Choosing Photos That Tell a Story
The right photos make everything better—sharper AI analysis, richer interview prep, and a finished keepsake that truly captures a life.
The goal
Each photo should trigger a specific memory.
“Oh, I remember that day…”
If you can imagine your loved one saying that when they see the photo—it belongs. That's the bar.
How many photos?
There's no hard cap. Think of these as minimums, not limits:
- ✓Aim for at least 3–5 photos per life chapter
- ✓Most projects land between 50 and 150 photos
- ✓Your finished keepsake can show multiple images per page—don't self-limit
- ✓The real question: does each photo earn its place by triggering a story?
What to include
The subject at every age
Portraits spanning decades are the backbone of the story. Baby photos through recent pictures—show the arc of a life.
Key relationships
With their spouse, parents, children, best friend. The people who shaped their story belong in the frame.
Milestone moments
Wedding day, graduation, military service, career highlights, retirement—the days that changed everything.
Places that matter
The childhood home, the family business, the lake house. Places hold memories as powerfully as people.
Everyday life
Hobbies, holidays, cooking dinner, coaching Little League, candid moments. These are often the most treasured.
Documents & artifacts
Letters, newspaper clippings, military records, report cards. These fill gaps where photos don't exist.
What to skip
- Group shots where the subject is just a face in the crowd
- Photos of other people where the subject isn't present—unless the place or object itself is the story
- Multiple near-identical shots from the same event—pick the best one
- Scenic photos without story context
- Poor quality duplicates—but keep a blurry photo if it's the only one from that era
Quick curation method
Sort roughly by decade
For each decade, name the 3–5 most important things happening in their life
Find at least one photo for each
Note the gaps—those are worth discussing in interviews
Ask: “Would this earn a place in the finished keepsake?”
Coverage checklist
Use this as a guide, not a rulebook. Aim for at least these numbers.
| Life Phase | Aim For | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Early childhood | 2–3+ | Baby photo, with parents, childhood home |
| School years | 3–5+ | School portrait, sports, with siblings |
| Young adult | 3–5+ | Graduation, first job, military, dating |
| Marriage & family | 5–10+ | Wedding, first home, babies, family portraits |
| Career | 3–5+ | Workplace, achievements, colleagues |
| Middle years | 5–10+ | Kids growing up, vacations, hobbies |
| Later years | 3–5+ | Retirement, grandkids, golden anniversary |