Memory Pen
Do work or homework with a "memory pen" that features a favorite photo. Artwork or images can easily slip into the base and be changed out.
Photo Pen ($8, Jo-Ann)
Photo Blanket
Wrap up in memories, literally and metaphorically, with a fleece photo blanket. This one from Etsy is handmade and can come with color or black-and-white images.
Photo Blanket ($94, ABespokeTouch/Etsy)
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Cafemom may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
