How to collect photos from family and friends for a celebration of life

A simple way to gather everyone's photos of a loved one before and after a memorial service, without email chains or apps.

Why email and text threads fall short

Photos sent by text or email are compressed, scattered across inboxes, and easy to lose. The people who have the best old photos are often the least comfortable with technology.

Use one link everyone can open

Create a single shared page and send the link to family and friends. They tap it, choose photos from their phone, and they're added. No app to install and no account to create.

Ask early, and again at the service

Put the link in the service notice so photos arrive before you need them for a slideshow or display. Print a small QR code on the order of service for people who want to add photos on the day.

Name one person to curate

Choose one family member to look through what arrives and pick the photos for any slideshow or board. Everyone else only has to upload.

Keep the originals

Download everything as one zip afterwards so the full-quality photos are kept safe for the family.