Having a professional family photoshoot is a great way to get high-quality photos of your family that you can frame and cherish forever, proudly displaying them on your wall. Whether it’s just a couple, parents with their kids, or the whole extended family, you can get great results for your family portrait. 

But maybe you don’t want the old, stuffy idea of four people stood together nicely in perfect height order, or sat politely with their hands on their laps. If this isn’t for you, then you don’t have to worry. You can do lots of fun or crazy poses during your professional photoshoot. The photographer may even have some of their own ideas that you can try.

Here are some fun ideas that could make a great family photo for your walls…

Green screen

If you don’t want a traditional picture in front of a plain backdrop, find a photographer who can do photoshoots in front of a green screen background. This means you can choose from a variety of backdrops, whether you want to transport yourself to Paris or fly off into space. You can choose a variety of fun and interesting backdrops and strike a pose in front of them.

Get messy

If you’ve got young kids, then life in your house likely never looks as neat and tidy as a posed family portrait does. Celebrate this messiness in your family photo by capturing a moment of fun and chaos. You could have a water fight or a food fight in front of the camera and let the photographer capture the chaos. Your kids are sure to love it, which is easier than trying to convince them to smile for the camera.

Dress up

You don’t have to be in your Sunday best to take a family photo. Why not dress up as your favorite characters or celebrities? This is one that’s likely to appeal to kids and adults alike. You could all dress up as superheroes or characters from your favorite movie, for example, even better if they’re a family themselves. Get fun and wacky for an interesting family photo that shows off your personality.

Recreate an old photo

This is a popular one for grown-up siblings to do for their parents. Find an old photo of when you were babies or young children – the goofier and more embarrassing the better! Now recreate that photo by striking the same poses and even recreating the outfits you wore (or didn’t wear in the case of embarrassing bath time photos). These photos can make fun and touching gifts for your parents.

Make your family photos fun and unique, and make them worthy of the wall with custom framing from Tanglewood Art and Frame. Contact us to find out more about our services in Clemmons and Winston Salem, NC.

If you’re producing your own art, whether that’s paintings, drawings, photographs, or whatever else, then you want to be able to show off your hard work in the best way. But how do you go about this when you’re in the early days of your career, or even if art is still a hobby that you want to turn into something more? Let’s look at some tips and ideas to help you out.

Social media and other online platforms are a great way to get exposure for your work, gauge interest, and even get feedback on your art. Instagram, in particular, is an extremely visual platform with a massive user base. Facebook can still be a good option if you’re targeting a local audience, while TikTok is the latest platform to take the world by storm, especially among younger generations.

If you’re looking to sell your work online, then creating an Etsy store can be a great place to start. People browse Etsy for something unique to buy as a gift or for themselves, so it’s perfect for showcasing your art. For photographers, you could also try stock photo sites. While the pay may not be big, it’s a good way to start bringing in a bit of income from your work. Check out some other sites where you can try selling your art.

Presenting your work physically

A piece of art is almost always going to look better in person than online, so how do you break into the physical world when you’re starting to show and sell your art. One option is to open your own store or gallery to showcase your work and attract interested buyers, but of course, this takes quite a bit of capital to get started.

An earlier step could be to create a portfolio of your work to show to interested parties, particularly if you’re going to be pitching to galleries to show your work, for example. This is a much lower-cost investment that still allows you to show others your talent and show that you’re serious about pursuing your craft.

Then there’s the possibility of having your art shown in another gallery or exhibition. Do some research into local galleries and upcoming exhibitions in your area to see if anything would be a good fit, and don’t be afraid to reach out. You may face rejections, but each one is a step towards your work getting featured somewhere. Here are some tips to help you get your work exhibited.

Whether you’re presenting your work in your own store or an independent gallery, it needs to look professional. Custom framing your art could be the perfect finishing touch. Get in touch with Tanglewood Art and Frame to find out more about our custom framing services in Winston Salem and how we can bring the best out of your work.

