Seven Types of Photos to Print

Last week I was lamenting the fact that my 3 year old likes to borrow my phone on the regular so she can look at pictures of herself. I listed out some solutions to that issue last week so if you haven’t read that one yet, go back and do that.

This week I wanted to talk about choosing which photos to print for each of the solutions I listed out last week. So seriously, if you haven’t read last week’s post yet, go back and do that so you’re up to date.

If you’re documenting your family at all, you’re probably up to your waist in digital photos from the last year. Add in the photos from other family members (or is that just me?) and your digital clutter might be hard to wade through. How do you choose which ones to print for your kid’s bedroom wall, the fridge, and the album? (Don’t know what I’m talking about? Go read last week’s post.)

I have a checklist for you, right here, of things to look for when you’re looking for photos to print.

Family

Show your kid how they’re part of something bigger than themselves by including photos of the family. Photos of them playing with others, being loved, tickled, snuggled, read to, and just generally part of a bigger group helps them remember they’re important and loved. Photos of them with their siblings can also help them remember that they have a good relationship with their brother or sister, even when they’re currently mad at each other.

Extended family

Most of us have family that live far away, and it can be hard to remember who those nebulous people are when you’re young and you rarely see them. Include a photo of far-away family, especially if those photos have your kids in the photos, so they remember the relationship they have with that person.

Natural expressions

Don’t just print the ones of them saying cheese to the camera. My kids are in a “close my eyes on purpose” photo phase, and I love it. I will print at least one of those. If they’re being silly, include it. If they’re crying and being comforted, include it. Show them that other emotions other than “cheese” are acceptable and that you love when they act like themselves.

Context

You might like to take photos of their beautiful smile (what parent doesn’t?) but they like to see the context of what was happening around them. Spark the memory of what they were doing, and include zoomed-out photos of them playing, too.

New beginnings

New things can feel so hard in the moment, and some kids deal with change better than others. Once you’re through the initial change, it can be a good reminder for them to see the new beginning (first day of school, moving to a new house, starting a new sport, accomplishing a new skill) and remember how they felt in that moment, to compare how they feel now and know that they made it to the other side. (We can do hard things!)

Travel

That excitement of traveling to a new place, or a place you love to visit, can be relived over and over when you print photos from your travels as a family. Airplane rides, road trips, landmarks, beach visits, family trips - all opportunities for reliving exciting times.

Last but not least - don’t forget to also print your professionally-made family photos! Why are you getting those made if you’re not printing them?

I hope this is helpful! Now get to printing. Got questions? You can email me at allison@allisonpatelphoto.com, or DM me on IG or FB.