Graduation Photos

Our daughters are 44, 42 and 39 and their graduation photos are on the music cabinet in our new house. It wouldn't occur to me to take them down. Their more up-t0-date photos with oartners and children are in the kitchen.

I find that many photos of my children taken in the 70s and 80s, even professional ones, have faded very badly. Having them restored professionally is very expensive so do any of you technically minded out there have any suggestions, please?

The giveaway is that the deceased is in excellent focus because they don’t move.
That's interesting Esspee especially from a photographic point of view.

Dds are 41 and 43 and I’ve still got theirs up. And one from son in law’s master’s.

Niece in America recently finished her doctorate - we saw the outdoor ceremony on Zoom ?? but I was bitterly disappointed (?) to see that American doctorate hats are not those floppy velvet ones, like in pics of Henry VII! At grad ceremonies I’ve thought it’d almost be worth doing a PhD to have your picture taken in one of those!

Esspee

Regarding photos of deceased family members, there was a trend in Victorian times of having the family photographed with the deceased post mortem. The deceased would be propped up to look alive. I have no idea how it was accomplished considering rigor mortis sets in but do have a Google of “post mortem photography” to see what I mean.
The giveaway is that the deceased is in excellent focus because they don’t move.

Oh what a sad photo. Their grief is almost palpable.

Esspee that is so interesting, very sad. You could almost feel their pain.

I’ve got a few pictures of the family around and one graduation photo of one daughter because she gave me it. I have a treasured very tatty photo of my great uncle who was an Anzac and died as a very young man in 1916. There was no body and no grave because he was blown to bits, just a memorial in France so I kind of think it is good to have this. I have a few nineteenth century photos of various ancestors,too.

Regarding photos of deceased family members, there was a trend in Victorian times of having the family photographed with the deceased post mortem. The deceased would be propped up to look alive. I have no idea how it was accomplished considering rigor mortis sets in but do have a Google of “post mortem photography” to see what I mean.
The giveaway is that the deceased is in excellent focus because they don’t move.

I have my "rogues gallery" in my bedroom with a mix of photos of DS and family and DD and family - not their graduation ones. I like to see them all when I go to bed and when I get up. Soppy? Yes and why not? I love them all!

My sons’ graduation photos are still up, though not prominent. They’re in their late forties.

I also have photos of my two grandchildren, of my mother aged about 3, and a gorgeous one of my father aged 4 in 1912 - sailor suit, wide-brimmed straw hat and teddy bear! I have formal studio portraits of me aged 3 and my brother aged 5. I have my son’s wedding photo, one of my parents, grandmother, brother and me when I was ten, and one of me aged 12 in a tutu.

I love to have these visible reminders of family history.

Our DS & DDs graduation photos have been relegated to the half landing upstairs. We now have a beautiful painted portrait of our old dog taking pride of place!

Thank you I like a decisive response ??

Thank you all for your wise words - in the drawer they go ?

I never got around to displaying any of my DC’s graduation photos. The oldest graduated in 1997 so I guess it’s a bit late to start now. The youngest only graduated last year so I suppose I could bung her in the loo for a bit.

Regarding the OP, do what makes you happy! If you want to see them, put them up. If you feel it’s time for a change, put them away.

Yes time to put them away.

The biggest grad pic I have is of my first DGD. GS2 managed to look his usual scruffy self even in his graduation gown, but is there on the mantelpiece in a small double frame with DS1 in uniform the day of his passing out parade in the police. Several GC still to come. No wedding photos as DS1 is divorced and DS2 and partner have never married.

I know someone who did that with photos of the deceased. Her daughter calls it "the dead zone".

Re the deceased family members, it would be nice to create a collage of them including deceased, where the pictures are separate. That would include them all but as separate photos. I would like that.

Gosh I didn't know I was meant to display them I just put them in a drawer!

My son used to present me with huge photos, including his graduation photo. Having a small house,I have not put many of them up, and specifically not his graduation photo.
It is up to you, teachkate. It sounds as though you would be glad of an excuse not to display them any more. I am sure nobody would mind.

If you love them keep them on display teachkate it depends on if they bring you joy or not. I do so agree with Franbern and Chestnut the idea of adding a deceased person to a photograph is totally abhorrent to me. By all means keep pictures of loved ones who are no longer with us but please please do not add them to other photographs of say Grandchildren who never met them. Horrible!

Franbern Some years back, some kindly meant gentleman offered to photoshop him into a family photo taken a few years after his death - do not think he really understood my total horror at this.
I agree! I would never in a million years want a deceased person added to a photograph. It has been happening for quite some time. I have seen a family photo from 1911 with a young woman added. It looked fake of course, but someone must have wanted it done.

When I moved I took down and put away the Graduation photos of my kids. Eight in total (as Ihad for two of them both their Bachelors and Master pictures).
Have not put these back up in my flat, all packed away carefully. However, I do many family photos as part of my decorations.
I particularly love one photo of my six children from back in 1978, and that is displayed on top of bookcase along with a photo of the six of them at one of their weddings in 1999.. Unfortunately, by the time of the wedding photo of the next one, there were just five of them, so those two pictures are very precious.
I have lots of photo of that six child who died when he was 25 years of age. (19 years ago). He is always with me to look at.

Some years back, some kindly meant gentleman offered to photoshop him into a family photo taken a few years after his death - do not think he really understood my total horror at this.

I do have about four painting (all done by my Dad many years ago), but most of the pcitrues I have on display are of my children and, of course, some of my g.children.

As you’re re-doing your house, you could put the photos in a drawer and if no-one comments on them not being on show, then it should be fine.
If someone mentions, you could always say, you haven’t got round to putting them out yet.
I doubt any of your adult children will even notice.

Well, they might be miffed if I did that!