You don’t need to pay for a professional photographer to get photos worthy of custom framing and hanging on your wall or placing on the mantel. You can buy your own camera for a reasonably affordable price, and even smartphone cameras can produce some impressive photos these days.

Once you’ve taken your photos, you can even improve them using various photo editing apps to make sure they’re really frameable. Let’s look at some of the free photo editing apps you could try.

Adobe Photoshop Express

Photoshop is well known for its photo editing skills, but the full program can be difficult to understand if you don’t have any design or editing skills, not to mention expensive. Luckily, Adobe have a free version of Photoshop for iPhones and Android devices that gives you some of the program’s basic and even some more advanced functions for editing photos on your smartphone.

With Adobe Photoshop Express, you can crop images, remove red-eye, apply filters, adjust things like brightness and contrast, and much more. And it’s intuitive and easy to use on a touchscreen. If you have more experience with Photoshop, then you might want to try Adobe’s Lightroom Photo Editor, another free Photoshop app but with slightly more sophisticated and complex features for those who know how to use them.

Snapseed

Snapseed is another free photo editing app with an impressive range of tools and pro editing features that let you finetune your photos. Use a brush tool, adjust white balance and other levels, adjust the perspective, as well as all your basic photo editing tools like cropping and adding filters. One of the great things about this app is that you can edit your favorite filters to apply them perfectly, or even create your own.

LiveCollage

If you can’t choose just one photo that’s worthy of your walls, then why not make a collage out of a few of your favorites? LiveCollage and a variety of other collage apps allow you to easily and seamlessly stitch photos together however you like. You can choose from thousands of layouts on LiveCollage to get your photos just how you like them, as well as experimenting with different styles and backgrounds.

Adobe Photoshop Fix

Did you have an annoying pimple on the day of your family photo or while taking photos with friends? Or perhaps you want to hide the dark circles under your eyes from your lack of sleep? Another of Adobe’s free Photoshop apps, Adobe Photoshop Fix makes it easy to hide and remove these kinds of blemishes. You can even adjust the size, shape, and position of someone’s facial features if you really want to tinker with how you or others look in the photo.

Once you’ve finished experimenting with photo editing and have the perfect pictures to display in your home, contact Tanglewood Art and Frame or visit us in-store for professional custom framing services to suit you.

When you’re browsing or shopping for store-bought photo frames, you will commonly see both wooden and metal frames. If you’re designing and buying a custom frame, then you’ll need to choose the material of your frame, too. So, if you’re deciding between metal and wood frames, let’s look at some of the differences and benefits of the aesthetics of each.

Metal picture frames

Metal picture frames are a good choice if you’re looking for a modern aesthetic or even an industrial one depending on the materials and finishes you use. So, if the piece you’re framing has a modern look and feel to it, then a metal frame could complement it perfectly. Or perhaps the modern aesthetic matches the design and décor of the room you are placing the frame in.

A variety of metals can be used for picture frames, including aluminum, silver, and bronze. Each will have its own style and benefits. Aluminum is a particularly lightweight option for framing as well as a more affordable one than silver and bronze. These are all durable options and can be more cost-effective than wood frames. And you’ve got lots of choices when it comes to choosing colors and finishing your frame.

Wood picture frames

Wood is a classic look for your photo frames and can have a wide variety of styles and shades. MDF is a common material used for wooden frames, although a range of hardwoods and softwoods can also be used for different aesthetics and greater durability. Both engineered and natural wood can be used as well. 

Applying different finishes to the wood will also have a big impact on how it looks. You can opt for a frame with a rustic appeal or something a little more polished. You can have pretty much any shade of brown imaginable between different types of wood and finishes, as well as the option to paint it a completely different color to match the palette of the room and its décor.

Compared to metal, wood frames add a little more warmth to the room and can be more unique due to the slight variations in grain from natural wood. Wood is a durable material, although they can be more expensive than metal frames depending on the material you choose.

