Every family has some, hidden away where no one can see them. Not the family secrets... the family photos. Tucked away in the desk drawer or stashed in a box on the top shelf of the closet are the memories of lifetimes, your priceless family photos. Generations of great aunts, long lost cousins, skinny little brothers and freckled sisters are peeking back from photos just waiting to be framed and displayed for the next generation of your family to see.

These photos in black and white, sepia and color tell the story of your family more completely than mere words ever could. But how do you get them from the drawer to your walls?

A good way to start your family portrait wall is by pulling those old photos out of the albums and boxes and seeing what you have. a call around to other members of the family can yield some interesting photos that you can have copied as well.

Old and new photos can be combined with great results: having a childhood photo of yourself next to a contemporary one of your daughter invites comparisons. Placing them next to one of your mother or grandmother or even great-grandmother makes generational connections for all to see.

A great family evening can be spend looking through old photos and retelling the histories, funny stories and traditions that have been passed down through generations. Don't try to design your wall then, but just enjoy the family ties and pick a handful of pictures to begin framing with.

How you frame your portraits is a matter of taste, but each wall quickly assumes its own character and look. It's nice to find vintage or era reproduction frames that match the style and tone of each photo, or you may opt to mat and frame in a consistent style that reflects your own decor choices. Either way, just make sure your treasured photos are framed archivally to insure the best protections possible. don't overwhelm yourself (or your framer) by trying to frame too many pieces at one time. It's better to do four or five at a time, hang them, live with them for awhile, and then make decisions on our next selections.

In the next installment, we'll discuss some considerations on which walls will work and some tips on how to begin hanging your photos.