Framing Photographs

Some of life’s most precious memories are captured in our photos—birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and unplanned special moments that we snap on a whim.  More often than not, we either leave the photos on our computers, or print them off and stick them in a frame from the local department store.

While that treatment is OK for some photos, your truly special ones, those that can be passed on to the next generation, deserve so much more.  That’s where custom framing comes in! 

“The nature of the beast!”  The very nature of your photograph determines how it should be framed—photos printed on Kodak paper, digital photo paper, or antique photos.  

All photos, no matter how produced, should be matted.  The mat is not only decorative and enhances the picture, but it ensures that the photo does not touch the glass.  If it does touch, temperature and humidity can cause the photo to stick to the glass, and potentially ruin the image.  An acid-free, artboard (mat), will protect your photo.

Truly, the most damage done to every photograph is fading from exposure to light.  Over time light causes the photo to fade, and sadly that is irreparable. Custom framing allows you to choose conservation glass that prevents any deterioration from light.

Framing your photograph not only protects your photo, but can bring back special memories from that occasion by adding an extra element to the framing, like shadowboxing the photo along with another object, layered matting, or giclèe treatment.  

In shadowboxing, you can place a graduation photo next to an honor pin or mortarboard tassel.  Or you can incorporate a dance recital photo with the actual ballet shoes.  You can even frame a special plate or bowl, or almost any object to prevent damage and dust from spoiling your treasure.  

Finally, how often have you picked up a photo or object and wondered what the story is behind it, who is that, where was it taken?  If you or someone has typed up the history of the photo, it can be placed in a specially constructed pocket that is mounted on the “dust cover” paper on the back of the frame, thus providing immediate access for all generations to the memories surrounding the painting, photo, or object.

In another blog, we will talk about the giclèe process, which makes the most wonderful preservation and gift out of your photograph.