I used to think an 8 x 12 was a big photo. That’s the size you got if you wanted a photo on the wall. And in some cases, that’s true. Butit really depends on where you are hanging the photos, and how close you will be to them. For instance, I intend to rehang 8x12s in our new hallway – at the close distance we’ll be veiwing them, much bigger would be uncomfortable. But our new living room now looks a little like this:

That wall is around 4 metres long – perfect for a series of three 20x30inch canvases. We also are around 3 to 4 four metres away when veiwing the canvases.

But as well as distance and wall size, the size of the room comes in to play as well. In a large open plan area with lots of windows and light, these close-ups work well in large format. Our front lounge room, while a decent size at around 3 x 3.5m, is a closed room, with smaller windows and a lot less light. So while a 20×30″ canvas would work in there, I would need to be more selective, and perhaps choose a more environmental family portrait. As well, photo prints and canvases use space differently – generally you can go larger in a canvas than a print for the same spot.

So that’s some food for thought when you are planning what photos to put where. I know it’s a lot to think about when choosing your prints, which is why every session includes a complimentary in-home ordering session, to help create wall art that suits your home and style perfectly.