How to Display Heirloom Portraits in Your Home

You invested in beautiful family photos. Now they're sitting on your computer or phone, and you keep meaning to do something with them. I see this happen all the time. Heirloom portraits deserve to live on your walls where you can see them every single day. Not buried in a folder. Not waiting for the perfect moment. Now.

As a Pittsburgh photographer,(Kelli Slavonic Photography) I help families turn their images into actual artwork they can touch and enjoy. I'm going to walk you through exactly how to display your portraits in a way that feels right for your home and your life.

Pick the Spaces You Actually Use

Your portraits belong in the rooms where your family spends time. The living room is where you gather after dinner. The hallway you walk through twenty times a day. Your bedroom is where you start and end each day.

Don't save your best images for formal spaces nobody uses. Put them where they'll make you smile during regular life.

I recommend starting with one main wall. Pick your favorite portrait and build from there. You can always add more later.

Size Matters More Than You Think

A tiny print on a big wall disappears. You walk right past it without really seeing it.

Go bigger than feels comfortable at first. A 16x20 or 20x30 print makes an impact. It shows that your family matters. That these moments matter.

When you work with me, I help you choose sizes that fit your space perfectly. I visit your home or look at photos of your walls. Then I recommend specific sizes based on your viewing distance and wall dimensions.

Match Your Home's Style

Your heirloom portraits should fit naturally into your home. If you have a modern space, consider clean frames in black or white. If your home feels warm and traditional, wood tones work beautifully.

I offer framed artwork that arrives ready to hang. You don't need to find a framer or match frames yourself. Everything coordinates from the start.

You can also choose gallery-wrapped canvases for a softer look. Or fine art prints in simple frames. Pick what feels like you.

Create a Gallery Wall or Keep It Simple

Some families love a gallery wall with multiple images in different sizes. Others prefer one large statement piece.

Both choices work perfectly. There's no wrong answer here.

If you want a gallery wall, stick to odd numbers like three or five pieces. Keep your frames in the same color family. Leave some breathing room between images.

If you prefer simple, choose your absolute favorite image and give it the spotlight it deserves.

Albums Live on Coffee Tables and Bookshelves

Albums tell the whole story of your session. Kids love flipping through them. Grandparents treasure them during visits.

I design gorgeous albums that feel substantial in your hands. They sit on your coffee table or bookshelf and actually get used.

You don't have to choose between wall art and an album. Many Pittsburgh families order both.

I Handle the Hard Parts

Here's what makes this easy. After your session, you view your images in an online gallery. You choose your favorites. Then I help you select the right products for your home.

I guide you through sizing, placement, and design. You don't need to figure this out alone.

Your heirloom portraits arrive at your door, ready to hang or display. Everything matches. Everything fits. You just put them up and enjoy them.

Your Family Deserves This

Printed portraits change how your home feels. They remind you of what matters during the busy, hard days.

When you invest in heirloom portraits, you create something your kids will hold onto long after they've left your home. Something they'll show their own children someday.

If you're ready to get your family photos off your phone and onto your walls, I'm here to help. Let's create artwork you'll love looking at every single day.

FAQs

How soon after our session should we choose artwork for our home?

It’s best to choose your artwork while the excitement from your session is still fresh. Most families make their selections within a few weeks so their portraits don’t end up forgotten on a screen.

What if I’m not sure which photos will work best on my walls?

That’s completely normal. Many parents feel unsure at first. You’ll get guidance on which images translate beautifully into wall art and which ones shine best in albums or smaller displays.

Can heirloom portraits work in homes that change or get redecorated often?

Yes. Timeless portraits and neutral framing styles adapt easily as your home evolves. Even if furniture or paint colors change, meaningful images of your family always belong in the space.