Photo Fixation: Vintage Photographs.

Last week I wasn't able to post because my grandfather had passed away earlier in the week and we were making all the preparations for family members to join us in town as well as the planning and execution of his funeral. It was emotionally and physically draining, but spiritually uplifting to be surrounded by people who love you and who are experiencing the same pain. I am thankful to have been so close to my grandfather and have experienced his personality so fully. He was an incredible man.

As we were preparing all the different items that we wanted to share at the viewing and the funeral, we came across a few photographs of my grandpa and his first wife, my grandma, as well as some of him and his buddies. Most of the photos of my grandfather and his family are stored away at my aunts home and we are hoping one day to be able to get them all scanned to share with the family. They are truly "buried treasure" at this point! ;) But it made me realize how much I long for the history that old photos provide.

When I browse antique stores (a favorite pass-time of mine) and see old family photos for sale, I wonder how they got there. Where are the family members of these people? Do they even know that their history is here, to be sold to whomever happens by the booth? It makes me sad, but also a little bit curious to make up my own "family history" to go with each image. I found some wonderful photographs online to share with you today...
(click on each image for the link to the original image site)













Another fun vintage photo that is getting alot of attention these days is the Polaroid. It makes some very creative and fun images, as well as some nostalgia for people who grew up in the '70's and '80's like I did. I think my favorite parts of the Polaroid images are the fun little frames as well as the unique coloration that an old Polaroid provides.









There are lots of fun options when decorating and scrapping with vintage photos. Some of my favorite LO's feature this type of photo:









One of my all-time favorite LO's that I've created was this one of my husband's uncles. They have passed down a heritage that is wonderful and memorable! I love that I was able to document these two cowboys.



...and aren't I lucky that my own childhood photos are "vintage" now?



It's also fun to use vintage photographs to decorate your home with. Just today I found this darling idea to use for Halloween! I couldn't pass it up. (Make copies of your photos first!)



A few more ideas for displaying vintage photos:









There are lots of awesome actions that will make your own photos look vintage, and even ones that give you that Polaroid look. I found too many to list them all, but these few seemed like a good place to start!

Polaroid and Vintage actions from hypergurl
Multiple vintage looks and a Polaroid from Smashing Magazine
Old Toy Camera found on flickr
Another Polaroid from Addicted to Design
Multiple vintage actions from Coffee Shop

I hope that you have a chance to check out some vintage photos in your free time this week. And that you have found some inspiration for your own photography! Lately I have been drawn to the antique shops more and more as I try to find unique things to use in my home, my photography and my layouts. I am excited to use vintage photographs in all of these aspects of my creative side!