What can you do with all the photos you have on your computer or tucked away in a shoebox?
This week’s list is all about what you could do with them to relive those times, or show them off to family and friends.
One option is to talk with your photographer and think of a use for the photos before you take them. For example, for engaged couples, you could plan out a shoot well before your wedding, and incorporate those photos into your invitation or save the dates (see #1 below). Or, if you are expecting a child, plan a photo session starting with a maternity session, and ending with their first birthday party, then collecting those images in one album or photo book to treasure for many years to come.
There are other options that could be treated more as a crafty project to do with your family or your loved ones to relive those moments while you are making this, such as photo cubes, DIY framing, or having your photos made into a puzzle and building them together.
- Save the dates: Planning a photo shoot with your photographer to use these photos in a Save The Date would be a easy way to have your personality shine through. The Broke Ass Bride blog just posted some great Save The Date ideas that incorporated photos here
- Photo albums: moms and dads, aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas are excited to tell their friends about your recent wedding or your new addition to the family. Making a small brag book or a full album to share these times with them and their friends means that they can relive the moment, or cherish your newborn over and over. They can range in the very simple (printing out 25 photos and putting them into a small, off the shelf brag book, or customizing a full photo book through several online services like Blurb, Shutterfly, Photobook, or even hand making one to really personalize it would be a great gift to give.
- Framing: The more traditional thing to do is to take your photos to a framer and have them framed and/or matted to give as a gift or hang in your own home. There are all kinds of framers out there to customize the look of these frames and mats to really help your photos shine. If you would rather do this yourself, to save money, or just because you like these kinds of projects, I found a do it yourself framer in Brookline, MA here
- Photo puzzle: I visited a friend over the weekend who has a 2 year old, and a 4 year old named Hannah. She loves puzzles, and despite her shyness, shortly after I started working on the puzzle (conveniently located on the coffee table) she started talking to me and working with me to solve it. It was a wonderful way to connect with her, and because of that, we became fast friends. There are a variety of places to get a photo puzzle made, such as Piczzle, PuzzleArt, or check out photo puzzles on Etsy
- Digital photo frame: If you’re like me, you find it hard to choose just one photo to display in a frame. There are a variety of digital photo frames out there, and choosing which one can be daunting. PC Magazine created a good list of pointers on how to find one that suits you here
- Sharing your photos online: Families are spreading further and further out. Printing photos and sharing an album with friends and family that may live hundreds of miles away can be difficult. Posting your photos to an online album might be a better way to provide access to people who want to see all these significant times in your life. Some of the better known online albums are: flikr, picasaweb, and even your profile on facebook
- Including the photos in thank you notes: I had a consultation recently with a bride and groom who were super excited that I provide a photo booth at their wedding. They had all kinds of ideas for props to have, then they had the idea that they should get in there at one point during the reception and get their photo taken while holding a “Thank You!” sign up, then use those for their thank you cards! Also, printing out the shots of your guests who got in the photo booth and including them in your thank you cards might be a great way to personalize the notes, as well as remind them of all the fun they had at your wedding!
- Photo cubes: These are a great way to display your photos, and you can change which photo you can see very easily. Also, if these are on a desk at work, not only can you see the photos, but so can any visitor to your desk. There are some pre-made photo cubes around that only require that you trim your photos and put them in the frame. There are also wooden blocks for sale at craft stores that would work, and would allow further customization in any number of ways.
- Wedding website: A great way to resurrect old photos of you and your significant other, or to use engagement photos if you took them, is to get them onto your wedding website. These sites are a great way to familiarize your guests with the area or of people in your wedding party.
- Invitations, holiday cards, birth announcements, ornaments: Planning a photo session in time to use those photos for holiday cards, a birth announcement, or invitations to a first birthday party really help to show your personality, as well as update the recipients on how big your newborn is getting, or where you are living.
Have you used your photos in a creative way that I have not posted here? I would love to hear your ideas, so feel free to post your suggestions below.
