The quality of your finished book depends directly on the quality of the photographs you submit. This is the one part of the process I can’t correct after the fact, while the images don’t need to be perfect * โ if the original image is blurry, heavily shadowed, or too small, the line-art conversion will reflect that, and I may need to ask you to resubmit before production continues. These guidelines exist to save you that step. Review them before you choose your photos.
- Story Ideas Page: Guidelines for choosing your story.
- Download free worksheets, storytelling prompts, and material evaluation guides from the Caregiver Resource Center.
- Simple Steps to Choose Your Best Memories (06:56): Video guide for picking the best images.
How to Choose the Best Photos
Sounds like a lot of work, I know. Read The Photo Hunt: Turn the Hardest Part Into the Best Part post for a few ideas to make the process another way to connect generations.
Focus on One Subject
One subject per photograph โ one person, one place, or one object. Crowded scenes and busy backgrounds make it harder to produce a clean, recognizable result.
Keep It Sharp
The sharpest image you have. Crisp edges on faces, structures, and objects are what the conversion process relies on. Soft or blurred edges in the original produce soft or blurred lines in the output.
โFind Good Lighting
Natural, even light produces the most reliable results. Heavy shadows, bright spots that wash out detail, and dark interiors where the subject blends into the background all create conversion problems.
โโLook for Simple Backgrounds
Simple backgrounds โ a plain wall, an open field, a tidy room โ let the primary subject stand out rather than compete with its surroundings. This matters most for People photographs, where facial clarity is the priority.
โโโShow the Whole Picture
The full subject needs to be in frame. For portraits, the complete face and both shoulders. For buildings, the full structure or primary facade. For objects, the entire item with visible edges on all sides.
โโUse Original Photos
Submit original photographs without heavy filters, color grading, or digital effects. These modifications alter the tonal relationships the conversion process depends on. The goal is your loved one as they actually looked โ not a stylized version of it.
โโThe People, Places, and Things System
โThe People: Choose portraits where the person is facing forward with a natural expression. We aim to create a clear focus on the main subject.
โThe Places: For childhood homes or special buildings, look for a clear, straight-on photo. This helps spark old memories of where they grew up or lived.
โThe Things: When picking a special objectโlike a first car or a favorite petโmake sure the item stands out clearly from the background so we can capture all the little details.
โSending Your Photos
โScanned prints, film negatives converted to digital, and vintage family photos are welcome โ they often produce some of the most meaningful results. Please make sure you own the photograph or have permission to use it. By uploading, you confirm you hold the rights to the image and agree to our intellectual property terms.
Picking photos that follow these simple rules ensures your final artwork looks sharp and beautiful. When you focus on clear lighting, single subjects, and simple backgrounds, it takes away the guesswork and keeps the memory looking authentic. Take a quick look through your photos and check them against these steps before sending them in.
โWhen youโre ready, upload the original file directly from your phone or computer โ not a screenshot. Screenshots compress image data and reduce the quality available for conversion. If youโre unsure whether a particular photograph will work, submit it. The manual quality review will assess it directly, and if thereโs a concern, Iโll reach out before production begins.
* Standard pricing applies to photographs meeting our baseline Image Guidelines. Images requiring extensive manual repair or reconstruction require the Best Effort Photo Restoration add-on.