Walk through any home décor store and you’ll find walls covered with printed canvases of mountains, flowers, abstract brush strokes, and inspiring quotes. They’re often beautiful, sure—but also impersonal and expensive. A single 24″x36″ retail canvas can easily run you $250 or more. And while that scene of a foggy forest or a stack of pastel rocks may be trendy, does it really mean anything to you?
Now imagine walking past that same-sized canvas—but it’s a shot you took yourself. A photo from your hike through Banff. Or a close-up of the birch tree bark from your backyard. Or an abstract swirl of rust on a railway car, turned into a textured masterpiece. You didn’t just buy art—you made it.
Here’s the exciting news: You don’t need to be a professional photographer or have expensive gear to start filling your home with meaningful, magazine-worthy images. All you need is a camera (even your phone can be a starting point), a bit of creative direction, and the willingness to look at your space—and the world around you—with an artistic eye.
Why Make Your Own Art?
There are three standout reasons to consider photographing your own art for your home:
1. Cost-Effective Elegance
High-quality printing has become remarkably accessible. You can order a stretched canvas print online or through local print shops for as little as $50 for a 24″x36″ piece—sometimes even less when promotions are running. That’s a fraction of the price you’d pay for a generic store-bought canvas.
2. Deeply Personal
There’s a big difference between having a photograph of a mountain taken by a stranger and having one you climbed, captured in perfect golden-hour light. Your photo becomes a conversation piece, a memory, and a unique element of your décor all in one.
3. Creative Freedom
You’re not limited by a store’s inventory. Want something minimalist with cool tones for your hallway? Or a dramatic macro of flower petals for your bedroom? You call the shots—literally.
Tips for Shooting Photos That Make Great Home Art
Before you run out and start snapping, here are some thoughtful tips to make sure the images you take will work as wall art in your home—not just pretty pictures on your hard drive.
1. Consider Your Room’s Color Palette
Take a moment to look around the room where you plan to hang your art. What’s the dominant color scheme? Earthy browns? Crisp whites and grays? Pops of teal or mustard yellow?
Use those colors as your inspiration. Look for photo opportunities where those tones naturally appear: a weathered fence, a field of wildflowers, moody skies, rich shadows on a coffee cup, or a perfectly toned landscape. Even abstract close-ups of fabrics or painted surfaces can echo the hues in your room and tie everything together beautifully.
2. Think About Texture
Photographs that feature rich textures—woodgrain, peeling paint, concrete, feathers, leaves, fur—can add incredible depth and tactile interest to a space. Consider filling your frame with texture. Get close. Use a shallow depth of field to soften backgrounds and let the texture sing.
These kinds of images work especially well in modern spaces that have minimal color but crave a bit of visual warmth and character.
3. Match Mood to Room Purpose
Every room has a vibe, and your art should support it. For example:
- Bedroom: Calm and relaxing? Think soft focus, pastels, flowing forms.
- Living Room: Energizing and social? Look for dynamic lines, contrast, or a splash of color.
- Office or Creative Space: Motivating? Consider abstract patterns, bold composition, or inspiring landscapes.
Use your camera to capture emotion, not just subject matter.
4. Compose for the Canvas
When shooting for large prints, especially a 24″x36″ canvas, keep these technical and compositional points in mind:
- Shoot High Resolution: If you’re using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, shoot in RAW and at the highest resolution. If using a phone, use the rear camera in its maximum quality setting.
- Leave Breathing Room: Avoid crowding the edges of your photo. You’ll likely lose a bit around the edges when the canvas is stretched, so compose accordingly.
- Consider Orientation: Decide if your image will be vertical (portrait) or horizontal (landscape) based on where you plan to hang it. Or even square for symmetry.
5. Tell Your Story
Imagine a wall with three side-by-side canvas prints: one of a mossy trail, one of your child’s muddy boots, and one of the forest canopy above. Together, they form a narrative. Whether it’s a trip, a season, or a slice of your life—photography can tell a story in a way that store-bought art never will.
Think in terms of series or collections. You may find one photo doesn’t say everything, but together with others, it sings.
From Capture to Canvas
Once you’ve taken your image(s), here’s a quick rundown of the next steps:
- Edit Lightly: You don’t need to be a Photoshop wizard. Tools like Adobe Lightroom or even your phone’s native photo editor can help you fine-tune brightness, contrast, sharpness, and color tone. Keep it clean and timeless.
- Export for Print: Export your final image at 300 dpi resolution and at the intended print size (or larger).
- Order from a Trusted Printer: Look for canvas printers with good reviews—many offer proof previews, frame/wrap options, and satisfaction guarantees.
Some Canadian favorites include: CanvasChamp, PosterJack, Pikto, and local photo labs.
Learn How to Create Your Own Art at Learn Photography Canada
If this idea excites you but you’re thinking, “I don’t know where to start”—we’ve got you covered.
At Learn Photography Canada, our workshops are designed to help everyday people like you take extraordinary photos. From learning how to compose beautiful shots, to mastering camera settings and lighting, to editing your images just right—we’ll walk with you every step of the way.
Our small group or private, hands-on sessions take place across Canada. You won’t be sitting in a classroom—you’ll be out in the field, guided by a caring coach who will help you build your skills and your confidence. And before you know it, you’ll be printing your own wall-worthy images your guests will marvel at.
Ready to stop buying someone else’s art—and start creating your own?
Join us at an upcoming Learn Photography Canada workshop and let’s turn your camera into a canvas.