If you’re considering an in-home documentary family photo session in Tucson, you’ve probably wondered something very practical:

“Okay… but what happens after the session?”

Because taking the photos is only half the story. The part that changes your daily life is what you do with the images afterward—how you preserve them, how you see them, and how you live with them.

This post explains exactly what my process looks like after your session, including the ordering consultation, how we design albums + wall art to scale, and how I make sure your finished artwork actually ends up on your walls (not leaning in a corner for months).

First: we start the ordering consultation with a slideshow

At your ordering consultation, we begin with a slideshow so you can simply enjoy your images first—no decision-making, no pressure. Just the story of your family, as it unfolded.

Then we slow down and move into selection and design.

Next: you choose your favorites (with guidance)

After the slideshow, we go through your images together and you choose your favorites.

Here’s how most families end up using them:

Top favorites → become wall art (statement pieces or gallery walls)
Other favorites → become an album and/or thick fine art prints in a photo box

So you’re not forced into choosing “only a few” images for everything. Your very best images get the spotlight on the walls, and the rest still become something tangible and beautiful you’ll revisit for years.

Why wall art matters for kids (it’s more than decor)

Seeing themselves displayed in their home can be genuinely meaningful for children.

Many child and family therapists talk about how family photographs reinforce a child’s sense of belonging, security, and “I matter here.” In other words, it’s not just pretty—it’s a daily reminder that they are deeply loved and part of something steady.

Wall art design: interior design meets photography

If you’re drawn to wall art but you’re thinking, “I can’t picture it,” you’re exactly who my process is for.

Step 1: I photograph your walls (before your ordering consultation)

At the end of your photo session—or during your in-person planning appointment prior to your session—I take photographs of the walls you’d like to redesign or that currently feel empty.

Step 2: I create multiple wall-art designs using software that shows everything to scale

I use a software program that lets me design wall art compositions to scale, using photos of your actual walls.

That means we can preview options like:

a gallery wall with multiple framed images (3, 4, 6+ frames—whatever fits)
a clean, simple look with just a few frames
or one large 5-foot statement piece that completely transforms a room

I’m not just thinking about “what looks good as a photograph.” I’m looking at the whole wall and the room’s aesthetic—spacing, balance, visual weight, and what will feel right in your home.

Different wall art design options presented to client using computer software at ordering consultation. They chose the middle one. See below for final installation.

Step 3: At your ordering consultation, you see the finished wall design on your TV

During your ordering consultation, I project the wall designs onto your TV from my computer so you can see exactly what the finished wall will look like—to scale, with frame color/style options included.

You don’t have to guess. You’ll know what it’s going to look like before you order.

Step 4: We collaborate and fine-tune in real time

We start with the design options I’ve prepared based on your preferences from our planning session. Then we refine.

Example of how this works in real life:
A recent client saw designs for their wall with 6 frames, 3 frames, and a statement piece. They asked, “Can we see what it looks like with 4 frames?” So I did a quick redesign on the spot—and that ended up being their favorite.

From there, we choose details like:

mat width
frame style
frame color

And you’re seeing those choices right on the screen, on your own wall, so you can feel confident.

Step 5: I come back and install it for you

When your wall art arrives from the professional lab, I come to your home again, measure, and hang each framed piece.

This is a huge benefit, because gallery walls can take a long time to hang properly—measuring, centering, balancing spacing, and getting everything level.

A common guideline is to hang artwork so the center sits around 60 inches from the floor (average eye height). From there, we adjust based on furniture height, ceilings, and the specific wall.

Finished wall art, installed in a client’s home.

Albums, photo boxes, wall art, or all—it’s your call

Many clients choose both wall art and an album, because they serve different purposes:

wall art = daily enjoyment
album = the full story in one place

But you can absolutely choose just one or the other depending on your preferences, your home, and how you want to enjoy your images.

Deep matte cotton rag heirloom album. This is a deckled edge finish. Also comes in a straight edge. Thick paper that has a hand-made feel.

Album design is done for you (and it’s fully custom)

If you’re ordering an album, you don’t have to design anything yourself.

I take your favorite images and hand-design the album for you, creating a layout that tells the story beautifully from beginning to end. You’ll choose from a variety of album colors and fabrics so it feels just right for your home and your style.

When your album arrives from the lab, I hand deliver it—so you don’t have to worry about shipping issues, and you get to experience it in the way it was meant to be experienced: in your hands.

Heirloom quality, made to last for generations

All products I offer are archival, heirloom quality—made to last for generations, not just “for now.” These are pieces you can live with, pass down, and trust to hold up beautifully over time.

Photo box in velvet fabric with deep matte cotton rag archival prints with a deckled edge. Also available in straight edge.

“Do you provide digital files?”

Yes—I provide the matching low-resolution digital files of any image you have printed.

These are perfect for:

sharing on social media
emailing to family
keeping on your phone without stressing about file size

For printing, I want you to have the best quality possible. That’s why I produce your artwork through professional labs that work only with professional photographers—the color, paper quality, and longevity are on another level compared to consumer print shops.

The takeaway: you’re not left alone with a giant gallery and a to-do list

A lot of families have had this experience elsewhere:
You receive a link → you download the images → you mean to print them → life happens → nothing gets made.

My process is built to prevent that.

We enjoy the images first (slideshow), choose favorites with guidance, and then turn them into:

wall art designed to scale for your actual home
albums that hold the full story
and/or thick fine art prints in a photo box

And if you want it truly finished-finished, I install your wall art for you.

Ready to plan an in-home documentary family session in Tucson?

If you want family photos that feel real—and you want help turning them into finished artwork you’ll actually see and enjoy every day—reach out to book a call and we’ll plan a session that fits your family and your home.

What Happens After Your Tucson Documentary Family Photo Session? (Wall Art + Albums, Made Easy)