Visit Tanglewood in-store or contact us online to find out more about our custom framing services. We can frame almost anything you want, from 2D art to 3D memorabilia and lots more.

A photo can make the perfect personal gift for a loved one. The possibilities are practically endless when it comes to taking or finding a photo to give as a gift. If you need some ideas, then here are a few options that the recipient is sure to love. 

A photo of the recipient

Many people shy away from photos of themselves for a number of reasons, often because we don’t think we’re very photogenic. So, a photo of the recipient where they look nice or they look particularly happy could make a great gift. Photos like these are great to look back on as you get older.

A photo of the people they care about

But the recipient doesn’t have to be in the photo to make it a nice gift. If you’re getting a framed photo for your parents, for example, then a nice photo of you and your siblings together or of their grandchildren together will mean a lot to them. Pet photos also make great gifts for anyone with a pet.

A group or family photo

The next option combines the above two ideas; a photo of the recipient with their loved ones, so everyone’s involved. This could be a family photo, whether small or large, or a photo of the recipient with their friends. Or you could just use a photo of you and the recipient together, whether that’s a mother/daughter photo, two friends together, or husband and wife, for example. 

Candid photos

Candid photos are great for capturing special moments, where people are enjoying the moment rather than posing. Take photos on a regular basis to capture the best candid photos, and try to be like a fly on the wall. Take photos of your kids while they’re playing, your friends when you’re enjoying some drinks together or getting ready to go out together, or your family when you’re on holiday together. They won’t always be great, but the ones that are can make the perfect frameable gift.

Photos of special moments

Maybe your loved one has done something amazing that they won’t want to forget, like graduating or going sky diving. Something that they’ll want to boast about to friends and look back on fondly. These achievements or special moments are great choices for framing and hanging on the wall.

Whatever moment you want to be framed, for you or a loved one, Tanglewood Art and Frame are here to make it happen. Get in touch to find out more about our custom framing services or bring whatever you want framing into our store in Clemmons, NC.

When you think about framing things to put on your walls, your mind probably goes straight to paper. Photos, drawings, paintings, certificates. Whatever it is you’re thinking of, it’s probably flat. But why should the pleasure of framing and preserving meaningful or beautiful thing stop there?

When it comes to custom framing, you can frame lots of different things that you might not have even thought of before. Read on for some ideas of different things you can frame with us and why you might want to do so.

Clothes

Old clothes can serve as great memories of the past, especially things like baby clothes, sports uniforms, and graduation gowns. Usually, these things just get left in a box somewhere or thrown out. By framing an important item of clothing, you can preserve it and keep it on display in your home. Read more about framing clothes here.

Memorabilia

Memorabilia like concert tickets and souvenirs from events help you to remember special nights with family or friends. You can put these things together in a framed collage to commemorate an event or a relationship. For example, a collection of all the movie stubs you and your partner have collected together.

Books

You can frame larger items like books in a display case. Light books may be suitable for framing and mounting on the wall, while heavier ones can be placed in a freestanding display case.

Textiles

A sample of your child’s baby blanket is a great example of a meaningful textile you can frame for display. Perfect if you can’t decide what to do with something like this.

Maps

Is there a specific place that means a lot to you? Maybe it’s an old holiday destination, your place of birth, or the place you and your partner first met. Framing a map of this area is a good way to commemorate this.

Children’s toys

Your child’s toys are something else that can mean a lot to you and your family, but often just end up causing clutter. Choose your child’s favorite toy and preserve it in a frame or display case.

Souvenirs

You’ve probably collected a lot of souvenirs from past vacations, and they’re probably scattered in a drawer somewhere in your home. Things like postcards, keyrings, and other souvenirs can be framed to remember each vacation.

