photography wall arrangement ideas & inspiration

A seasonal change always seems to align with our natural inclination to change, as well. For me personally, it's been about getting back to yoga, purging the excess "stuff" from our home, and simply finding new cute, modern throw pillows to freshen our living space. This Fall, I also naturally have photography on the mind and I'm feeling inspired to shake up the ordinary. Perhaps, your living space is also aching for a change and you have been trying to figure out what to do with your photographs.. Here's some inspiration for doing just that:

Idea I: A Casual, 'Organized yet Random' Wall Arrangement (with no fuss..)

This approach is perfect for wall arrangements that you hope to add to or change over time. In this case my client combined a wide selection of special photographs, from the photos I captured from her engagement session and wedding portraits/reception to their trip to Italy and their destination wedding/honeymoon in St. Lucia. I love that this wall arrangement is a focal point in their living space and celebrates their life before this little bugger came along..

Photography Wall Arrangement Inspiration
Photography Wall Arrangement Inspiration

Here's a few simple tips for how it was done:

1) Choose your favorite photos. Get a basic idea of what sizes will be needed to fill the space. Record the quantity of horizontals, verticals, and squares (and your preferred sizes for each). Go with your gut and feature your absolute favorite photographs as the largest prints in your display to act as the focal points.

2) Shop for frames that suit the photographs and coordinate with one another - similar color family, texture, etc. Bring home a few extra frames to play with the options. (Note: Professional matting/framing is always recommended for your professional wall prints, but ready-made frames are great for small prints and snapshots. I just discovered these handmade frames and can't wait to order more for a few of my small photographs.)

3) Simply lay out the framed photos on the floor and move them around until they feel balanced.

4) Transfer the frame layout from the floor to the wall. Surprisingly, my client reported that they just eye-balled the layout without measuring a thing! It may seem too easy, but this is the key to give the look of a casual, organized yet random wall arrangement.

Photography Wall Arrangement Inspiration

Idea II: A Gallery Wrapped Canvas (in a unique place):

I was so intrigued to see this canvas hung inside this stylish family's buffet cabinet / hutch. It is so perfect and untraditional. It really inspired me to think outside the box for new ways and different areas that can be decorated with photographs. So many people express that they do not have any wall space, but that's when we can get really creative..

Gallery Wrapped Canvas Display Idea
Gallery Wrapped Canvas Display Idea

For reference, the size of this canvas is 16" x 26."

It's such a treat to return to a client's home after some time has passed and see how they have displayed the photographs from our sessions together. Besides having total house envy, I am often so impressed with the finished result and how my photographs have been incorporated into their personal home decor. A huge thanks to my clients for allowing me to share their beautiful photography displays. I hope these examples and tips will help inspire ideas for incorporating your photographs (professional or personal) into your home decor. Have fun with it!

pinhole press photo books

Is it just me or does it seem like we are taking more and more photos every year and printing less and less? In film days, obtaining prints was an automatic byproduct of the process. It was so easy. Digital photography is amazing, but no doubt creates more time consuming challenges when it comes to keeping images organized and printed. I recently tackled a daunting project that I had been putting off for over a year. (It happens!) My goal was to combine our favorite photos from 5 years of living in California – 5 years worth of weekend trips and getaways exploring the west. For many, many months, even just the thought of the project would paralyze me and I’d choose to organize my closet instead.

When I stumbled upon Pinhole Press, I knew I had found my match. Pinhole's minimal design aesthetic and simple work flow solutions turned this overwhelming personal project into a breeze. Because I’m such a geek over a good photo book, I wanted to share these images. This is a 60-page Panoramic Book printed with recycled paper.

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Pinhole Press Photo Book

Can you imagine not having printed photographs of your current life and adventures to look back on, the way we flip through our parents’ and grandparents’ pictures? JPGs, hard drives, and discs may not last forever, but printed photographs will. If you have questions or need advice or encouragement to get started on a project, please email me or post a comment. I love helping people learn how to better organize digital photos and I completely understand how overwhelming it can become!

For the sake of full disclosure, I am a partner/affiliate with Pinhole Press, but only because I 100% love their products and use them for my personal photos.

Plant Good Seeds / Awear Yoga Clothing

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?"  Actually, who are you not to be?  - Marianne Williamson

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Meet Jill:

a kind-spirited, deeply inspiring, and soulful yoga teacher and fashion designer who founded Awear Yoga. i recently had the honor of photographing her unique yoga clothing line: locally-made, organic, inspiring designs.. many of which are handmade and all of which are truly beautiful pieces to wear on and off the mat.  a portion of her profits are also donated to various charitable organizations.. jill is doing all sorts of good!

i just happened to meet Jill within days of moving to Grand Rapids at the first yoga class i attended here, nearly a year ago.  our friendship has been blossoming ever since and i am beyond grateful that our paths have crossed..

Awear Yoga Clothing
Awear Yoga Clothing
Awear Yoga Clothing
Awear Yoga Clothing
Awear Yoga Clothing
Awear Yoga Clothing
Awear Yoga Clothing
Awear Yoga Clothing

A huge thank you to the lovely models who spent their day with us in and around Grand Rapids!  This yoga community is a pretty special one - I'm so proud to be a part of it  :)

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detroit art

I shot these images for Luke Emeott of Allied Fabrication Systems back in September.. it's pretty great to have such talented, inspiring friends. These posters are each screen printed by Luke using materials and paper from Michigan and can be purchased on their Etsy Shop. If you are in the Detroit area and want to purchase an original screen printed poster, they are (as far as I know) still available at Bureau of Urban Living.

Detroit City Map Screen Printed Art Poster by Luke Emeott

Detroit City Map Screen Printed Art Poster by Luke Emeott