One of my favorite moments as a photographer doesn’t happen behind the camera. It happens weeks later, usually through a text or an email or a quick DM. A client will send me a photo of their home — not a portrait, not a setup, but their actual living space. Their mantel. Their hallway. Their kitchen counter. And nestled into that space is an image we created together.
It might be a trio of framed prints.
It might be a single 11×14 centered above greenery.
It might be a cluster of tiny photos tucked onto a shelf with small holiday touches.
But every single time, the feeling is the same: joy. Pride. Connection. A quiet kind of magic that comes from seeing your family in your home, not just on your phone.
Holiday sessions are especially beautiful for this because they carry so much heart. They hold all the warmth, the nostalgia, the tiny details of the season — the way your child’s hand fits into yours, the softness of a sleepy smile, the wonder in their eyes when they look at twinkle lights. And when those photos make the journey from the camera to your gallery and then into your living space, something shifts. Your home becomes a little cozier. A little more personal. A little more “you.”
Over the years, I’ve seen Minnesota families turn their holiday photos into everything from front-and-center mantel displays to quiet décor moments that make their home feel grounded and full of love. In this post, I want to share how families are using their images, why it matters, and how you can turn your session into something you live with all season long — and maybe all year, if the photos become your forever favorites.
Why Displaying Your Photos Matters (More Than You Think)
We live in a digital world where thousands of images are floating around in the cloud, sitting in our camera rolls, or living in our inboxes. But photos aren’t meant to be scrolled through as quickly as we captured them. When an image makes it to your wall, your shelf, or your mantel, it becomes something else entirely — a part of your home’s visual story.
Displaying your photos keeps your memories present. They don’t get lost in storage or accidentally deleted during a phone upgrade. They’re right there, woven into the physical spaces you interact with every single day. A quick glance while making coffee. A lingering moment while straightening the bookshelf. A smile as you walk past the mantel on your way to bed.
Kids especially light up when they see themselves on the wall. Studies actually show that when children see photographs of themselves and their families displayed at home, it boosts their sense of belonging and confidence. It tells them, “You are important. You are loved. You matter here.”
Holiday photos bring another layer of meaning. They remind you of that specific December — the matching pajamas, the tiny socks, the baby’s first ornament, the dog who finally sat still for three whole seconds. They mark time in a gentle, visual way.
When a family turns their holiday photos into décor, something in their home shifts. The space becomes warmer. The story feels fuller. And the season becomes more memorable.
Mantel Display Ideas Inspired by Real Minnesota Families
The mantel is the heart of holiday décor. It’s where stockings hang, candles glow, and greenery drapes softly. It’s also the perfect place to feature your holiday session photos — especially because the mantel is already a seasonal focal point in many homes.
Over the years, I’ve photographed families who’ve shown me how beautifully they integrate their photos into this space, each in their own unique way.
One of my clients from Saint Paul created what she called a “story trio.” She chose three images from her session: a wide shot of the whole family snuggled together on the studio bed, a medium shot of the kids giggling at each other, and a close-up of her daughter’s hand tucked into her husband’s. When arranged left to right across the mantel, the three images told the emotional arc of the session — connection, joy, and intimacy. With candles and greenery woven between the frames, it looked like a holiday movie set without feeling staged.
Another family I photographed last year went with a more chronological approach, almost like a storyline. They placed three photos from the session in order of how the moments unfolded: a quiet portrait, a playful moment, and then the big laugh that came at the end. It created this sense of movement that made anyone standing in the room want to walk over and look more closely.
Some families lean into layered texture — mixing matte black frames with small brass candleholders, eucalyptus, winter berries, or soft pine garlands. The combination of frame texture and natural elements makes the photos feel like part of the décor instead of something separate or overly styled.
No matter the approach, the mantel is a powerful place to let your holiday session live and breathe in your home. It turns your images into conversation pieces — something people notice, comment on, and appreciate.
