Wherever you go – be it near or the other end of the world – the things you see and experience make you richer. There is just so much world out there that we have the privilege to see: Man-made marvels, natural wonders, and extraordinary people. Seeing them with your very own eyes is a priceless experience. But once you leave and return back home, all you have are your memories of those places. With photos, you can take a little bit of those intangible memories and make them tangible. You can share those experiences, in part, with friends and family. You can enrich your home with them and – perhaps most importantly – you can keep those memories alive and vibrant. Because while most memories will fade over time, photos can last for more than a lifetime. Modern technology has made it possible to capture what we see in splendid quality, almost lifelike. The key is to use it and make use of it. On your camera or phone, the pictures are safe and sound. But they can’t develop their true potential as files on a computer or storage card. There are many ways to make the most of your photos. Here are the top ones to turn photos into special decorative items for your home:
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Wall decorations
In many stores, you can buy wall decorations with photos of beautiful places around the world. They are popular because they inspire us or take us away when we need to forget our daily lives. But wall decorations made with your very own photos are a whole new level. Apart from bringing the places you’ve seen into your home, they also carry meaning and awaken your memories of special times. You can actually think back to wonderful moments of your travels and not just look at a picture of a pretty place. There are a lot of places where you can use your photo to create a wall decoration. Some focus on price, others on their variety of options, and yet others simply have the very best quality. Typically, you can choose from different formats, such as small square tiles up to A3-sized pieces. You will also see a variety of materials. Most popular are canvasses and glass or glass-like materials. Depending on your own decorating style and taste, you can configure just the right fit for your home. And the best part: From choosing the wall decoration to ordering it, it doesn’t have to take longer than a few minutes. Upload your photo, ensure it all fits and the resolution is good, and you’re ready to order. If you’re more of a Do-it-yourself kind of guy or gal, there are also lots of creative ways to use simple prints for wonderful wall decorations. With only a world map, some string, pins, and your photos, your living room can become a visual representation of where you’ve been.
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Photo books
Back in “the old days”, photo books (or photo albums) were put together by hand. Taking and printing photos used to be much more expensive and thus people were more careful and deliberate in taking pictures. Once printed, they were meticulously placed into an empty photo album and labelled carefully. Nowadays, we can upload our vast number of holiday pictures and create photo books by choosing the best ones, placing them creatively, adding decorations, and much more. We have the choice of hard or softcover photo books in various shapes and sizes. Imagine that special photo of your last holiday spread across two A3 pages, without any gap between them (it’s called lay-flat pages). It really makes an impression and you can see every little detail! One factor is typically the price of photo books. Depending on the extras, the size, and the quality, a photo book can cost quite a bit. That’s why it’s usually a good idea to have a look around for deals. There’s many pages dedicated to offering such deals, for instance, Photo Book deals. A good deal can really make a difference. The great thing about photo books is that you can tell your story just the way you want to. You can add anecdotes or poetry, graphics or flourishes, and much more to turn an ordinary picture book into your story of wherever you’ve been. It’s great for sharing these experiences with friends and family and taking a small holiday from everyday life whenever you want to.
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Accessories
Things don’t have to be big to be beautiful. Sometimes it’s the little things in life that can make all the difference. To bring a little bit of faraway back home and remind you of special memories, there are some great creative accessories you can make yourself or order online. Examples are everyday items like keychains, smartphone cases, calendars, or even a t-shirt featuring your photos. The possibilities are endless and the prices typically not too steep. You can create your own accessories online really easily. One such place offering lots of customisable items is Zazzle, but there are many more out there. The advantages of photo accessories are clear: They’re eye-catchers, often practical, and absolutely unique.
So if you’re interested in bringing some of your travel memories home and making the most of them, your photos really are the key to success. With so many things becoming standardised and mass-produced, a little bit of individuality can go a long way. It is one great way of turning a house into a home.
About the author
Flavio is a passionate hobby photographer and Online Marketing professional. He runs his own blog www.longato.co.uk. Already during his time at university, Flavio dedicated a lot of his time to photography, mainly for events and portraits. He always keeps up with the latest technical developments and today dedicates himself mainly to travel and aerial photography.
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