Creating a Photo Wall.....

Don't keep your favorite family photos tucked away in albums or boxes where they can't be appreciated!

Below is what 25 feet of framed photos looks like. It took a while but I love the finished wall. I am about to start tackling the other side of the hallway. I purposely didn't match all the black frames so that I could buy them from different places. Most of the frames came from Pottery Barn, Aaron Brothers, and Marshall's. Some frames have mats and some don't.

Tips:

1. To get the frames straight, use a laser level to mark a line at the top and bottom of where the frames will go and line the entire wall with two strips of blue painting tape as guides. 

2. Lay out the frames on the floor to create a balanced layout. Vary the gaps between the frames throughout the wall so that it looks intentional! You will drive yourself crazy trying to get them perfect....so don't even try it (unless you are Martha Stewart with 7 assistants).

3. I hold the frames up one at time, use a small pencil to mark on of the corners and the center and then measure the back of the frame in two places: center to side and bottom of the hanger to the top. Then nail!

4. Aaron Brother's has their "Buy one, get one for a penny" sale in July and is a great time to stock up!

5. Add a little paper label to the matted photos with the location and date (and who is in the photo) so friends and family can enjoy without having to guess where and when the photo was taken!

6. Add a couple shadow boxes here and there.  I have one with our wedding photo and invitation and another with my grandfather's military epaulettes.

Most of my photos were old color photos that I scanned and edited to black and white. Here are some of my favorites:

The Swenson Family on the Swilcan Bridge, St. Andrews, Scotland, 1997

(My dad's favorite place in the whole world....he wants his ashes spread here one day. I'll probably get arrested attempting it. Check out my short hair! Never again. I dyed it black from a bottle in our B&B. I have no explanation.)

My favorite of all my horses.....a thoroughbred named Andy ("Just Plain Andy")

(He didn't quite make it on the race track but was an amazing jumper. I sold him my senior year in high school to focus on getting my pilot's license. When Sienna gets older I hope to start riding again.....it made me fearless and responsible!)

My husband Brett fly fishing in Henry's Fork, Idaho, 2000

One of my first portrait ads for Photo Corporation of America

(I wasn't a baby model.... my dad was president of the company.... so I worked for free, haha! I wasn't even that cute! But I guess every parent thinks their kid is the most beautiful baby ever. My brother and sister were also in the ads when they were born. An 8x10 professional portrait was only 88 cents!) 

My dad at the Senior British Open Championship, 2001

(He has competed in four so far!)

My daughter Sienna - 11 months old

(This was our 2007 Christmas card photo)

My daughter Sienna feeding her baby doll

Me, my mother-in-law Gale, and sister-in-law Jen tubing in Lake Tahoe

(We spend some of July in Incline Village every year....tubing is NOT easy! Actually, it is downright scary if my brother-in-law Jason is pulling us!)

My husband Brett and Sienna (at one year old) at our favorite local park.  

(She was just learning to walk....how funny is her hair!)