How To Prepare Your Photographs and Slides
Please remember not to spend too much time reminiscing and talking about your memories
while you are sorting them.  If you look at a photo for more than five seconds, you 
are reminiscing.  If you stick to the five-second rule, the sorting process can be 
completed in two to four hours. First, take all of your photos and put them on a large
table.  You will be making two stacks: a "Yes" stack and a "No" stack.  

If your photos are in albums, it's OK, they do not need to be removed. Post-it notes 
can be cut in strips and placed on or next to the photo in the album. 

The "No" Section Will Include:

1. All duplicate photos and photos that don't say much.
2. All out of focus photos ... unless there is no other choice.
3. Most plain photos with not much personality, like school pictures, etc.
4. Most tiny pictures, 1" x 1" or smaller, unless there is no other choice.

The "Yes" Section Will Include:
1. All candid photos that show the character and personality of the people in your 
family.  Focus on shots where people are doing something positive and fun.
2. Photos that cover most of the important moments that took place in your family's 
history.  Holidays, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and the like are good choices.
3. Try to include a couple of photos from most every year of each family member's life,
 if possible.  Remember to avoid overkill and choose only the highlights. 

Put the "No" section completely out of sight.

Next, decide how many categories you wish to have and get an equal number of 3/4" 
enclosed file folders to put them in.  On each folder, write the, category name and 
number, in order that you wish them to be presented,  and/or the person's full name, 
the total number of photos in the folder, type of music or song preferred and any 
special notes of importance.  Categories may include: Great grandparents, grandparents,
mom and dad, first-born, second-born, etc., uncles, aunts, cousins, other family 
members and friends.  It isn't mandatory that each section be in chronological order. 

For example: 

	Category 2: Grandma Martha Jones 
	Number of Photos: 40 photos
	Music preferred: Benny Goodman/Big Band

Lay the folders out on the table and begin putting photos from your "yes" stack on top of
their category folder.  You may find that you remove a few photos in this step.  They add
up quicker than you may think: eight categories of 40 photos each  equals 320 photos.
Alternatively, you can also arrange your photos in close-to-chronological order, 
eliminating categories completely.  For photos in albums, get a 3x5 card as a surrogate 
photo and write on it which album the photo is in and a number corresponding to it.  In 
the album, write the photo number on the Post-it note that you marked as "yes" photos 
earlier.  Don't be afraid to ask for help!  

If you get stuck at any point or just need some ideas, please give us a call or email and 
we'd be glad to assist you.


Priceless Memories, LLC
Family Tree Video
Toll Free: 888-829-6015 
help@pricelessmemdvd.com