When I first stumbled across the idea of “photos in a box,” I thought it looked like so much fun—and I wasn’t wrong! The concept is playful, versatile, and works beautifully for all kinds of portraits. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I designed my box setup for a family photo session.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Box Size
The first step was deciding on the box size. If you’re planning to photograph just one or two people, young kids, or even a pet, you can opt for a smaller box. But since I wanted to fit an entire family, I chose a larger box.
I also considered the practicality of materials. To make the process easier, I wanted to use standard sizes of materials that could be divided efficiently. Most lumberyards offer sheets of wood in 4×8 feet, so I started from there.
Step 2: Building the Box
I divided a 4×8-foot sheet of melamine wood into manageable pieces:
- 2×4 feet for all the sides of the box.
- 4×4 feet for the back to complete the structure.
For the base where the box sits on:
- 2×4 feet for the top and front of the base.
- 2×2 feet for each side of the box.
- 2×4 inches lumber to provide internal support and reinforce the structure.
Using melamine wood saved me the hassle of painting, as it has a clean, smooth finish. These sturdy dimensions created a durable and spacious box, perfect for capturing family portraits.
Step 3: The Creative Twist
Once the box was built, the fun began. I let the family interact and pose in different ways within the box. The result? A dynamic and playful collage that showcases their personalities and brings out lots of smiles.