At Tanglewood Art and Frame, our motto is “if you can carry it in, we can frame it.” This blog just has a handful of ideas of things you can frame, but if you have other ideas, then let us know. Take a look at some of our past projects if you need a little more inspiration. You can also visit us in store in Clemmons, NC to ask us any questions or get your items framed.

When you think about framing things to put on your walls, your mind probably goes straight to paper. Photos, drawings, paintings, certificates. Whatever it is you’re thinking of, it’s probably flat. But why should the pleasure of framing and preserving meaningful or beautiful thing stop there?

When it comes to custom framing, you can frame lots of different things that you might not have even thought of before. Read on for some ideas of different things you can frame with us and why you might want to do so.

Clothes

Old clothes can serve as great memories of the past, especially things like baby clothes, sports uniforms, and graduation gowns. Usually, these things just get left in a box somewhere or thrown out. By framing an important item of clothing, you can preserve it and keep it on display in your home. Read more about framing clothes here.

Memorabilia

Memorabilia like concert tickets and souvenirs from events help you to remember special nights with family or friends. You can put these things together in a framed collage to commemorate an event or a relationship. For example, a collection of all the movie stubs you and your partner have collected together.

Books

You can frame larger items like books in a display case. Light books may be suitable for framing and mounting on the wall, while heavier ones can be placed in a freestanding display case.

Textiles

A sample of your child’s baby blanket is a great example of a meaningful textile you can frame for display. Perfect if you can’t decide what to do with something like this.

Maps

Is there a specific place that means a lot to you? Maybe it’s an old holiday destination, your place of birth, or the place you and your partner first met. Framing a map of this area is a good way to commemorate this.

Children’s toys

Your child’s toys are something else that can mean a lot to you and your family, but often just end up causing clutter. Choose your child’s favorite toy and preserve it in a frame or display case.

Souvenirs

You’ve probably collected a lot of souvenirs from past vacations, and they’re probably scattered in a drawer somewhere in your home. Things like postcards, keyrings, and other souvenirs can be framed to remember each vacation.

At Tanglewood Art and Frame, our motto is “if you can carry it in, we can frame it.” This blog just has a handful of ideas of things you can frame, but if you have other ideas, then let us know. Take a look at some of our past projects if you need a little more inspiration. You can also visit us in store in Clemmons, NC to ask us any questions or get your items framed.

It’s a great moment for parents when your child comes home from school with their latest creation, and you get to stick it up on the fridge to show them how proud you are. But these moments shouldn’t just be limited to what they’re told to draw in school. They could be having fun with drawing, painting, and more creative pursuits after school, at the weekend, or in the school holidays.

The benefits of kids creating art

Creating art has so many benefits for kids. Mentally and emotionally speaking, art can be a great way to express ideas and feelings, especially at an age where they might not have the ability to really express how they feel through words. It’s a way of expressing themselves and exploring their thoughts and personality. It’s also a fun and engaging activity, providing some variety, especially if you’re trying to encourage your child to spend less time in front of screens.

Art also helps your child’s development in a number of ways, helping to support their education at the same time. It aids in developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, among other abilities. It can also be a useful tool for understanding concepts being taught to them, which is why drawing and painting are such popular activities in schools.

How to encourage your kids to create

So, how do you encourage your child to pursue art and other creative activities in their free time? One way is to get involved with them. You could each sit down and draw or paint a picture. Encourage them to draw whatever they want or you could set a theme or something more specific to draw. For younger children who may not be able to create their own art, you could draw an outline of a picture for them and have them color it in, similar to a coloring book but in a more engaging way that lets you bond with your child.

Buying your child a variety of arts and crafts supplies can also encourage them to be more creative. If you buy a selection of coloring pencils, crayons, and paint supplies, then they can choose what they want to do and what to create. Designing a space for their art activities can also be helpful, especially for messy activities like painting where they need to be able to create without making too much mess.

Finally, celebrating your child’s art by praising them and displaying their art will encourage them to do more.

