20+ Ways to Use or Display Instax and Polaroid Photos
What can you do with Instax prints or Polaroids? I made a list of 20+ creative DIY ideas for how to use and repurpose instant photos and how to display your Instax photos or Polaroids.
The revival of film cameras in recent decades, specifically that magic of instant film, has made all devotees to vintage and analog treasures jump for joy (including myself). There’s Fujifilm Instax cameras and Impossible Project turned Polaroid Originals now again Polaroid’s line of instant film cameras, plus the various instant photo printers (like the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link or the Polaroid Lab). Now Instant film is much more abundant and accessible like decades past.
During your endeavors in instant film photography, you might find yourself with a bunch of instant photos and a loss at what to do with them. Sometimes you take bad photos or make mistakes that don’t yield the photo you intended and it’s pretty hard to just immediately throw that photo (and $1-3 dollars) directly into the trash, with the slight guilt of wasting that iconic photo frame. All your Polaroids, Instax photos, and photo prints you’ve collected through the years get put away, and then you slowly forget about them as they sit in storage. Instant film photos and your photography work deserve better.
This is why I’ve compiled a list of multiple ways to showcase your instant photos and how to use them, so people can actually see and enjoy them – you included! This idea list could also potentially inspire you to put to good use an instant film pack that’s been lying around. You’ll end up with a new cool creative project to keep or gift.
My list below has over 20 (24 to be exact) creative ways you can use your instant film photos, whether it’s Instax or Polaroid. You can even use these ideas for standard developed film or photo prints (if you don’t mind cutting them down to the size of the project). All of these ideas require inexpensive materials. Many have minimal extra materials to purchase because most of the necessary craft supplies are ones you’ll likely already have (for example: cardboard or paper, tape, hot glue). So, let’s get DIY -ing! Also remember, these are suggestions of ways to tackle these projects and ideas, please be aware and DIY and create at your own risk. Also, you’re welcome to modify them to work best for you.
Here are 24 DIY Creative Ideas to Use, Repurpose, or Display Instant Photos:
01. brooch / pin
Craft a new addition to a jacket or tote bag! Safety pins work well for this, or you can buy a set of pin backs to use. Adhere the photo to a piece of cardboard that’s been cut to match the size of the photo. Then adhere the pin or pins to the back of the cardboard in order to ensure the photo will lay flat against the object you will be pinning it to.
02. business cards
Use your artistic work as a memorable way to stand out during networking events and new introductions. The Instax photo format size almost exactly matches standard business card dimensions. So Instax prints are my preferred choice for this idea, but if you wanna use larger photos or cut them down to size, go for it. On the back of your Instax film photos, glue blank paper that’s been cut to fit the size of the photo. Let the paper dry and write down the info you want on the business card. You can also type it up, print out your information and contact details and then attach it to the photo’s back. Remember to not use too much glue, spread it evenly onto the paper, and smooth it out as it adheres to the photo to avoid bubbles. You also use sticker paper or adhesive dots to attach the paper, if you’re not a big fan of glue.
03. holiday ornaments
Cut a piece string or thread and make a loop, tape the loop to the top area on the back of the photo. If you’d like, write a message or the year on the front, in the photo’s border with a permanent marker.
04. magnets
Show off your photography work on your fridge, magnetic notes board, or locker. Similar to the pin idea, simply attach your photo to a sturdy piece of cardboard that’s been cut to fit the photo, then glue / hot glue a magnet onto the back. There’s also magnets that you can buy that have adhesive tape already attached to them.
05. bookmark
Brighten up the spot where you last off reading. You can use the photo itself or glue them to a bookmark size piece of paper of your choosing. The thinner rectangle shape of Instax film prints might fit better for this project. Also, I’d recommend a sturdier paper for this, like thicker scrapbook paper or poster board.
06. cellphone case
This idea does require a translucent clear phone case. Pick one of your instant photos and put it on the back of your case. (I think Fujifilm Instax photos again would be a better fit for this project.)
07. room design / collage wall
This idea is great if you have a large quantity of photos, but it can be sized down too. Decide an arrangement or pattern, by laying your photos out on a flat surface. You can use painter’s tape to mark the area on the wall and to aid with the alignment of the photos. Then hang those photos up and marvel at your own unique gallery wall!
08. framed wall art
Cut a blank piece of paper to fit the frame’s dimensions and then adhere your selected photo or photos to the paper.
09. art journaling
Use instant film photos in your journal entries as either a focal point of a new piece, or to supplement your other artistic pursuits. You can also use them to archive or document moments in your written journal entries too.
