Bringing Your Photos to Life and Preserving Your Memories with Framing

The growing prevalence of digital photography in the last 20 years has greatly affected the way in which photographers, both amateur and professional, interact with the images they take. The convenience of being able to carry a high-quality camera in your pocket with the capability to take thousands of instantly-viewable photos has simultaneously advanced the medium to new heights and drawn some people back to more traditional, tangible photography practices. 

One area where this shift is most notable is in the preservation/storage of photos. If your photo library on your phone or computer is under 5,000 images, consider yourself lucky. The ease of modern digital photography has encouraged folks to take an overwhelming number of pictures, so much so that they cannot comfortably appreciate their most cherished images. Though this shift has greatly assisted in the digital storage of images it has ultimately led to a growing appreciation of physical, tangible photo display options like photo frames, photo albums, photobooks, and photo canvases and more, that lift the image off the screen and give it life. 

All About Framing: Understanding the Components of a Frame & Their Function

Photo Frame: 

The window mat is a thick and rigid paper stock with a cutout in the middle that acts as a buffer between the edge of the frame and the edge of your chosen photograph. This can be used for both stylistic and functional purposes and can range from a variety of sizes. These mats can also be different colours, allowing for some creative control, however they are most commonly white, so the mat does not distract the viewer from the photo it surrounds. 

Apart from their aesthetic qualities, photo matting also serves as needed protection from the elements. Photographs are incredibly sensitive documents that will degrade over time if not tended to properly. It’s important to never let the print touch the glass if possible. Humidity and adverse temperatures may cause the print to adhere to the glass over time, effectively damaging both the image and the frame in the process; this is especially common when using glossy paper. 

When using a photo mat, it is also important to ensure the size of your print will fit in the window of the mat without cropping important aspects of the image. Make sure to measure your print and the opening of the mat before purchasing to avoid any frustration in achieving your final vision. 

Another photo matting option is to purchase a photo frame print and mat bundle to ensure that your photo and mat work well together.

Photo Dust Paper:

A fairly minor aspect of the photo framing process, but good-to-know nonetheless, the dust paper is simply added protection from dust and debris slipping into your frame while placing your photo in it. You can use any number of materials, but often the display backing paper that comes in most frames should do the trick just fine.

Photo Frame Wall Mounting Hardware:

As essential as all the previous framing tips are, none are as important as the correct methods of mounting your photo frames. Most standing easel-backed frames only go up to 8x10, due to the support required for them to sit upright, and the surface space required to house anything larger. Due to this, most larger-sized photo prints are limited to hanging frames which require some work to install. 

There are several types of mounting hardware such as eyelets, mounting teeth, and wire. There is no “correct” type of mounting hardware, however it is incredibly important to ensure whatever method you use can support the amount of weight you are entrusting to it. The last thing you want is a broken frame because its mounting hardware couldn't support it on the wall. 

Using wire is the most versatile due to its ability to be easily customized. Even when using the eyelets provided on the back of most stock frames, it can be difficult to install two even hooks on the wall to hang the frame. Threading a hanging wire through the eyelets only requires one hook or nail in the wall and provides some additional flexibility when hanging your frame on the wall. Use a ruler or a tape measure to ensure precise placement and to avoid making several holes in a wall. If you choose to install the framing wire by yourself, make sure to cut the wire slightly longer than the length of the frame, tie a knot at both ends after the wire is through the eyelets, and trim the excess material. Ensure that the wire has some tension so that the frame isn’t sagging low on the wall and exposing the mounting method.

Understanding More about Photo Framing Can Help You Proudly Display Your Photos for All to Enjoy

Framing photos goes beyond simply displaying a nice photo. It is a means of preservation and stylistic expression that, when done correctly, can be the perfect piece to tie a room together. In an increasingly digitized world, physical photo prints and their significance are becoming more and more valuable. Though there is a lot that goes into framing a photo yourself, the end result is a photographic memory that stands the test of time and doesn’t rely on you swiping through your entire camera roll for an hour to experience it. 

Browse our photo framing selection and reach out to the photo framing experts at Annex Photo if you need any help with the framing process.