Photography Gallery
Photography News
Photo CCD
Roy Stuart Photo Book

A New Way to Use Old Snapshots

If you're like me, you have hundreds of photographs sitting in envelopes. Pictures from birthday parties, weddings, family gatherings, anniversaries, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. You have already put the best snapshots into albums and these are leftovers. You don't want to throw them away, but you also don't know what to do with them.

Instead of letting your snapshots take up space and contribute to the clutter in your home, use them to make collages (at a cost of less than $10 each) that you can give as Christmas gifts to family and friends. Here's how:

  • Assess your collection of pictures. Do you have several dozen of your spouse or significant other? Your parents? Your children? Grandparents? A friend? A beloved pet? Decide which person would like to receive these pictures and divide them into groups accordingly.

  • Buy a picture frame with glass (either 5x7 or 8x10) for each collage you are going to make. Department stores sometimes have sales on picture frames, and you can often purchase a suitable frame for $5 or less.

  • Cut a sheet of paper (use cardstock, 24# paper or light cardboard) to match the size of the opening on the picture frame.

  • Cut out the background of the pictures, leaving just the people (or pets). Cut out enough pictures to cover the sheet of paper.

  • Arrange the cut-out pictures on the paper. Mix and match and experiment. Try placing the pictures at different angles.

  • After you have an idea of how you would like to arrange the pictures, glue them to the paper. (Check the label to make sure that you can use the glue with photographs.) Cover the entire sheet of paper with pictures.

  • When the glue is dry, insert the paper into the frame.

    Collages are not only a good way to use your old snapshots, but the recipients also will cherish them for years to come as a special and thoughtful gift.

    © 2003 LeAnn R. Ralph

    About The Author

    LeAnn R. Ralph is a freelance writer in Wisconsin, is the editor of the Wisconsin Regional Writer (the quarterly publication of the Wisconsin Regional Writers' Assoc.) and is the author of the book: Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm) (August 2003; trade paperback) http://ruralroute2.com

    bigpines@ruralroute2.com

    In The News: VACATION RENTALS



  • Fuji Digital Cameras

    Fuji digital cameras entered the market in the late 90's.... Read More

    How To Become A Digital Photography Pro

    Being a professional digital photographer is a dream many people... Read More

    Tame Those Memories

    Family vacations, summer weddings and family reunions are in full... Read More

    Photography 101 Part 2

    Basic CompositionNow that you are beginning to understand how your... Read More

    Digital Cameras & Resolution

    While analyzing any camera, one of the most important qualities... Read More

    Birthday Party Photo Tips ? How to Make Yours Truly Stand Out

    How many of the birthday party pictures you've seen are... Read More

    Digital Zoom Versus Optical Zoom

    The digital camera is but a technological advancement of the... Read More

    Light and Depth of Field

    With such a fantastic device as the digital camera for... Read More

    Photography Has No Gender

    Women photographers are fortunate. Unlike other titles, photographer has no... Read More

    Get Closer to Your Subject

    Almost any shot will look better if you take two... Read More

    Digital RAW Workflow for Beginners

    Having an efficient work flow is essential for photographers. In... Read More

    Terms Used The In The Stock Photography Business

    So you are a small business person or web designer... Read More

    Your Mobile Digital Darkroom ? Five Tools of the Trade

    While digital photography offers you the ability to review photograph... Read More

    Photographing Kids

    Kids grow up so quickly and while we are often... Read More

    Specialized Styles of Photography

    Outlined below is a list of genres that call for... Read More

    Photo Equipment Lists

    You arrive at your photo shoot excited about the images... Read More

    Digital Photography: The RAW vs JPG Debate

    If you use a digital camera (I use a Canon... Read More

    Getting Your Photos Ready for Sharing

    One of the main reasons people buy digital cameras is... Read More

    Creating Printable Photo Greeting Cards

    STAY CONNECTED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.Making your own digital photo... Read More

    10 Steps to Buying a Digital Camera You Must Know

    You are anxious to purchase your new digital camera! You... Read More

    Is your Digital Camera Compatible With Your Computer?

    So you recently bought a digital camera or perhaps your... Read More

    Kodak Digital Cameras - The Giant Comes To Digital

    George Eastman, founder of Kodak is world renowned today. Digital... Read More

    The Photography Portfolio: Building Your Reputation

    If you have hopes of becoming a professional photographer, or... Read More

    The Well-Dressed Photographer - Summer

    Outdoor photographers shoot year round. That includes the hot summer.... Read More

    Choosing the Right Digital Camera

    Choosing the right digital camera for general use can be... Read More