Review these resources to plan your project before selecting photos:
- Story Ideas Page: Guidelines for choosing your story.
- Simple Steps to Choose Your Best Memories (06:56): Video guide for picking the best images.
How to Choose the Best Photos
Submit high-resolution, unaltered image files to ensure accurate line art conversion. The following guidelines define the technical requirements for subject isolation, edge clarity, exposure, and composition required for optimal processing. Review these parameters prior to file upload to prevent processing delays.
- Focus on One Subject
- For the best results, pick photos that show just one person, one place, or one special object. If a photo has a big crowd or a busy background, it can be harder to create a clear, relaxing image.
- Keep It Sharp
- Send us the clearest, sharpest photo you have. When the edges of faces and objects are crisp, we can draw the bold, clean lines that make our art easy and fun to color.
- Find Good Lighting
- Photos taken in natural, even light work great. Try to avoid pictures with heavy shadows, bright glares, or dark shapes where you can’t see the details.
- Look for Simple Backgrounds
- Plain walls or quiet, tidy rooms are perfect. They help the main subject stand out so the focus stays exactly where it should be.
- Show the Whole Picture
- Make sure the most important parts of the photo aren’t cut off. For a portrait, it is best if we can see the whole face and both shoulders.
- Use Original Photos
- Please send your photos without any heavy edits or digital filters. Natural, untouched images help us keep the “authentic identity” of your loved one—showing them exactly as they truly are.
- The People, Places, and Things System
- The People: Choose portraits where the person is facing forward with a natural expression. We will remove the background to help them focus on the face they love.
- The 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.
- The Things: When picking a special object—like a first car or a favorite pet—make sure the item stands out clearly from the background so we can capture all the little details.
Sending Your Photos
We love seeing your family snapshots, old heirlooms, and historical photos! Please make sure you own the photo or have permission to use it.
When you are ready, simply upload the highest-quality file directly from your phone or computer. (It is better to use the actual photo instead of a screenshot if you can!)