Big Photos in Small Spaces

I love using large photos. They are a great way to showcase my favorite images and they have a dramatic impact, especially when used in smaller albums. Here are three ways I have used big photos in my recent Hawaii travel album.

The Full Page Photo

This option is the simplest, and the one I return to most often, mostly because I am always happy with the way it looks in my album. You can choose whether you want the photo to be inside or outside of the page protector, both look great. For this layout, I chose to keep it inside the page protector because I find the photos hold up longer. For full-page photos, I try not to over think the embellishments. The photo is doing the work here, so I find that minimal embellishment allows for less distraction for the viewer and allows your special photos to shine. In traveler’s notebook, 3×8 and 6×8 sized albums, I find this works best with vertical photos.

The Fold-Out

This option is great for when you want to showcase a special horizontal photo. Since this photo is nearly twice as wide as your page protector, you have more space to add embellishments, should you choose. I find adding elements to the corners, or a large center element can add to the layout without overwhelming the photo. This also works great in traveler’s notebook, 3×8 and 6×8 sized albums. You can choose whether you want to have your photo take up the whole foldout, or only part, both look great. I normally will back the photo on pattern paper that matches whatever kit I’m using for continuity, and use some sort of tab or flap which gives you a place to hold the page without getting fingerprints all over the photo!

The Pocket

If you want your layout to have an interactive element, you can add a pocket to hold your large photo. This is also an option if you want to hold multiple large photos or even ephemera. Pockets can be made with pattern paper, vellum or even fabric, all of which add different textures to your layout. Pockets can be attached with redline tape, glue, or sewn on with thread as I did with this layout.

For this layout, I happened to have two photos that were almost exactly the same, but one had my son in it, and one did not. I used the one without him as the background, sewed on my pocket with vellum, and cut the one with him in it so that the horizon lines lined up. You can also use pattern paper as a background.

I hope this gives you some ideas about how to add large photos to your albums! If you try any of these ideas I would love to see them! Please feel free to tag me on instagram @alphins_little_corner