Last updated on December 2nd, 2023 at 07:01 pm
Susan Sontag famously said: ‘To collect photographs is to collect the world’. Capturing your own personal imprint on the world gives you physical mementos and keepsakes. You’re able to look back on previous events and important moments in your life. But, how can you go about storing these photographs and memories? In this article, we will explain 10 creative ideas that you can use to turn your printed photos into items you can enjoy for many years to come.
Photographs are ‘miniature versions of reality’ in the same way they are statements about a photographer’s past or present. Read on to find out more about how to make the best keepsakes.
1. DIY Photo Magnets
This can be a great present for those who have recently experienced a milestone such as an engagement, wedding, or birth of a child. It can also jazz up a usually boring piece of kitchen equipment, such as a fridge, and add character and warmth to a home.
Choose your intended photograph and add an adhesive magnet to the back of the photo. Then all you need to do is attach it to a surface that will attract a magnet! You can do a montage of three smaller photos and one larger one to make it more interesting.
2. Wall Art
This is a fun idea to spice up a room that is neutral or needs more decoration. It can be a good idea for those who rent a house or apartment and aren’t able to redecorate in a more permanent way.
First of all, you need to select your photos and print them. Take a look at this Shutterfly promo code for a fantastic saving on your printed photos. You will need about 8-24 photos to make a proper piece of wall art.
There are a number of ways you can install your photos and attach them to a wall. You could use pieces of wood and hang them off in a formation that is equidistant to each of them. You could also inter-space the photos with fake flowers or other pieces of collage to turn it into a real feature part of a room.
3. A Key Ring
One way of remembering a special time is to have it on your set of keys so you can always carry it around with you. Choose two photos that mean a lot to you and order a blank key ring for you to customize. You may need to cut your photo to a manageable size when you place it in the holder, so ensure you factor that in.
Pop the photos into the keyring and then you have a perfect memento to treasure on the go!
4. A Photo Book
If you have taken a once in a lifetime trip, what better way to commemorate this than to make a photo book made? You can also customize this in any way you like and can be a great gift for a loved one or friend.
Choose your photo book and simply add your photos to it. You can also add personalized messages or collage pieces to make it really stand out.
5. Greeting Cards
Even if you aren’t into crafts or aren’t particularly accomplished at making things, using photos to make your own greeting cards is so simple. All you will need is a piece of card bent in half, some pens or pencils, and your chosen photos.
These cards can be used for any occasion, such as graduations, Christmas cards, Easter, and birthdays. It makes sending a card that bit more special and personalized.
6. Framed Montages
Framed montages of photographs are an excellent way to brighten up a room. You can easily acquire a framed montage of pictures or make your own. If you go to an antique store or an Old Navy, you should be able to find old photo frames for reasonable prices.
Then, it’s simply a case of arranging your old frames into a position and then attaching the photos inside the frames.
7. Wedding Invites or Favors
Wedding invitations or favors can end up being very expensive if you get them handmade. You can save a lot of money by selecting some nice images of you and your partner and attaching it to a piece of card with the details set around it.
You can also select a few images for fun and variety. This allows your guests to have a personalized keepsake from your wedding.
8. Personalized Journal or Notebook
If you carry around a journal, diary, or notebook you could personalize it with a few favorite memories and photos of your nearest and dearest. Choose a few that will go together in terms of your color scheme and the design of your notepad.
You can arrange these in various formations that slightly overlap and cover the journal. This is a fabulous way to make your notebooks more interesting!
9. Hanger Mobile
Not just for children, a hanger mobile of photographs can be a visually appealing design for any room. It can easily be made from an old hanger and pieces of string or material. Tie the string to the hanger and then attach your photos to the pieces of string with either glue or sticky tape.
This will allow your photos to dangle on the mobile and create a unique way for your photographs to be displayed.
10. Memory Jar
This is a unique way to keep your photos that is also a great ornament or centerpiece of a table or shelf. Find a large see-through mason jar and pop your favorite photos inside. You can reach for those memories of special occasions any time you like!
Creative Ideas for Your Printed Photos
We hope this article has given you plenty of inspiration and creative ideas for your photographs and special memories. Now more than ever, it’s important to remember the power of nostalgia and looking back on better times with the people you care about.
If you enjoyed this article, check out our previous blog posts!
