Lighter wood frames work beautifully with pastels and watercolors, while darker woods can complement earthy tones and classical art. Museum-Style Presentation: To achieve a museum-style look, consider opting for a classic black or white frame with a clean design. This approach can lend a timeless appeal to your art.
The goal is to pick a hue that complements rather than contrasts with the dominant colors in the image. For instance, a warm-colored frame, such as one in gold, oak or maple, may be appropriate if the photograph's prominent colors are warm hues like red, orange, or yellow.
White is the go-to colour of choice for casual photos.
A simple black frame is the most widely used. If you want to go a little beyond that a simple lightly colored natural wood frame or a white frame would be your next steps. Again these are just suggestions and your photography and its presentation might dictate other wise.
Pastels and light neutrals (white, pale pink, pale purple, peach, tan, etc) will give a soft, monotone look whereas bold colors (think: navy, bright purple, pink, bold blue, etc) will provide more contrast and help you stand out from the background. Both look great! It's up to you and what you want on your walls.
Since red is the most eye-catching color, it allows us to focus the user's attention on what we need. This color encourages action, so use it tactfully on critical CTAs or as an accent. By itself, red is an attractive color, but you should use it delicately. It's easy to overdo and scare off visitors with this color.
DON'T wear large amounts of all black, all white, or extremely saturated colors (like hot pink), as these do not photograph well. DON'T choose clothing with text or large graphics. These can distract from the real subjects. DO add textures, layers, and/or accessories as the finishing touches and to add interest.
Yes, matching picture frames look elegant and chic, but purposefully mismatched frames can add interest and keep the eye lingering on your work. You can create a similar effect with a gallery wall or a grouping of photographs and artwork.
For framing your prints, matte paper generally works best. Because of the non-glare matte coating, you won't have to be concerned with glass reflections, which can lessen the appeal of your image. The matte surface additionally offers a classic appearance that goes with any type of decor.
Gray and white, however, are safe bets. White walls can act as a reflector in the studio, while shades of gray can absorb some of the light, allowing you to have better control over the lighting during shoots. In my experience as a product photographer, I prefer the control that gray walls provide.
Neutral Elegance: If your artwork features vibrant colors or intricate details, a neutral frame color such as white, black, or shades of gray can provide an elegant and timeless touch. These colors allow the art to take center stage without distractions.
Minimalist Metal Frames: Sleek and Modern
The minimalist metal frame trend continues in 2024, offering a sleek, contemporary look that enhances various art forms. Black Metal Frames: These frames remain a classic choice, providing a sophisticated and versatile backdrop for nearly any artwork.
Glossy photos are the most popular print finish right now. They offer the brightest, most vibrant colours and a super-shiny finish that reflect as much light as possible.
Begin with the artwork. While the concept is simple the frame should complement its colors, textures, and overall feel. Let the art guide your choice so that the frame works in harmony with the piece. Take note of certain aspects of the art that can tie into the frame choice.
Consider your space
Light, neutral spaces are best suited to natural or white frames. White frames on white walls, or black frames on black walls can also be employed to make artwork stand out from its surroundings, as if suspended in space. Don't be afraid to work with a series of sizes and finishes either.
Gloss also reflects light, which can make the photo a little harder to view without moving the photo back and forth or moving where you're standing while viewing it. For this reason, it's typically recommended to go with a matte finish if you plan to frame your print.
Texture often makes all the difference when trying to make a cheaper picture frame look more expensive. Explore sanding surfaces and adding additional texture, like plaster, stains and paint to make it look far more expensive.
If you're looking for vibrant, eye-catching photos with a high shine, a glossy finish might be the way to go. If you prefer a classic, elegant look for your photos, a matte finish might be the best choice. And if you want a balance between the two, a pearl finish might be just what you're looking for.
For a clean and simple piece, consider choosing a frame color that is the complete opposite of that in the picture. This creates a very dramatic effect and draws all eyes to the framed display. This approach could work with any piece, simple or chaotic.
Black frames offer a nice touch of drama while providing your art with a defined territory and personal space. Conversely, white frames work very well with the colourful image and allow for soft emphasis on the artwork. A deep black box frame balances the strong B&W photograph.
Black picture frames are classic and never go out of style. They're a go-to selection choice because of their versatility and ability to mesh harmoniously with so many different decor styles.
Gray, beige, ivory, black, and of course, my favorite, taupe. These colors are timeless, and won't distract the viewer of your images with loud colors, so they can focus more on the two of you. Even a toned down version of a color is great! Lavender is almost always going to photograph better than a bright purple.
Neutral colors are muted shades that appear to lack color but often have underlying hues that change with different lighting. Examples of neutral colors include beige, taupe, gray, cream, brown, black, and white. While neutral colors are not on the color wheel, they complement primary and secondary colors.