Polaroid Picture Ideas: 14 Creative Photography Ideas

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It used to be that snapping a photo with a Polaroid instant camera, shaking it out and waiting for the image to develop was commonplace.

As 35mm film type and then digital cameras became more affordable, people traded in the Polaroid picture instant cameras for the new photography medium.

While many of us shutterbugs have always loved the nostalgia and certain je ne sais quoi about instant photography, it seems they have recently come back into popularity with the rest of the world as well.

Users love the instant gratification of having their photo in hand and while a few brands have started offering instant print cameras, no one does it quite like the pioneers, Polaroid.

Cute Polaroid pictures and Polaroid picture ideas
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The new Polaroid Snap Touch instant cameras offers users the best of both worlds. It allows you to snap, print, and share all of your favorite photos instantly right from the camera.

With a 3.5inch LCD Touchscreen and 1080p full HD video recording capability, images and video are stored on a micro SD card and you have the ability to print photos instantly thanks to ZINK® Zero Ink technology.

You even have the option to print them with the classic white Polaroid Photo border (amongst some snazzy new designs) as well as other edits like adding filters, stickers or adjust the crop.

The 13mp camera has a few unexpected perks like a self timer, selfie mirror, swipe gestures and bluetooth capability. 

polaroid picture ideas

Between its digital capabilities and vintage Polaroid printing options, it looks like creative uses abound from everyday users and photographers alike.

I’m still finding new ways to be creative with my Polaroid Snap Touch and Polaroid Instax Mini, like this one I took during our last tattoo session in New York.

Cute Ways to Take Polaroid Pictures

For some creative photography inspiration on how to take and use your Polaroid photos, check out these awesome Polaroid pics I’ve found below.

You might also want to check out our 8 tips and tricks from a pro on how to improve your iPhone photography or 5 Photography Tips for Using a Tripod.

polaroid picture ideas - composition photos
Remo Camerota’s new “Polaroid Portraits” Project

Make a composite portrait using varying zoom distance

In each Polaroid photo it’s apparent the photographer gets further away, to fit more of the subject in the frame.

It creates an interesting composition of the subject at makes you think about the way we perceive scale in a photo. 

polaroid pictures idea - story with captions
credit: Jen Gotch

Write overlay captions on your pictures to tell a story

I love the captions on these polaroids. Most people only write along the bottom but it adds an interesting element to caption on the photos themselves. 

I think this method would also make an awesome Polaroid travel journal or scrapbook.

polaroid picture ideas travel
By Jordan J Lee

Take a picture of a picture

Using Polaroids to document one part of your travel, and then using those photos as a frame in another photograph is genius.

We love the story this tells with the bridge in the Polaroids and then another view of the water in the larger photo. 

polaroid picture ideas  panorama
Firenze and the snow by Giorgio Verdiani

Make your own Triptych Gallery with a Polaroid split frame panorama

What an awesome way to capture a panorama view. 

This is a popular way to display photos in frames on a wall and it works well with Polaroid photos because of the built-in white frames.

polaroid picture ideas selfie
“Self Portrait” by Gene Pease

Unique selfie idea

We bet you have never taken a selfie quite like this one! 

A variation of the take a picture of a picture concept, you could have a lot of fun inventing creative ways to take a selfie.

polaroid picture ideas couple holding hands
“Together” by Alyson

Split screen couples portrait

This is a fun take on a couples portrait. It reminds me of the wedding preparation photos of the bride and groom separated by a wall or door.

cute polaroid couple picture idea

Use Polaroid photos to tell a story

How adorable is this strip of photos taken by a couple (Oh So Beautiful Paper)? It makes you wonder about all the unique snapshots you could get: balloons floating away, a bird passing by.

polaroid picture ideas composition
Unique Portrait Compositions

Creative portrait compositions

Recently, 62 lots of Polaroids were displayed and sold in Christie’s Warhol photography auction.

Some of them used sets of Polaroid photos to create unique portrait compositions. Others featured single, close up portraits of celebrities.

Cute Polaroid pictures and Polaroid picture ideas - project 365
Project 365 by Mental Floss

Project 365

Did you hear about the man who took a photo every day for years before he passed away?

It’s incredible, he had thousands of Polaroid pictures. Store them in an album as a beautiful way to document your years.

Most people use an app and do a 365 Project digitally, but having a physical album to flip through makes this a really awesome keepsake and coffee table centerpiece.

Polaroid Picture Idea: Wedding Guest Book
Polaroid Guest Book by Wedding Fanatic

Polaroid wedding guest book

Instead of simply signing a book, have the guests take a Polaroid Selfie (or designate someone to take their photo).

You could even make this an even more treasured wedding keepsake by asking them to place their Polaroid on a specific page and add a line or two of marriage advice.

I also love the idea of making a wedding memory box from these.

polaroid headboard string lights

Make a DIY LED string light headboard with photos

We love this idea of creating an awesome wall decor display piece above your bed with all of your favorite Polaroid photographs by Twinkling Photo Display by Brit Co.

TIP: Use mini craft clothespins to attach your Polaroid pics to the mini LED string lights instead of tape. Change them out as often as you like!

Make a Polaroid travel journal

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, why not include photos in your travel journal?

To make this project easier for you, be sure to take note of city name and/or longitude and latitude coordinates of where each photo was taken in your travel journal.

A photo may be worth a thousand words, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Use the journal to record the moments the photos didn’t capture.

cute polaroid picture idea travel memory map
By highways and byways by LivinglySSJewelry

Add photos to your travel itinerary map

Use polaroids and an atlas map to document memories made on your travels. Frame your travel map and then create a collection to display on your walls.

cute polaroid picture idea  scene composition
Winter Tree by Petr Klabal

Make a multiple split frame landscape photo

We love the use of multiple polaroid photos to capture the scene. 

Take your creative photo ideas past the typical Triptych collage and go with 6 or even 9 photos to capture a single subject.

What are some creative ways you have used Polaroid pictures in your photography or art projects?

polaroid picture ideas custom pin
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I received a Polaroid Snap Touch to review. This post contains affiliate links. When you click on a link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission for the sale. Thank you for letting me share some of my favorite products and finds with you – I appreciate your support by shopping through these links!

11 thoughts on “Polaroid Picture Ideas: 14 Creative Photography Ideas”

  1. When I bought my instant camera first time I didn’t know how to use it. But a few months later I began to take stunning pictures and all thanks to such articles as this. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. My son and his girl have a polaroid display in their house up. It’s cute. I like getting an instant picture too. It took me awhile to like the smaller size, but I like them now.

    Reply
  3. I didn’t even know that they still made Polaroids to be honest. In a world where everything is faster, this makes perfect sense, though. Who wants to wait for their pictures?

    Reply
  4. What an awesome way to play with polaroid photos! It really amazes me to see the creativity of the people who conceptualized this. Beautiful pieces of art! Maybe I should try my hand at this too!

    Reply

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