Don’t Stress About Perfection

A slightly crooked scan or a photo with a bit of glare is still far better than losing the memory entirely. The goal is preservation, not perfection. Your slideshow story editor can often crop, straighten, or gently enhance images.

Add Context While It’s Fresh

As you digitize you’ll probably remember details you haven’t thought about in years. There’s no better time to jot these things down:

• Who or what is pictured
• Approximate date
• Why the item matters
• Any story or memory it brings up

These notes are gold for storytelling.

Don’t Forget the Bottom and the Back

The reverse side of photos, letters, and objects often contains important context — dates, names, handwriting, notes. Physical items might have inscriptions under the object’s base. Take pictures of all sides!

Use the Camera You Have

Modern phone cameras are incredibly capable, and for most of us, this is the easiest option. A few quick tips:

• Shoot in bright, indirect light (near a window is ideal)
• Avoid overhead lights that cause glare
• Fill the frame with the item, but don’t crop too tightly
• Place the item on a simple background (white paper or an even a bedsheet without a pattern can do wonders)

Scanners Are Great But Not Essential

A scanner gives the cleanest, most accurate digital copy — especially for loose photos, documents, and artwork.They’re perfect for things you can easily lay flat on a glass surface. Why they’re great:

• Even lighting
• High resolution
• No glare

They’re not as perfect for other items, like books or jewelry. And they’re useless on physical objects like furniture or toys. So, if you don’t have a scanner, no need to fret. Your camera phone will do just fine.

Scrapbook Pictures

It’s not always possible to remove a picture mounted in a scrapbook. That’s OK because there’s often a lot of texture there that becomes part of the story, like a yellowed page or a small fold at the top of the page. For best results:

• Lay the book as flat as possible but don’t force it
• Rulers or other flat objects can be used to to keep the book open
• Digitize one picture at a time if possible
• Fill the camera frame with the picture you’re “scanning” but leave room around the edges for tweaks
• Hold the phone directly above the picture — not at an angle
• Light the scrapbook from above with a soft, warm light
• If you see glare, move slightly to the left or right until it disappears

Photographing Framed Photos

Like scrapbooks, sometimes removing a photo from a frame isn’t possible — or safe. You can still get a great digital version.

• Clean the glass first
• Turn off overhead lights
• Use natural light from the side
• Tilt the frame slightly to avoid glare, then match your phone’s angle to it
• If glare persists, step slightly to the left or right until it disappears

Capturing Real World Objects

Heirlooms, keepsakes, medals, jewelry, tools, and handmade items can all be photographed beautifully.

• Use soft, even lighting
• Photograph from multiple angles
• Include close‑ups of meaningful details (engraving, texture, wear)
• Add a note explaining the object’s significance

Related Journal Entries

• Reflections in Sound and Picture – Our lives leave traces in pictures, recordings, and the small moments we save. These reflections help Wildflower tell your wonderful person’s story, and gathering them can become a meaningful, even uplifting, part of remembering.
• Preparing Your Memories for Storytelling – A few small steps can turn your photos and recordings into a vivid, meaningful tribute. Discover how choosing the right moments, adding context, and sharing your vision helps your story editor craft a memorial that feels true, personal, and deeply resonant.
• The Easiest Ways to Share Photos and Videos – Sharing your photos and videos doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you text, email, or use cloud storage, a few simple choices help keep everything high‑quality and easy for your story editor, making collaboration smooth and meaningful.

Journal Photo by Sajad Nori via Unsplash