How to Choose the Right Prints

(and Why Image Loss Happens)

Printing your photos is one of the most meaningful ways to bring your memories to life—whether it’s a newborn curled in your arms, your toddler running through the waves, or a quiet moment at home. But there’s something most people don’t realize until they go to order prints:

Not every photo fits every print size.
And choosing the wrong size can lead to unexpected cropping or image loss.

This guide breaks it all down so you can print confidently, beautifully, and without surprises—whether you’re a client of mine or someone who simply stumbled across this resource.

Understanding Aspect Ratios: Why Cropping Happens

Every photo is created with an aspect ratio, which is the relationship between its width and height. Most professional cameras—including mine—capture images in a 3:2 aspect ratio.

Print sizes, however, come in a variety of aspect ratios. Some match the original photo perfectly… and others don’t.

When the ratios don’t match, the lab must crop the image to make it fit the size you chose. This is where you may lose part of the background, edges, or even important details.

Print sizes that match the camera’s 3:2 ratio (no cropping needed):

4 × 6
8 × 12
12 × 18
16 × 24
20 x 30
24 x 36

These preserve the full image exactly as it was composed.

Print sizes that require cropping (image loss occurs):

5 × 7
8 × 10
11 × 14
16 × 20

These can trim more off the sides than people expect.

This is especially important for photos with:

Lots of negative space
Architectural lines
Dancers (movement + shape)
Large groups
Scenic landscapes

Composition matters—and cropping changes it.

Canvas Wraps: A Special Note

Canvas wraps require extra bleed because the image wraps around the sides. This means even more cropping unless the photo is composed intentionally for canvas.

When printing canvas, I recommend sticking to 3:2 ratio sizes or choosing images that have plenty of safe space around the edges.

Ordering Your Prints Directly Through Your Gallery (The Easiest + Most Accurate Option)

When you book a session with me, your final images are delivered through a beautiful, easy-to-use online gallery. What many clients love is that you can order professional-quality prints and products directly inside the gallery—no need to guess about labs or worry about image loss.

Here’s how it works:

1. You receive a private gallery link after your session

Inside your gallery, you can:

View your images
Mark favorites
Share with family
Download your files
Shop prints and products

Everything happens in one place.

2. Each photo has built-in print options

Clicking on an image opens a store where you can order:

Standard prints
Fine art prints
Frames
Canvases
Cards
Albums
Specialty products

The gallery automatically shows how the image will appear at every size.

3. You get a live crop preview before checking out

This is a huge benefit.

When you choose a print size:

The preview shows exactly what will be cropped
You can adjust the crop safely
You’re alerted if something important is near the edge
No more guessing. No more surprise trims.

4. Prints are made by a professional lab

Your gallery is connected to a high-end print lab (the same one I trust for my own home). They use:

Archival ink
Museum-quality papers
True-to-edit color profiles
Exceptional craftsmanship
The quality is night-and-day compared to consumer labs (like Walgreens or Walmart).

5. Everything ships straight to your doorstep

Easy, fast, and accurate from start to finish.

Why I recommend ordering through your gallery

Accurate color (consumer labs often shift tones)
High-quality paper + ink
Correct aspect ratios
Built-in crop protection
Products that last for decades

It’s truly the best way to preserve your images exactly as intended.

Don’t Be Afraid to Go Big: Why Larger Prints Look Better

One of the most common things clients tell me after ordering wall art is:
“I wish I had gone bigger.”

Small prints often look tiny or get lost on a wall. Larger prints, however, feel intentional, modern, and emotionally powerful.

A real-life example from my home:

Between two closet doors in my home, there’s a space about 50 inches wide. Traditionally, people might hang an 8×10 or 11×14 there. But small artwork would look like an afterthought in that space.

Instead, I hung a 30×40 horizontal print—and it completely transformed the area.

It:

Fills the space with purpose
Doesn’t feel crowded
Feels like real artwork
Brings emotion into a small, overlooked space

This is why I always say:
Bigger prints don’t overwhelm a space—tiny prints underwhelm it. Case in point below

The image below has an 11x14 canvas hanging in the same space. (I used to think 11x14 for was big!)

Larger prints work especially well:

Above a couch or bed
In hallways
Over a crib or dresser
On stairway walls
In entryways
In any space where you want a focal point

This is another 30x40 image hanging in the hallway outside my office. (I love it so much!)

Even a 16×24 or 20×30 can be the perfect choice for smaller rooms.

Quick Reference Guide

Best sizes for full-image printing:
4×6, 8×12, 12×18, 16×24, 20×30, 24×36

Print sizes that crop the image:
5×7, 8×10, 11×14, 16×20

For canvases:
Choose sizes with matching ratios or photos with safe space around the edges.

For wall art:
Go bigger than you think—16×24 and 20×30 are beautiful starting points.

For the most accurate results:
Order directly through your gallery.

These wall size comparison guides are designed to help you actually visualize how different print sizes will look in a real space. Seeing the same image displayed at multiple sizes—especially above a standard-sized couch—takes the guesswork out of ordering prints and makes it much easier to choose a size that feels intentional and balanced. Most people are surprised by how small standard prints can feel once they’re on a wall, which is why these guides are such a helpful reminder that going a little bigger often creates a more finished, art-forward look in your home.

Final Thoughts: Your Memories Deserve to Be Seen

Printing your photos is one of the most meaningful ways to honor your story. When you understand aspect ratios, cropping, and print sizing, you can make choices that preserve the artistry and emotion of your images.

Whether you’re ordering through your gallery, designing a wall of family photos, or giving the gift of artwork—you deserve prints that look stunning for decades to come.

And if you ever want help choosing the right sizes or products, I’m always here to guide you.

The Ultimate Guide to Photo Printing Sizes: