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Portraits and keepsakes
Studio oval frames, yearbook pages, instant prints and silver portraits: four looks for pictures of people, from the days when having your photo taken was an occasion.
Showing a sample photo.
Your photo
Your photo is processed on this device and is never uploaded.
Ready-made looks
Pick a theme, then a look. Every frame from every theme is also in the Frame list above, grouped by theme.
Pictures of people, in four moods
A portrait is the kind of photograph people keep longest, so this category collects looks that treat a face with some ceremony. The studio oval and the silver portrait are formal and quiet. The instant print and the yearbook page are warm and a little playful.
Where a look comes from one part of the world, the description says so. The studio oval, for example, is inspired by neighbourhood photographers in India, and the yearbook page by American school days. Nothing is copied from a real studio, school or publication.
Getting a good portrait result
Face the light, keep the head and shoulders near the middle and leave a little space above the head, because the oval and the yearbook frames trim the corners. Try one person first, then a pair. Group photos work best in the instant print.
What each look does
Neighbourhood studio. A black and white portrait in an oval gilded frame with flowers. Inspired by neighbourhood studios in India. It starts at 1965, and you can drag the slider or change the year to move it earlier or later.
Instant print. A faded print with a white border and a handwritten caption underneath. Inspired by American instant film. It starts at 1975, and you can drag the slider or change the year to move it earlier or later.
Yearbook day. A laser-light backdrop, your name and a quote about what you were most likely to do. Inspired by American school yearbooks. It starts at 1996, and you can drag the slider or change the year to move it earlier or later.
Silver portrait. A cool, mirror-like silver tone with tarnished edges, like the earliest portraits. It starts at 1905, and you can drag the slider or change the year to move it earlier or later.
Tips for this theme
- Pose for the ovalSit or stand centred with a little room above your head. The oval frame trims the corners.
- Write your quoteThe yearbook page has a name and a quote box. Short and funny beats long and serious.
- Add a captionOn the instant print, a date or a nickname gives it the handwritten feel.
- Try the silver lookIt suits calm expressions and soft window light. Very busy backgrounds lose their meaning without colour.
How to turn a portrait into a vintage photo
Add a sharp portrait, choose Neighbourhood studio for an oval frame or Silver portrait for a very old look, and edit the plate text. Slide the time line to try earlier or later years, then download the JPG.
Questions
Where can I find vintage photo frames online?
Choose a look on this page: the studio oval, the instant print and the yearbook page are all vintage photo frames drawn in your browser, and the Frame list has more. Edit the text on the frame and download the JPG.
How do I make a retro portrait?
Add a portrait with a clear face and some space above the head, pick the studio oval or the silver portrait, and slide to an older year. The vintage photo effect changes colour, grain and contrast to match the era.
Can I make a yearbook photo from my picture?
Yes. The Yearbook day look gives you a 90s yearbook page with a laser-light backdrop, your name and a quote you can edit.
Are these real archive photographs?
No. Every frame is drawn by your browser and every colour effect is a filter. Nothing is copied from an archive, a studio or a brand.
Which look is best for a family photo?
The neighbourhood studio oval suits one or two people facing the camera. The instant print handles a small group.
Can I change the name and quote on the yearbook page?
Yes. Edit the text boxes under Frame and the page updates as you type. The year follows the year you chose on the slider.
Why is the studio look black and white?
Studio portraits of that time were usually black and white or hand-tinted, so the look uses a silent-film grade with a gilded frame.
Can I use another language in the text boxes?
Yes, type whatever your device can show. Lettering is drawn with fonts already on your device, so the style differs between phones and computers.
Will a portrait of me look historically accurate?
No. It is a stylised look, not a re-creation. It does not change your clothes, hair or background.
Does my photo leave my device?
No. Everything on this page runs in your browser, and your photo is never uploaded.
Can I change the year printed on the frame?
Yes. Use the Year you were born box, or drag the slider. Dates and captions follow the year you choose, unless you have typed your own text.
Which file formats can I use?
JPG, PNG and WebP work everywhere. HEIC opens in browsers that support it, such as Safari.
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