Black & white photography is timeless. It adds depth to its surroundings and can bring an instant element of class and elegance to a room. However some people shy away from the idea of using black and white photos for decorating, afraid it will look dull and lack creativity. This could not be more untrue. Black and white is the perfect medium for decorating with pictures in any room in the house; even a child’s bedroom. The key is in knowing how to use it.

 Tips for decorating with black and white photography:

Tip 1: Black and white photos are ideal for decorating brightly colored walls because they won’t conflict with the surrounding color. Use the same frame style and color for every picture to prevent competition, while drawing one’s eye to the subject of the photo. Solid black or white frames with white matting work well with vivid backgrounds. 

Tip 2: Adorn a child’s room with black and white prints of a subject they love. Baseball fans will be thrilled by the variety of vintage shots featuring famous sluggers and well-known stadiums. For a child who adores animals, black and white pictures of puppies, kittens or horses play well against pale blue or pink walls. 

Tip 3: Teenage girls enjoy themed decor such as Paris, glamorous movie stars or dance. Paired in brightly colored or black frames against white or cream walls, black and white photos will blend in beautifully with her inspiration.

Tip 4: Neutral colored walls in a living space form the perfect pallet for black and white art. Photos of the beach or ocean framed in distressed white, light blue or natural wood give a special touch to a coastal themed room. A more modern and chic look can be achieved by combining photos in both black and white frames in a beige room with white trim and shelves and black wrought iron wall hangings, candle holders and lamps.  

Black and white photos can be dramatic, playful, elegant or glamorous, bringing tremendous beauty and infinite possibilities for decorating to a home. Consider the possibilities in your own home and then browse our large selection of black and white photography.  

Vintage photography just might be the perfect gift for those people on your holiday list that are hard to buy for, whether it's because they already have everything, they are hard to please, or are business associates or service providers that you just don't know well on a personal level.  

Vintage photography has several advantages as a holiday present.  For one thing, it is highly unlikely your recipient will already have what you picked out, or get a duplicate from someone else.  In addition, there are pictures to appeal to every taste.  Does your dad love sports? Instead of the usual team logo item, find him a vintage picture of their great victory.  Is your sister into travel?  Old photographs of some of the locales on her bucket list are sure to make her smile and just might spur her on to plan a trip.  If your best friend loves old movies, pictures from the golden age of Hollywood will remind her of her favorites.  For the history buff, famous newspaper shots make an excellent choice, and there are plenty vintage photographs available to appeal to fans of specialty interests such as sailing, auto racing, or thoroughbred horses.  

Vintage photos can even be a great hostess gift for holiday celebrations, as they make a fresh alternative to a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers. (If you are not sure of the person's taste, something general like a still life or a scene from nature is a pretty safe bet.)  Vintage photos are relatively inexpensive in relation to the pleasure they will bring.  For someone special, framing the vintage photograph or having it mounted on canvas makes the present more substantial, or you can pick several photographs from a category and start a collection for them.  

The next time you are unsure what to get someone, don't take the easy way out and grab a gift card from the supermarket checkout.  Vintage photograph is a thoughtful gift that shows you went to real effort to come up with something the recipient would like.