So this post has been bumping around in my brain for a bit and I wanted to share my opinions! That’s right, just opinions but I think they might be worth something to ya!

In this new world of lifestyle photography and post-JC-Penny-portraits age, we as photo consumers have something different to work with as far as what we hang up in our house.

Some people are past the posed, against a white backdrop, with not so flattering lighting. I’m not against ANY form of memory capturing, but I think we can agree that I choose a different method, professionally, to supply your memories by.

And if you’re confused as to how to incorporate that onto your walls, let me relieve your anxiety.

Here are a couple of ways you can get your memories up!

this is probably a no brainer but C’MON. some people need a little extra help. gallery walls are a big thing right now. well, actually, all of our grandmas probably boasted a sweet gallery wall growing up so let’s just say we caught up to their memory displaying wisdom. my favorite looks are mixing art with your photos (currently in the process of doing that). gallery walls are really just a way to express yourself creatively; there are SO many ways you can do that. I personally like old, thin, gold frames mixed with wood or white frames. Fav. Trying to find the right frames are half the battle! But worth it.

The COOLEST thing about gallery walls is that you can get away with smaller large prints like 8×10′s.

!!!PAUSE!!!

Yes, an 8×10 is small for a wall. Have you ever hung an 8×10 and thought “hmm, it’s being eaten by the vast white (insert color of your wall) existence all around it.” And then you went on with your day. No, don’t do that. Get you an 11×14 or larger unless you decide to do a sweet gallery.

type in “gallery wall” at google or pinterest and you’re destined to find something that matches your style. these are some of my favorites!

Here’s where your large prints come in handy (11×14 and larger–preferably 16×20 and larger, really)

today I literally bought a 24×36 inch print of me and Michael. it’s a beautiful black and white from our wedding day. It’s going right above our bed as a statement piece.

Some people pride themselves on not making shrines to themselves or family on their wall (you know what I’m talking about) but there’s a happy medium with this. When your wedding pictures start making their way into your guest bathroom, let’s get some reigns on it (just picking–sorry if you do have wedding portraits in your bathroom ha!).

Making a statement with your photo(s) can be categorized as shriney but guess what? This girl doesn’t care! Slap you a huge canvas up (or print) and call it a day or pick 3 of your favorite images, buy frames that matte them to an 11×14 size (hobby lobby always has a 50% off sale on their frames) and hang them up side by side above your couch or on a blank wall with not much going on.

Also, you can always hit me up for large Fine Art prints. They’re beautiful! I can handle the quality for you

Love how Emma from A Beautiful Mess incorporated this statement photo

This really isn’t a third way to put pictures on your wall. This is an exhortation from Saint Paige about getting outside of your box and pick an image where you’re not all looking at the camera (NOT AGAINST that!.. i always provide those images) or a picture that makes more of a statement than just the norm! Here are some photos that are some of my favorites from a while back as well as recently that might stir you to different photo picking heights.

but first! here’s the photo i printed today of me and Michael. As I purchased this today, a guy behind me in line said “well you sure did get the short end of the stick on that one!” to which I replied, “what do you mean?” with a smile of course. He said, “well… your face isn’t showing”. And then I told him to look at my husband’s sweet smile as we kissed and the smile you can see by the way my cheek is curved. totally the way we felt that entire day. and i love that it isn’t showing my face. a photograph doesn’t have to show my face for me to feel something. I LOVE THIS PHOTOGRAPH. Absolutely adore it. thank you Laura and Jeromy(psst, go check them out at reauxphoto.com)

and some others i’ve taken… imagine these as 16×20 or larger statement pieces! i especially love when there is beautiful scenery around and you right in the middle of it– you’re not necessarily  the entire photograph, but part of it while the scenery accentuates you. makes for a beautiful large print.