A Lovely Way to Display Your Children’s Annual School Picture

a plan that will work not just for this year,

but for every year is what I need.

I can’t wait for my children’s annual school pictures! Without fail, each year, their photo tells a little bit about them. From smiling with teeth to smiling without. One year it was getting the bangs just right but the last few years have included me wondering whether or not they will wear yet another black shirt. It’s these details that make each one special to me.

Annual school portraits are a tradition that really highlight your child’s growth year after year. But instead of letting them gather dust in a drawer, why not display them in an intentional and meaningful way? 

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I love framing portraits, but when you are getting an updated portrait annually it’s so nice to have other options.

I love to set myself up for success so making a plan that will work not just for this year, but for every year is what I need.

A very simple yet uncommon way to both store and display these portraits is by using photo boxes. Photo boxes were the first product I ever carried in the studio and will always carry because they are so easy.  

Here’s how you can make the most out of this practical and quite honestly just lovely way to organize your child’s annual school portraits.

Keep portraits organized and well preserved 

Photo boxes are perfect for safely storing years’ worth of school portraits. By placing each year’s photo in a dedicated box, you can keep them organized and in pristine condition. I’m not talking about the plastic or cardboard ones that are also very useful though. I’m referring to the pretty ones that are primarily lovely boxes.

Choose a gorgeous box 

Before I started to use professional-exclusive photography products, I used Etsy! The quality can really vary but reading reviews and doing your research can really help you find products that show off your child’s school portrait in a way that also just looks great in your home.

Glass Photography Box

I love, love, love these glass photo boxes. They are so pretty and something I used to carry in my studio. Ultimately, I stopped carrying them in lieu of something sturdier. 

I personally own one because I still think that photo boxes are so pretty. This is something I would display on a high out of reach of little kids but because its glass your child’s portraits would be visible with closed lid. 

Linen Box

These photo boxes are beautiful. The linen covered boxes again are a way to keep pictures preserved and together. 

Again, this is something I would keep on a high shelf out of reach of my very young kids' hands. The con is that over time the linen cases can show evidence of holding.  Just be sure to include these in your regular dusting routine.

Personalize the Box 

Make the photo box even more special by personalizing it with your child’s name. Some boxes can be embossed or personalized by embossing.  Also, you can keep other small mementos from school in these boxes. Special certificates or awards would be so nice in these boxes. 

Keep Photo box and framed portrait together

To make the most of both display and storage, pair your photo box with a small framed portrait. You can store all of your child’s school pictures in the box and then rotate through them by placing one on the stand. This is an easy way to enjoy each portrait and reminisce about earlier years while keeping the entire collection neatly tucked away.

By using photo boxes, you’ll have a practical way to both display and store your child’s school pictures for years to come. Whether you keep the latest portrait on the top of the pile or rotate through the collection on a stand, this way of displaying portraits ensures that these fleeting years are kept safe, organized, and always close at hand.

If you have a question or have an idea for your child’s annual portraits, I’d love to hear it. Send me an email.