How to Hang Photos
Photo by andresr via iStock
How to hang photos is a commonly asked question for photographers of all experience levels.
Heck, I was a pro for quite a few years before I finally got myself to the point of being confident hanging photos.
It takes a different eye to hang photos in an aesthetically pleasing manner than it does to compose a great-looking shot.
That being the case, I thought it would be helpful to share a few tips for hanging pictures so you can display your images with pride.
Let's get to it!
How to Hang Photos: Hang Them at Eye Level (Sort Of)
Photo by Lordn via iStock
The first trick for how to hang photos is to ensure that they are at eye level, that way you, your family, and your friends can enjoy them more thoroughly.
The problem is that everyone's eye level is a little different - I'm 6'4" tall and my wife is 5'4" tall, so whose eye level wins?
The answer is that neither one wins...
Instead, the general rule of thumb for how high to hang a picture is around 57 inches on center.
That means that the middle of the photograph should be 57 inches from the floor.
Of course, there's some leeway here (you might go lower to 55 inches or higher to 60 inches) but shoot for around 57 inches and you'll have a good display height.
Learn More:
How to Hang Photos: Give Salon Style a Try
I'll be the first to admit that learning how to hang pictures in a group was a long exercise for me.
Among other issues, I couldn't figure out how to balance the smaller prints with the larger ones in a way that created a photo wall I wanted to even look at.
But I finally figured out that the secret to hanging photos in groups is to tape templates of each photo on the wall, that way you can see the layout and flow.
I just used parchment paper and some painter's tape - I cut the paper to size for each print, labeled each one so I knew which photo it represented, taped it on the wall, and moved them around until I had a salon style display I liked (shown above).
Quick Tip: When determining the arrangement of your salon style display, use painter's tape to create a consistent sized buffer between each image. Generally speaking, you should leave between 2-4 inches between each frame so there's some white space surrounding each photo.
How to Hang Photos: Mix and Match Sizes
I'm all for symmetry and clean lines, but that doesn't mean you have to use the exact same size prints when creating a grouping of photos.
I personally like the look created by using different sized prints, like the display shown above.
It's still a beautifully symmetrical and clean display, but having some square prints and rectangular prints gives it a bit more flair and style if you ask me.
Speaking of prints, I think what makes this display so eye-catching is the fact that each image is printed on canvas.
Sure, you can create wall displays using all kinds of different frames, but to my eye, that looks a little cluttered.
With canvas, the frame is behind the image, so you don't have to worry about what the frames look like! For my tastes, having the same kind of border (i.e., mirrored, image wrap, black, or white) on each image gives the display that clean, symmetrical look.
Another reason I like canvas so much is that it looks great in any room - above the fireplace, in the foyer, the dining room, the man cave...you name it!
Plus, canvas is durable, so even if you display your photos in a spot that gets lots of direct sunlight, you won't have to worry about fading, warping, or bubbling, assuming you get your prints from the right folks.
I did a secret shopper challenge a while back and tested canvas prints from multiple well-known companies, and CanvasHQ was the big winner.
Hands-down, these guys had the best quality canvas, inks, and frames (which are hand-made, by the way...see the photo above!), along with competitive prices, fast shipping, and excellent customer service.
I have dozens of canvas prints from CanvasHQ in my house, and I think they look pretty dang awesome.
No matter if they're part of a group of photos or on their own, they look like a million bucks.
If you want your printed photos to really make an impact on your wall, take my advice and give CanvasHQ a try!