Beyond the Mantel: Creative Ways Families Display Their Holiday Photos
Holiday images don’t have to stay in one place. Some of the most meaningful displays I’ve seen come from families who tuck their photos into unexpected corners, turning small spaces into cozy storytelling moments.
Entryways are becoming incredibly popular for displaying holiday photos, especially for families who want the first thing guests see to be something warm and personal. A single large framed print hung above a small table creates an instant welcome that feels both festive and intimate. Families often pair the print with a candle, a small bowl of ornaments, or a winter plant to create a small but intentional vignette.
Bookshelves also offer a beautiful opportunity. I’ve seen families mix framed prints among their books, small sculptures, and holiday décor to create a layered, collected look. It’s perfect for small prints like 5×7 or 8×10 sizes, and the combination of personal photos with everyday objects creates a space filled with warmth and personality.
Another thoughtful approach is the “winter gallery wall.” Some families create a seasonal rotation — swapping out a few year-round pieces with holiday photos for December through January. It keeps the space fresh while honoring the season in a subtle, beautiful way. These walls often balance candid photos with more composed ones, creating both movement and emotion.
For families who love simplicity, a large statement canvas is a stunning choice. I’ve seen 20×30 canvases hung in living rooms or dining rooms, instantly becoming the focal point of the space. A single powerful image — like your kids laughing in their holiday pajamas or a cozy moment from your session — becomes a piece of art that feels both personal and polished.
There’s no wrong way to display your photos. What matters is choosing the spaces in your home that hold meaning for you.
Choosing Print Sizes and Ratios That Work Best
As much as choosing the right photo matters, choosing the right print size can make or break the final look. Some homes feel best with small intimate prints; others come alive with large statement pieces.
For mantels, sizes like 6×8, 8×10, and 11×14 tend to work beautifully because they align well with the proportions of the space. They’re big enough to be noticed but not so large that they overpower the surrounding décor.
For gallery walls, mixing various sizes helps create visual interest. A combination of square and rectangular ratios can help balance the layout, especially if you’re using frames you already own.
For standalone statement pieces, prints like 16×20 or 20×30 allow a single image to carry the entire display. They look particularly striking above couches, dining tables, or large open walls.
The right size depends on three things: the wall, the image, and the feeling you want to create.
How to Make Sure Your Holiday Prints Look Their Best
High-quality prints make a massive difference in how your photos feel in your home. Soft blacks, warm tones, and archival paper all elevate the image in a way that inexpensive drugstore prints simply can’t match. Professional labs (like the ones connected to your gallery store) use richer inks, better paper, and truer color reproduction, which means your images will look the way they were intended to.
One of the biggest reasons families choose to print directly through my gallery is because the editing and printing are calibrated together. The colors, lighting, and tones from your session carry through to the final product. Nothing looks washed out, overly contrasty, or oddly tinted.
If you want your holiday prints to last beyond this season — and truly become part of your home year after year — choosing a professional print lab matters more than most people realize.
The Emotional Magic of Seeing Your Photos in Your Home
There’s a reason people send me pictures of their displays as soon as they’re up. Seeing your family on your walls or mantel does something to your heart. It grounds you. It reminds you of the moments you worked hard to create. It gives you a sense of home that goes deeper than décor.
Holiday sessions especially carry that soul-level nostalgia. Maybe it’s the light, or the colors, or the cozy clothing. Maybe it’s the fact that winter makes us slow down. Or maybe it’s just the knowledge that we only get so many holidays with our kids in each chapter of their life.
Your photos are more than pictures. They’re part of your family’s story. And bringing them into your home honors that story in a way nothing else can.
Your holiday photos deserve more than a spot in your inbox. They deserve a home in your home — on the mantel, in the entryway, on the walls that witness your life unfold every single day. When you take your favorite images from your session and turn them into artwork, you’re not just decorating. You’re building a visual legacy.
If you’re ready to bring your session into your home this season, you can order framed artwork directly through your gallery. The print quality is heirloom level, the turnaround is quick, and the joy of seeing your photos displayed is unmatched.
Your memories belong on your walls — not in the cloud.
