Today I am going to show you how to create a photo gallery wall, as they say on Pinterest. And not only how to decorate the walls with your memories, but I also reveal a couple of tricks and an example in our bedroom. A simple and economical (but very successful) way to decorate, in addition to giving your home a warmer and more homely air.
I love photography! Since I got pregnant we had several photo shoots, as an expecting couple, Sofia newborn, and for her baptism. Now ,Sofia has grown a little and I wanted other set photos, just when she is about to start walking. We are also in autumn, when the trees have that beautiful color, and create a very dreamy environment. Our bedroom, which I have already showed before, has a blank space where I though photos could fit. When I met Lara, whose work I like for her approach to detail, delicacy and tenderness, seemed a good fit.
I met Lara during an moving evening at Silvia’s house during one of her Cenas Adivina. The guest was Alice, from Orden y Limpieza en Casa (a very interesting blog). The good thing about Silvia’s dinners (apart from the food, of course) is that you not only meet the protagonist of the dinner that tells her story about her professional (or personal) career but you also find very interesting people among the guests. Lara specializes in newborns photography, children and families and I really like the sensitivity with which she captures the intimate and special moments of each family. That’s why I felt delighted that she was the one who helped us create these beautiful memories.
{Here I am opening printed photos that Lara brought}
So, this is how the process was and the steps to follow if you want your photo gallery on the wall to be a success:
1. Choose the color range right
Because these photos are going to be hanging on the wall, we must take into account the color range with which we want to play. We have to consider the colors of the room that we are going to decorate and think well about the shades we want the photos to have (unless we want them all in black and white). So choose carefully the clothes that we are going to wear and at the same time do not forget the background colors where we are going to do the session. In our case, photos were taken in the middle of Retiro park, so the colors that prevailed were yellow and warm shades of red and brown. Our bedroom is decorated in blue and pink colors, and I wanted these tones to be present in the photos. We got it all sorted out by putting Sofia a pink hat and me a blue denim jacket.
2. Choose the frames right
In relation to the previous point, choose them according to the room where we are going to place the photos. We can opt for all the frames in the same color and material or we can mix both colors and materials, just slightly. It is best to choose between two or maximum three colors depending on the dimensions of the wall. Many small photos in many different frames may seem overwhelming and messy (without it being the intention). It is best to combine white frames with light wood or black and then put a couple of frames in metallic colors such as gold or silver to give a little touch of glamour. If we choose black, it is best to combine with something in the room (a cushion with a black touch or a carpet). In our case, I decided on white and silver frames because black seemed a bit hard for our room. All the frames I have got very cheap in Hema.
3. Make the composition
Here, size of photos and orientation is very important. I advise you, you should make a sketch. I did it because I wanted to know what size of the photos and frames I will be needing. It is best to start with a large photo and create the composition around. You can choose the main photos of which you are sure you want to hang up and then “fill in gaps” with the rest of the photos you have. If you are going to mix the sizes it is important to put some photos horizontally and others vertically and if you can, use a few squares, because those give some harmony to the whole. We can also add the passepartout to some photos and not others (I added only to the big photos).
Before hanging the frames on the wall I replicated the composition of my drawing on the bed to verify that I like how the frames are staying together. Of course, here we must take into account the measurements of the wall where we are going to hang the frames. It seems obvious BUT, before buying anything, it is better to measure twice the gap we have to play 🙂
4. Hang the photos on the wall
Some people hang the photos cutting out the same paper composition and sticking it on the wall, before hanging the photo. If you do not have patience (like me) you can save this step and simply measure well the composition that you have created in the bed (or on the floor), putting care with distances between each frame. Make a mark on the wall in the lower corner of the composition and you hang the photos from the bottom up. To save nails I have used the 3M Command system, I strongly recommend it, it is very easy and comfortable.
And voilà! This is the result. I hope you like it!
Do you dare to decorate your house with photos? You already know that if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write to me.
If you want to see all the photos of the session you can see them here.
{Some selfies with the photographer}
