Photo Tips and Upload Guide


Every Homegrown Heirloom magnet starts with the image you share with us. Whether it's your child's latest masterpiece or a treasured family photo, a clear image helps us create the most beautiful 2×2 keepsake possible. We manually crop and prepare every image before printing — but starting with a great photo makes all the difference.

📸 Photographing Children's Artwork

Place the artwork on a flat surface near a window or in a bright room, then follow these tips:

  • Use natural light. It keeps colors true and clear — no flash needed.
  • Lay the artwork completely flat. No bending, curling, or wrinkles.
  • Shoot straight from above. Hold your phone directly over the artwork to avoid distortion.
  • Avoid shadows. Make sure your hands or phone aren't casting shade over the image.
  • Capture the full piece. Include the entire drawing or painting — we'll handle the cropping.
  • Upload the original photo. Skip screenshots when possible; originals print with much better quality.

🖼️ Choosing a Great Family or Personal Photo

Family portraits, baby milestones, pet moments, and holiday memories all make wonderful magnets. Here's how to pick the best one:

  • Choose a clear, well-lit photo. Bright and sharp prints beautifully.
  • Avoid blurry images. If it looks blurry on your phone, it will look blurry on the magnet.
  • Keep important faces near the center. Some cropping occurs to fit the 2×2 format — centered subjects are safest.
  • Avoid details near the edges. Faces or key elements close to the edge may be cropped.
  • Use original images when possible. Screenshots, social media downloads, or heavily filtered photos may reduce print quality.

✅ Images That Work Best

  • Children's drawings, paintings, and handprints
  • School artwork and creative projects
  • Family, baby, and pet photos
  • Holiday and milestone photos
  • Grandparent gift photos
  • Special handwritten notes
  • Meaningful little memories

⚠️ Images to Avoid

  • Very blurry or very dark photos
  • Photos with heavy shadows or flash glare
  • Screenshots or social media downloads
  • Artwork photographed at a steep angle
  • Wrinkled artwork that's hard to see clearly
  • Images with important details near the edges

If we notice a significant issue with your image before production, we'll reach out to you.

✂️ Will My Image Be Cropped?

Yes, slight cropping may occur. Each magnet is a 2×2 square, so we manually crop and center your image to fit. For best results, keep the most important part of your photo or artwork near the center.

🎨 Do You Edit the Image?

We lightly prepare each image for the 2×2 format — this may include cropping, centering, and minor adjustments. We don't offer full photo restoration, background removal, or custom design work at this time.

📁 Accepted File Types

  • JPG / JPEG
  • PNG
  • HEIC (if supported by the upload form)

If your iPhone photo won't upload, try saving or sending it as a JPG or PNG first.

🔒 Image Upload Consent

By uploading an image, you understand that Homegrown Heirloom will use your artwork or photo to create your custom product. You may also choose whether we can share your finished magnet in our marketing. We will never share children's names, faces, or identifying details without your explicit permission.

Quick Checklist Before You Upload

  • ✔ The image is clear and in focus
  • ✔ The image is bright enough
  • ✔ The full artwork or subject is visible
  • ✔ Faces or important details are near the center
  • ✔ No strong shadows or glare
  • ✔ You're uploading the original photo when possible

💛 Our Promise

Your memories matter to us. These little drawings, photos, and moments are meaningful — and we treat every order with the care it deserves. From fridge art to forever keepsakes, we're honored to help you preserve the little memories you never want to forget.