Printing and Displaying your family photos
You’ve done all the work booking a photographer, having a session, and loving your family gallery … only to let it sit on your phone or in a dusty digital folder? You're not alone. As a family photographer, I believe your memories come to life when they're printed and proudly displayed in your home. Here's how to turn those moments into tangible joy you can see every day.
Section 1: Why You Should Print Your Photos
Digital files are great, but prints are timeless keepsakes.
They create a sense of home and belonging for kids seeing themselves on the walls.
Photos spark stories and memories, especially when displayed with care.
"Your photos deserve more than a hard drive—they deserve a place in your story."
Section 2: Easy Ways to Print Your Photos
Professional Lab Prints: Higher quality than drugstore prints—use labs like Artifact Uprising, MPix, Zno. I love the white border edge on Artifact Uprising Print Packs. I also love the square prints with borders from Social Print Studio.
Framed Prints: Choose simple, timeless frames that match your home’s vibe. I love a good gallery wall displaying a variety of photos and art you enjoy. Don’t forget to put some in your kids rooms too!
Photo Books: Great for yearly family recaps or documenting a special season. My kids love to pull out the photo books and look through old photos of our family. I print my phone photos and slide them into an album.
Instant Film/Polaroid Displays: Fun for casual, everyday moments. I often take Polaroids and instant images for my clients! Great for framing or displaying on your fridge.
Section 3: Creative Display Ideas
Gallery Walls: Mix sizes, frames, and orientations for a custom look.
Floating Shelves: Swap photos seasonally or by event.
Washi Tape Walls for Kids' Rooms: Let your children help arrange their favorite moments.
Magnetic or Cork Boards: Great for a rotating display of photos and artwork from school.
Mix Media: Add kids’ drawings or handwritten notes alongside photos.
Photo Magnets: I love magnets from Social Print Studio! They have lasted years and can easily put them different places in our home.
Photo Strips: These giant photo strips are a fun way to curate and display. Can use a wood hanger or frame.
Section 4: Tips for Getting Started
Choose 5–10 favorite photos to print this month. If you want to purge your phone for printing I love Snapfish and FreePrints apps for batch printing each month!
Pick one area of your home (entryway, hallway, stairway) to start.
Order through a trusted lab — avoid big box store prints that fade or distort colors.
MAGGIE RECHKEMMER
Maggie Rechkemmer is a family photographer and educator based in the Quad Cities. She’s passionate about documenting real, everyday moments through film, digital, and Super 8—capturing the magic in the messy and the beauty in the ordinary. When she’s not behind the camera or teaching fellow creatives, you can find her exploring with her kids, running through the trails, or working on her 1914 home.
Want to learn more? Head over to her main website here.