Choosing the Right Frame for Your Photograph

Choosing the Right Frame for Your Photograph

A practical guide to bespoke frames, finishes, mounts, glass and displaying your pictures.

Why does framing matter?

A photograph is only part of the finished picture. The frame you choose affects how it looks on the wall, how it fits with your home and how well it stands up over time. It is worth thinking about the frame as carefully as the photograph itself.

There is no single frame that suits every photograph or every room. The idea is to choose something you will still enjoy looking at years from now.

What is the difference between ready-made and bespoke framing?

A ready-made frame is produced in standard sizes and can usually be bought straight away. A bespoke frame is made to order for a particular photograph. That gives you more choice over its size, moulding ( The type of frame – basically what it looks like), finish and overall appearance And often build quality.

With bespoke framing We give a print to the framer and they will build the frame at the exact shape and size with the frame moulding that the client wants as a one-off order.

What are frame mouldings and finishes?

The moulding is the material around the outside of a picture that forms the frame. Mouldings come in different widths, profiles, colours and finishes. A narrow, simple frame can feel quite different from a wider, more decorative one. Some people prefer flat frames that don’t stick out from the wall. Other people prefer chunky looks.

Finishes matter too. For example, a painted or sprayed finish can create a different result from a moulding with a plastic-coated surface. Look closely at the corners, edges and overall finish, rather than choosing on colour alone. The right choice depends on your photograph and the style you prefer. However, a good quality frame will always beat a cheap plastic finished one, so I always suggest spending a little bit more to get something that looks a lot better!

Should you have a mount around your photograph?

Some people prefer a mount and some prefer their picture without one. There is no right or wrong answer.

A mount adds space between the photograph and the frame and can give a more traditional feel. Without a mount, the result can look simpler and more contemporary. If you are unsure, compare both options before deciding.

What types of glass can you choose?

Standard clear float glass is a straightforward, affordable option with a clear view of the photograph. It can, however, reflect windows, lamps and other light sources.

Traditional non-glare glass, sometimes called etched glass, reduces obvious reflections by scattering the light. The trade-off is that the photograph can look slightly softened or hazy, particularly when the glass sits some distance from the print. Personally, I’d rather see a few reflections than have an image that looks a little bit milky.

Specialist anti-reflective glass, often referred to as art glass, reduces reflections while keeping the photograph looking much clearer. It works on a similar principle to an anti-reflective coating on spectacles. Different grades also offer different levels of UV protection .

Ordinary glass already blocks some ultraviolet light, but specialist UV-protective glass can block substantially more. This may be useful in a bright room. No glass can completely prevent fading over time, though, so it is still best to avoid placing photographs in direct sunlight.

Where should you display your photographs?

My advice is simple: put your favourite photographs somewhere you will actually see them. If it is a feature picture, consider the living room, dining room or another space where you spend a lot of time.

When my children were little, we had a portrait of them above the fireplace. They were about four and six, looking at each other. In the evenings, when we were watching television and adverts came on, I would often glance up at it. They were tucked up in bed, but seeing their smiling faces made it feel as though they were still there with us — only a lot quieter! It was a lovely feeling.

That is why I think where you put a photograph is important. You want to enjoy it, not leave it somewhere you hardly ever look.

What if I do not like any of the frames on display?

At Two Front Teeth Photography, we have around 60 frame options chosen to work with our style of photography. It is very rare that someone cannot find one they like.

If you have a very specific colour or style in mind, please ask. Through our framer, we have access to thousands of other mouldings, and we will do our best to find what you are looking for. If you are using another photographer, it’s always worth checking with them to see if they have a good range of frames and if there’s any room for them to be able to source others if necessary.

Why do bespoke frames take longer to make?

Every bespoke frame is handmade to order, so it takes a little longer than buying one off the shelf. For something that could be hanging on your wall for decades, we think the extra wait is worthwhile.

Please allow around five weeks for framing. If you need a frame sooner for a birthday, anniversary or another special occasion, let us know as early as possible and we will do our best to help. Faster delivery cannot always be guaranteed.

Isn’t it cheaper to buy a ready-made frame?

Yes, buying a ready-made frame can save money. We do not offer off-the-shelf frames at the studio because our aim is to produce photographs that people can enjoy for many years and potentially pass down through generations.

We would rather concentrate on good materials and professional framing than save a few pounds now by choosing something that may need replacing sooner. Quality is important to us, and that is why we offer bespoke framing.

A final thought

Choose a frame you like, think about where you will see the picture every day, and do not feel you have to follow any particular trend. The photograph is yours, and the finished picture should feel right to you.