10. mixed media artwork
11. mini canvas
12. mini embroidery
Making mini collages with scrap paper or using painting, embroidery,or sewing techniques on the photo’s surface, are all mixed media elements that can elevate your image into something beyond a simple photo. These are all great ways to repurpose and give new creative life to photos you don’t like or were the film mistakes that may have happened during the course of a photo shoot. Instead of throwing out the photo, give it a new life with your imagination and some paint, permanent markers, or thread!
13. organization / labels
Do you have a storage bin or random box that you find in your house and then you can’t remember what you decided to put inside of it? Try using your instant film photos as labels to organize your items. You can take photos of the specific contents or type of items in the box. Then attach the photo to the face of the storage box where you’ll see it. No guessing next time you go through storage, and it's a quick way to identify items.
14. flashcards
Taking photos of specific items and labeling them on the back, can be a great way to teach the names of different things to young kids, or to even practice learning some words in another language on your own.
15. scavenger hunt
Be an explorer and documentarian of your daily life, it could offer a new point of view! With a pack or instant film, an afternoon, and an open heart to adventure you can explore new or familiar places and capture some art and perspectives along the way. Make a checklist of ideas, things, or scenes you’d want to look out for. Maybe it’s things you think would or wouldn’t be easy to find. Maybe it’s things you’ve never photographed before or want to photograph in a different way. Number the checklist with the number of photos you have to use. (As a reminder, Instax film packs hold 10 photos, new Polaroid film packs hold 8 photos). Have fun and see what turns up.
16. vision board
It’s common to include an object or something you’ve already achieved on your vision board to remind you are capable of achieving your goals. Add instant photos to your physical collage. If it’s something that brings you joy or the photo reminds you of something positive, add it.
17. gift tags
Try putting some of your Instax photos or Polaroid photos on your gift or gift bag as a cooler and might I say, fancier, option than the standard handwritten to / from card. It can even become a holiday game where you have to identify what person the gift is for based on the instant photo that’s attached to the gift. Or, you can still write their name and to / from on the photo border too.
18. snail mail / care packages
Sending a thank you, note, or parcel with an instant photo for the recipient becomes even more personal and unique. Get creative in the story you want to show. Whether it’s you wrapping gifts behind the scenes, a favorite thing that reminded you of them, or just a little updated photo of what you’ve been up to. A photo makes your writing or thought even more tangible.
19. momentos
Pretty self explanatory, instant photos like Polaroids are iconic. The ingenuity of taking a photo and immediately being able to give someone that captured memory for them to keep is its own kind of magic. A magic that’s stood the test of time. So, go ahead and make some magic of your own. I’m sure someone won’t forget the gesture, and they’ll have a photo of the occasion to remember too!
20. place settings
Place an instant photo at each place setting for guests at your next party. It can be a photo you have taken of them for a different way to make seating arrangements, instead of name cards. Or it can be a photo of anything else that relates to them. Think of it as an artistic small parting gift. Try giving each guest a photo of something that’s special to them or that they enjoy as a simple sweet gesture and memento of the event.
21. photo album
Perfect for collecting moments where you took a lot of photos. Also, it’s a fantastic organized way to keep a book of your work to show others (like potential clients), or for you to flip through whenever you’d like to offer yourself some inspiration and reflection on your work. You can DIY your own photo album book instead of buying one, all you need is a 3 ring binder, hole punch, paper and tape.
22. hanging photo mobile
A few thin wood dowels, chopsticks, or even (out in nature) sticks can work for this project. Attach thread or string to your arrangement of items that are horizontal bars for the mobile. Use an additional string to attach the bar piece to your photo, the string can be held with tape on the back of the photo. Also, you could use mini clothespins or alligator clips. Then attach your Polaroids or Instax photos. Then find a place to hang up your kinetic piece of art.
23. photo garland
Take some string and hang it onto the wall. You can use mini clothespins to attach the photos, or a small piece of tape to hook around the string. I’d recommend washi tape as it’s easier to remove than standard tape, and also adds a little color and personality to the garland. If you happen to have or like the style of mini string lights you could use a strand of those lights and attach the photos to it.
24. photo bouquet
Wooden skewers, chopsticks, even Popsicle sticks could work for this project. Decorate the stick piece however you'd like, you can paint them, color them, wrap them in paper, or leave them natural, up to you. Attach the stick to the back of your photo with tape. Make as many photo flowers as you’d like, then place them all into a vase or glass. Enjoy your forever bouquet of memories captured on instant film!
I hope in this list of 24 ways to use and display your Instax or Polaroid photos you’ve found something new to try. Some creative ideas to repurpose your photos. Something that can offer some more joy, originality, or magic into your life. You’re welcome to let me know the results of your project in a message, or share your DIY photos with me, on Instagram or Pinterest. I’d love to see what you make or thought up from this list! Keep creating.