10 Beautiful Ways to Display Photographs After Your Family Session

You’ve had your family session. The light was magic, the snuggles were real, the laughs were loud, and now you’re holding a gallery full of moments that feel like your family.

But now what?

Hi, I’m Kelly! as a Raleigh family photographer (and a mama who has way too many photos still living on her phone), I’m always encouraging families to take the next step: get those images off your screen and into your everyday life. Because the truth is, how you display your photographs matters. It turns your memories into daily reminders of what’s most important. It helps your kids see themselves as loved, celebrated, and cherished.

So today I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to display photographs, from heirloom pieces to everyday simplicity so your photos can live beyond the session and into the heart of your home.

Let’s make sure those beautiful moments don’t just sit in a folder, they deserve a place in your story every single day.

Want more session tips, behind-the-scenes peeks, or my go-to outfit picks? Join my email list, I’d love to stay connected!

Why Displaying Your Photos Matters

There’s something powerful about seeing your family on the wall. Not the “perfectly posed” version, but the real stuff: your baby’s gummy grin, your toddler wrapped in your arms, your partner’s laugh lines.

Displaying your photographs helps anchor your home in love and connection. It shows your children they are seen and valued. It tells your story, not the Pinterest-perfect version, but the truthful, joyful, messy-beautiful one.

And honestly? It just feels good to surround yourself with love.

10 Creative and Heartfelt Ways to Display Photographs

These are some of my go-to suggestions when families ask me how to bring their gallery to life. Whether you’re going for polished, playful, or totally DIY, here are 10 beautiful, approachable ways to display photographs after your family session:

1. The Classic Gallery Wall

An oldie, but always a goodie! Choose a series of cohesive frames and arrange them in a grid or organic layout. This is a beautiful way to tell a visual story, watch your family grow with each passing year.

Pro tip: Mix in a few black-and-white prints to add depth and a timeless touch.

2. Framed Prints for Shelves and Surfaces

Sometimes the sweetest moments don’t need a wall. Tuck small framed prints onto a nightstand, kitchen shelf, or your child’s dresser. These quieter placements are perfect for catching you off guard, in the best way.

That candid photo of your baby reaching for your face? It belongs on your bedside table. Trust me.

3. Photo Ledge or Floating Shelves

Not ready to commit to a full gallery wall? Photo ledges are a flexible, creative solution. Layer your favorite prints in various sizes and switch them out as your family grows or seasons change. It’s cozy, casual, and full of character.

4. Heirloom Albums

Albums are like little time capsules. When you flip through the pages with your kids, you get to relive the story together. Choose a thick, lay-flat album with archival-quality paper so it’ll hold up to tiny hands and big emotions for generations.

Every family I work with has the option to create an heirloom album, we design it together so it tells your story beautifully from start to finish.

5. Large Print or Canvas

Make a statement with one breathtaking photo, printed big. Whether it’s a quiet newborn snuggle or a joyful golden hour moment in the field, a large piece adds instant warmth to any room.

Hallways, stairwells, or over the fireplace are all perfect spots for this kind of bold, love-filled art.

6. Framed Storyboards or Collages

Can’t pick just one favorite? You don’t have to! A collage-style print or storyboard frame blends multiple images into a cohesive piece. These work beautifully for newborn sessions, documenting milestones, or capturing sibling dynamics.

They’re especially sweet in playrooms or nurseries!

7. Fridge Gallery or Corkboard in the Kids’ Room

Who says the fridge isn’t gallery-worthy? Let your kids pick their favorite photos and help arrange a rotating display. Or add a corkboard to their room filled with moments that remind them how loved they are.

This is one of my favorite ways to display photographs with little ones, make it interactive, creative, and totally them.

8. Digital Frames for Daily Joy

Tech lovers, this one’s for you! Load your gallery onto a digital frame that rotates through your images throughout the day. It’s a simple way to keep your photos visible, even if you’re short on wall space.

Bonus: you can update it easily after future sessions!

9. DIY Hanging Displays

Get a little crafty! String prints along twine with mini clothespins or hang photos from wooden dowels or vintage hangers. These are lovely in casual spaces like a home office, mudroom, or even the hallway between bedrooms.

10. Seasonal Swaps in Entryways or Mudrooms

Create a small space for seasonal photo swaps, maybe a few holiday favorites, first-day-of-school portraits, or summer barefoot-in-the-yard magic. It’s a fun, low-commitment way to keep your walls feeling fresh and personal all year long.

How to Choose Which Photos to Display

You don’t need to print every photo from your gallery, just the ones that move you. Look for images that capture emotion, tell a story, or feel like home. It could be a quiet cuddle, a big laugh, or your little one mid-twirl in that outfit you loved so much.

Let the feeling guide you more than the “flawlessness.” The messy, real, love-filled moments are always the ones that stay with you.

And if choosing feels overwhelming, I’m here to help! Every family I photograph receives gallery design support, I’ll help you narrow down, envision layouts, and even select sizes that work best for your space.

Final Thoughts: Let Your Photos Live

Printing your images is about more than decorating, it’s about remembering. It’s about anchoring your home in love, giving your kids a sense of belonging, and filling your everyday spaces with reminders of what truly matters.

So however you choose to do it, whether it’s a gallery wall, a digital frame, or a fridge covered in fingerprints, find your favorite ways to display photographs, and let those memories breathe.

If you’re in the Raleigh area and ready to create the kind of images you want to see on your walls every day, I’d be so honored to help. You can reach out to me here, or come hang out on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes peeks and creative ideas. You can also join my email list for my free outfit guide, seasonal tips, and early access to booking dates: right here.

Let’s fill your home with the love you already share, one beautiful photo at a time.