Family Tree Poster

Create a Four-generation Family Tree Poster in Photoshop

NOTE: This class belongs to my Family History series, register for all three at a discount!

Write your history on your walls

There is power in knowing your people - in discovering the names and faces of those who you belong to, who've gone before and paved your way. The author Alex Haley said,

“In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage- to know who we are and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness. ”


Our Goal: Display Your Family History in a Beautiful Wall Art Poster

In this self-paced, project-based class, you'll use Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements) to share your family tree with pride! Studies have shown that children who grow up in homes with family photos (and photos of them) on the walls are happier and more secure as adults. What better way to show your loved ones exactly where (or is that who?) they came from, than in this gorgeous family tree poster? Easy enough to complete in an evening (minus the stories you'll need to stop and tell about each photo), this poster can help you jump-start your own family history journey, or help you spark interest for a special recipient. Want an incredible, meaningful gift? Imagine your poster gracing the walls of your loved one's new home, or the mantelpiece of your parent, or your children or grandchildren.

You can choose to start your tree with yourself at the bottom, which then would chart your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Alternatively, you can start the tree with your child at the bottom and yourself as one of the parents, to be able to capture both sides of your child's family. I'll show you how to complete the poster either way!

What To Expect from Class

All of the classes here at JessicaSprague come with gorgeous video instruction, broken down into project-based lessons and individual tasks within each lesson. This bite-sized approach to Photoshop makes it easy to understand, and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish in just 30 minutes at a time!

You'll receive:

Two step-by-step video lessons to walk you through creating the poster from start to finish, recorded in BOTH Photoshop CC and Photoshop Elements.

One poster template in .psd format, ready to add your own photos, graphics, and family name

Placeholder graphics, in case you can't find one of your ancestors' photographs

A downloadable PDF step sheet, so you can follow along with the video

My love & friendship (oh, and as always, the ability to contact me with any questions you have, or even request a mentor for in-depth guidance)

This class is powered by a premade .psd template to begin our project, and is accompanied by an in-depth video lesson, where I'll show you how to:

Add photos to your poster

Change the photos to black and white, and add contrast using the included adjustment layers

Change the text labels

Draw a lined bracket to set off your own photo and your last name

Save the poster in printable format


How To Prepare for Class

In this particular project, it will pay to get ready early. Here's what you'll want to begin gathering. I'll provide you with guidance on finding vital information as well as (possibly!) photos or news articles as part of class:

  • One Formal Photo for each set of ancestors - preferably wedding photos of your parents, your grandparents, and your great-grandparents. These will be the section headers, and this will be the main photo in that page.

I'll Be Right There With You

By the end of class, you will have learned new Photoshop techniques, while creating a gorgeous four-generation Family Tree poster! How awesome is that? We love to see your photos and cherished albums, and with every JessicaSprague.com course, there are many different ways to get in touch to show off your art, or ask a question! Register now, and I'll see you in class!


Your Instructor


Jessica Sprague
Jessica Sprague

Hi there! I'm Jessica Sprague, owner and instructor here at JessicaSprague.com. I founded JessicaSprague.com in 2007 to share the creative potential of Photoshop for crafting. I've been teaching Photoshop and graphic design, photo editing, digital scrapbooking, e-commerce, and online school development for a decade. It's my goal to help you build the skills and knowledge that will last you a lifetime. Learn more about me. Are you ready to start the journey? Join me!




Course Curriculum


  Family Tree Poster Lesson 2: Highlight Your Family Name for both CC and Elements
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What version of Photoshop do I need?

This video-based class will work perfectly for Photoshop Elements version 10 and above, and Photoshop CS6 and above. Adobe offers 30-day free trials of their latest software from their downloads page.

What level of Photoshop skill does this course require?
The prerequisite to this class is a basic grasp of Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. I recommend that you take my beginning Photoshop class, Digital 1: Just for Fun before beginning this course (p.s. that class is free! Woo!).
Do you have a sample course so I can see what it's like?
I sure do! Head up to the Digital Scrapbooking category at the top of your screen and then choose Digital 1: We've Just Begun. This is a complete digital scrapbooking class, and not only stands on its own as a great Photoshop foundation, but is a great example of what all my courses are like!
What if I need help during class?
The cool thing about the digital scrapbooking (Photoshop hobbyist) community is that we've all been there. Right where you are. And we've all been helped by someone else to get us through. I believe in paying forward. Each lesson of each class contains a Disqus forum where you can ask and answer questions and post and view projects from other students. Plus, not only can you contact my support center with any question (technical, Photoshop, design, weather, sports scores, whatever), but you can also request FREE one-on-one help with one of my volunteer mentors. Seriously. How great is that?
What if I decide this course just isn't for me?
If your class isn't right for you, for any reason, simply contact us within 30 days of registering, and we'll happily give you a full refund, or place you in another class, plus or minus the tuition difference.

What You'll Get

Detailed HD Screencasts, Delivered by a Pro

All of the classes here at JessicaSprague come with gorgeous video instruction, broken down into project-based lessons and individual tasks within each lesson. This bite-sized approach to Photoshop makes it easy to understand, and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish in just 30 minutes at a time! You can see first hand what I'm demonstrating, then try it for yourself right there! The freedom to rewind, relisten, and rewatch makes this course easy to follow, even with the most complex techniques. I'm right beside you the whole way!

Techniques You'll Use Forever

As a scrapbooker, instructional designer, and graphic designer, I teach techniques you'll find most useful, most interesting, and which deliver the best results throughout every layout you make. You'll gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to create scrapbook pages that make your heart sing! I love watching pages come together, and I LOVE seeing students' work! I can't wait to see yours! Let's unfurl those creative wings together, right here!

Everything But the Photos

All you need for this class are your photographs! I'll provide downloads for everything you'll need to complete each project. In addition to the lesson projects, I'll offer challenges, extra information, links, downloads, and other materials designed to enhance your experience and deepen your understanding of how to use Photoshop. This is about YOU - your investment in yourself, and I can't wait to share what I know!

Permanent Access, at Your Pace

You'll take the class completely at your own pace (you never need to be online at a specific time), and all of the course materials are available to you FOREVER from your My Classes page here at JessicaSprague.com. Our classroom also features a private forum where you can ask and answer questions and participate in discussions, as well as share your beautiful work with me and the other students!

Register now! I can't wait to see you in class!

Get started now!



Create Your Story
  • Founded in June 2007, JessicaSprague.com is the home of the world's best online classes and products for digital crafters. Learn more about Jessica.