Choosing photos for a meaningful tribute
A gentle guide to choosing photographs that help tell their story and create a meaningful funeral slideshow.
There’s no perfect photo
Selecting photos can feel unexpectedly difficult during a time of grief. Many families worry about choosing the “right” images or whether they have enough.
The truth is, the most meaningful tributes are rarely about perfect photos. They are about connection, personality, love and the moments that mattered most.
This guide will help you choose photographs that reflect their life and create a tribute that feels natural, heartfelt and deeply personal.
What makes a beautiful tribute?
It’s about a story, not perfection
The most moving memorial tributes are usually the ones that feel real.
Professional photography is not necessary
A favourite smile.
A holiday photo.
A blurry image from years ago.
A quiet moment with family.
A photo that simply feels like them.
How many photos should you choose?
Generally most memorial tributes work beautifully with approximately:
Soft Drift - up to 30 photographs
Reflections - up to 60 photographs
Evermore - up to 80 photographs
Some lives are told beautifully in 40 carefully chosen moments.
Others naturally unfold through a larger collection of memories.
If you are unsure, simply send more rather than less. Drift & Flow can help guide the final selection and pacing.
There is no strict rule. When you have chosen the tribute style you wish to use we will guide you with the recommended amount of photos for each tribute.
Photos that help tell their story
A meaningful tribute often includes a mix of moments from throughout life.
Early Years
Childhood, school photos, siblings, early family life.
Family & Relationships
Partners, children, grandchildren, celebrations, everyday moments together.
Personality & Passions
Hobbies, music, sport, gardening, fishing, pets, travel, creative interests.
Milestones & Achievements
Weddings, anniversaries, career moments, military service, community involvement.
Quiet Everyday Moments
The simple moments are often the most powerful — smiling at home, sitting in the garden, laughing with family.
Recent Years
Photos that reflect how family and friends remember them today.
Often, the photos families almost leave out become the ones everyone remembers most.
Do photos need to be in order?
No perfect order is needed
You don't need to organise your photographs before sending them.
If you already have them grouped loosely by life stage, that's helpful, but it's certainly not necessary. We'll arrange them into a natural flow as part of creating your tribute.
No two lives are remembered the same way
What if my photos are old or low quality?
Older photos are often the most meaningful
scanned prints
older photographs
screenshots
cropped images
faded or slightly damaged
That is completely okay.
Many treasured family photos are:
A meaningful tribute isn't about technical perfection.
We'll make sure your photographs are presented thoughtfully within the slideshow. If a special photograph needs additional restoration or enhancement, this can also be discussed with you.
Tips for choosing photos
A few simple things to keep in mind as you choose your photographs
Choose photographs that feel meaningful, not just visually perfect
Include a mix of close-up and wider photographs
Include both everyday moments and special occasions
Look for photographs that show personality, relationships and connection
Group photographs can be just as meaningful as individual portraits
Avoid heavily filtered images where possible
Screenshots are perfectly okay if they capture an important memory
Don't overthink every photograph — connection matters more than perfection
Photo scanning help
How to digitise your printed photos
If you only have printed photographs, you can still include them.
Photos can be:
Scanned using a home printer or scanner
Photographed clearly with a smart phone
Digitised using a photo scanning app
If photographing a printed photo, place it on a flat surface in good natural light. Try to avoid glare, reflections and shadows, and hold your phone directly above the photograph.
You don’t need to have everything perfectly prepared
Many families worry they are sending:
too many photos
not enough photos
the wrong photos
photos that are too old or imperfect
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you begin.
Drift & Flow is here to gently guide families through this process with care, patience, and experience.
Questions families often ask
From how many photos to choose to which types of photos work best, we’re here to make things feel clear and manageable.
Helpful resources
