I'm no photographer but as a child I spent many hours with my dad
  watching his work come to life in the darkroom. Formal portraits are
  boring so try to use informal candid shots. And think about lighting too
  – early morning and late afternoon is much better than the glare of the
  midday sun or indoor lighting that turns the pupils red.

  Start by sorting through what you have (yes, you know – that overflowing
  pile of shoeboxes in the back closet !). A good photo does not necessarily
  mean that your subject was staring back at you through the camera lens.
  How about the pretty shell your child (or grandchild) found at the beach
  and all you got was a shot of that shell in a tiny palm? Perhaps the image
  of baby's first steps on the wet sand, or your favourite chair and beach
  umbrella after a long hot day would create a lasting memory.

  Black and white photography is a classic and blends well with any décor
  to make a dramatic statement. If you have some favourites in bold living
  colour, they can be scanned and easily changed to B&W in PhotoShop
  – then reprinted.

  Next, choose your frames. Black, white or silver frames work best for B&W
  prints. Wood tones are great for colour prints. Shiny gold tones are definitely
  out and will look dated. Ornate frames will detract from the image itself.
  All of your frames don't have to match exactly, but try to aim for the same
  colour or wood tone within a grouping.

  White or cream matting will help the images stand out.

  When grouping your prints on the wall – think outside the box and try
  something unconventional. Hang 5, 7 or even 9 small prints one above
  the other on a narrow piece of wall between two doorways. Group a
  few prints so close together that the frames are almost touching and
  from a distance it looks like one large photo.

  Group your images by theme – the cottage, winter sports, indoor
  gatherings or vacation destinations.

  Now sit back and enjoy. Old photos are also great conversation
  starters when you have visiting guests.