How to Save Fragile & Oversized Kids Art with Artkive Photo Uploads
- Sep 18, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: May 26
Your Artkive Box just landed on the doorstep, and you're ready to tackle that collection of kids' artwork once and for all. Scribble drawings from kindergarten, finger paintings from summer camp, handmade cards from every holiday. It's finally time to turn all of it into a memory book your family will flip through for years.
But then you spot the pieces that clearly won't fit: a three-foot poster from the science fair, a clay sculpture your daughter made in second grade, a drawing still sitting in a glass frame on the mantle. Those creations matter just as much, even if they can't travel safely in a box.
The good news? You can still include every one of them in your Artkive book. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to photograph oversized or delicate kids art at home and upload the images to your Artkive account, so nothing gets left out.
Which Artwork Should Stay Home?
Before you start packing the box, pull aside anything that's better kept at home and capture it with a photo. Common examples include:
Oversized or bulky creations: Anything too large or heavy to fit in the Artkive Box. Giant posters that can't be rolled, hefty 3D arts and crafts, oversized canvas paintings. Instead of trying to squeeze them in, set these aside for photo upload.
Fragile pieces: Artwork made of glass, drawings framed in glass, delicate clay or ceramic figures, and items that contain liquids. These are breakable materials that could crack during shipping. For everyone's safety, Artkive specifically asks that you don't send glass or breakable items.
Precious originals: If an item is especially sentimental or valuable, don't ship it. Snap it! By taking a photo, you can feature that piece in the book while keeping the original safe at home.
Setting these special items aside now lets you plan to photograph them. Your child's full collection of kids' drawings, sculptures, and crafts can all be part of the Artkive project without risk.
Tips for Photographing Kids Art Like a Pro!
You don't need professional photography gear to get great photos of your kids' artwork. A smartphone and a little preparation go a long way. Use these tips to capture clear images that will look sharp in your memory book:
Find your light. Good lighting makes all the difference. Set up in a bright, evenly lit spot where natural daylight does the heavy lifting. A space near a window works well, but avoid harsh direct sun that casts dark shadows. Turn off your camera flash to prevent glare.
Use a neutral background. Place the artwork against a clean, solid surface so the focus stays on the art. A white wall or a large piece of poster board works great to eliminate distractions behind the piece.
Shoot straight and steady. Hold your camera so you're aiming directly at the artwork. For flat pieces, shoot from directly above or head-on if you can place it flush against a wall. This prevents distortion. For 3D items (like clay sculptures or mosaic pieces), step back and shoot at a slight angle to show depth. Keep the camera steady to avoid blur. Pro tip: If you're shooting on a smartphone, tap the artwork on the screen to focus before you snap the picture.
Avoid reflections. If the art is under glass or glossy plastic, remove it from the frame or sleeve before photographing. Capture the entire piece in the photo (nothing cut off at the edges). Watch out for your own shadow falling on the art. Take a couple of shots and choose the best one.
After snapping your photos, review them on a larger screen if you can. Check that each image looks sharp, bright, and true to the artwork's colors. If anything comes out dark or blurry, adjust your lighting or position and try again. Your at-home photos might not match studio quality, so good lighting and focus are extra important.
Here are some additional lighting examples to guide your setup:
Uploading Photos to Your Artkive Account
Now that you have the photos, it's time to send them to Artkive digitally. When you ordered your box, Artkive automatically set up an account using the same email address. You can upload photos before or during the book proofing stage. Here's how:
Log in to your Artkive account. Visit the Artkive website or open the Artkive app. Log in with the email you used for your order. If it's your first time, set up your password through the welcome email.
Upload the artwork photos. In your account, find the option to add or upload photos. Select the image files of your kids art and upload them. You can add titles or notes to each photo if you'd like (for example, "Science Fair poster, 5th grade" or "Clay penguin, winter 2024").
Add them to your book project. Whether you upload photos before or after receiving your book proof, those images will be included in your book. If you upload before we design the book, our team will incorporate the images into the layout. If you wait until you're reviewing the digital proof, you can use Artkive's editor to place the new images exactly where you want them. Either way, your uploaded pictures will appear in the final memory book.
Need a visual walkthrough?
Watch these guided tutorials to see how to add your at-home photos:
No Art Left Behind: A Complete Memory Book of Your Child's Creations
By photographing and uploading those tricky pieces, you'll end up with a truly complete collection of your children's artwork in one place. The finished memory book will showcase every creation that matters, including the oversized kids art and fragile pieces that couldn't make the journey in the box.
When you receive your digital book proof from Artkive, double-check that all your uploaded images are there and looking their best. You can make minor adjustments in the editor, like cropping or brightness. If you need help with anything, reach out to our team. We want your child's memory book to be a complete celebration of their creativity.
You don't have to leave out a single treasured piece. Keep the precious originals safely at home, and still celebrate them in the printed book. In the end, you'll have one of the most meaningful keepsake books imaginable, filled with your child's one-of-a-kind art.
Ready to get started? Order your Artkive Box and start preserving your kids' art today.