If your child creates something that’s worthy of remembering and celebrating, then why not get it custom framed to stick up on the wall or on the mantlepiece? Contact Tanglewood Art and Frame or visit us in-store to find out more about our custom framing services around Clemmons and Winston Salem, NC.

A photo can make the perfect personal gift for a loved one. The possibilities are practically endless when it comes to taking or finding a photo to give as a gift. If you need some ideas, then here are a few options that the recipient is sure to love.

A photo of the recipient

Many people shy away from photos of themselves for a number of reasons, often because we don’t think we’re very photogenic. So, a photo of the recipient where they look nice or they look particularly happy could make a great gift. Photos like these are great to look back on as you get older.

A photo of the people they care about

But the recipient doesn’t have to be in the photo to make it a nice gift. If you’re getting a framed photo for your parents, for example, then a nice photo of you and your siblings together or of their grandchildren together will mean a lot to them. Pet photos also make great gifts for anyone with a pet.

A group or family photo

The next option combines the above two ideas; a photo of the recipient with their loved ones, so everyone’s involved. This could be a family photo, whether small or large, or a photo of the recipient with their friends. Or you could just use a photo of you and the recipient together, whether that’s a mother/daughter photo, two friends together, or husband and wife, for example.

Candid photos

Candid photos are great for capturing special moments, where people are enjoying the moment rather than posing. Take photos on a regular basis to capture the best candid photos, and try to be like a fly on the wall. Take photos of your kids while they’re playing, your friends when you’re enjoying some drinks together or getting ready to go out together, or your family when you’re on holiday together. They won’t always be great, but the ones that are can make the perfect frameable gift.

Photos of special moments

Maybe your loved one has done something amazing that they won’t want to forget, like graduating or going sky diving. Something that they’ll want to boast about to friends and look back on fondly. These achievements or special moments are great choices for framing and hanging on the wall.

Whatever moment you want to be framed, for you or a loved one, Tanglewood Art and Frame are here to make it happen. Get in touch to find out more about our custom framing services or bring whatever you want framing into our store in Clemmons, NC.

When you have a piece of art or a photograph you want to display in your home, you’ll need to go out and get it framed. Framing a picture helps to protect it and makes it look good on your wall. When it comes to this task, you have two main options – buy a frame from a store and frame the picture yourself, or go to a professional for custom framing.

Custom framing may sound like an unnecessary investment, but there are lots of advantages to choosing a professional framing service. Here are just a few of those advantages:

Specialized materials

Professional framers have access to high-quality, specialized materials and, more importantly, they understand how and when to use them. Frames available to buy in a store often use standard materials that are prone to damage pieces of art. Professional art framers will use things like glass that protects from UV rays and will know when to use these kinds of materials.

Custom shapes and sizes

Frames available to buy in store are only available in certain dimensions. This means that, if your artwork doesn’t happen to perfectly match one of these standard sized-frames, it will have to be stuffed in to fit the best closest match, which can lead to damage. Professional framers can design a frame specifically to fit your piece of art. So, even if you want to frame something with unusual dimensions or an awkward shape, you can walk away with the perfect fit.

Unique

With a custom frame, you can get something that’s truly unique, rather than buying a mass-produced frame that’s available for anyone to buy. This is especially important if what you’re having framed is unique. If you want to frame a nice family photo or your child’s best artwork, then it deserves and equally unique home to live in.

Preservation

One of the main objectives of framing something is to protect and preserve it, and custom framing is the best way to do this. A professional will use techniques and materials that are intended to keep your art in the best possible condition. Materials that contain acid can wash out and damage artwork, for example. Professional framing will keep your art looking good and will also help to retain its value, helping you to preserve your memories.

If you’re in need of a custom framing service, then contact Tanglewood Art and Frame Gallery. We serve North Carolina including Clemmons, Advance, Winston Salem, Bermuda Run, Lewisville, and Mocksville.