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Tips & Heirlooms

• When everyone is visible within the viewfinder, ask if they can clearly see the camera with both eyes. If they can, the camera can see their faces.
• A hillside or bleachers can make everyone visible. Try to arrange lines of people of equal height. Shoot as close as possible without cutting people out of the picture.
• Natural outdoor light is best for group pictures. Aim for a late afternoon shot, as that is when the light is most flattering.
• Gather everyone’s email address to distribute copies of the photos digitally. Web sites such as Flikr.com or snapfish.com are a great resource for distributing photos online without any additional cost.

• Shoot pictures of people interacting with one another naturally. Try to avoid unflattering shots, such as people eating.
• Try to get close-up shots. This will give you a clearer picture of the people and will help to avoid clutter such as tree limbs, distracting items on tables, etc.
• Minimize the "red eye" effect by having the subject glance at a bright source of light immediately before you snap the picture. This will close down the iris in the eye and reduce flash reflections from blood vessels.
• Don't try to illuminate a large area with a flash. A built-in flash typically won't properly light anything more than about 12 feet away. Generally, photos are more natural and interesting if taken with natural light instead of a flash.
• People squint when looking into the sun. It helps to have people close their eyes until right as you take the photo — count to three and have them open their eyes as you say “three!”
• Above all, always keep the camera within reach. You never know when the perfect photo opportunity will arise!

• Ask your subjects' permission to shoot them and only shoot in areas where everyone has granted it. That way, you'll avoid the distraction of people trying to step out of the way.
• Minimize the use of zooms. Visually, it is far more interesting to physically move the camera (smoothly) when trying to get closer or further away from a subject than to zoom.
• Pan very slowly to avoid the annoyance of "jumping" images. Remember, camera moves will seem exaggerated when viewed.
• Tape people when they are not aware of you. Posing is painfully obvious to the viewer.
• Add music and a "voice over," describing the action to transform amateur footage into an entertaining program — something you'll take pride in showing.

• Interview relatives about their lives. Ask them to recount stories about their childhood, friends, education, parents, memorable events, etc. Some possible interview questions include:

1. What is your first memory?
2. What is your proudest moment?
3. Who was your first crush?
4. How did you meet your spouse/significant other?
5. Where were you at an important date in history? (e.g. When President Kennedy was killed, 9/11, etc.)
6. Where was your favorite place to live?
7. What was your favorite job?
8. If you could go back in time, would you change anything?

• If possible, go to locations that have played an important role in their lives, and ask them to talk about the role these places have played in their lives, such as childhood homes, first schools, favorite hangouts, etc.
• Let them introduce people around them who are important to them.

• An album. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Select one with acid-free pages that won't turn photos yellow. You may also prefer one that lets you add pages at any time.
• Adhesives. "Photo corners" are the traditional way to hold photos. But you can create a more modern look by using double-sided photo tape.
• Scissors. Get a sharp pair of straight scissors for trimming or "cropping" photographs and creating designs from paper stock. Special-edged scissors can create interesting borders for your photos or paper. Use a straight-edge paper cutter for cutting long straight lines.
• Page protectors. Clear page protectors protect photos from spills and children's fingerprints.
• Paper. Use paper of different colors and textures to create design elements. Or use large sheets as backgrounds to give each page a different look.

• If your gathering has a theme, use it in your scrapbook. Weave visual elements throughout the book. Example: If your gathering has a Western theme, use cactus, cowboy hats and six-shooters as visual elements.
• Use magazine articles for page layout ideas.
• Place small photos or portions of photos in strategic places atop larger photos to create collages for visual interest.
• Glue small three-dimensional objects reminiscent of the event over photographs for even more interest. (For example, the invitation, bottle caps, game tokens, pressed flowers, etc.)
• Ask each person to sign one page in the book and possibly list their age. This is a great way to record who attended the gathering and show the variety of generations in attendance.

Follow one of these links for more helpful scrapbooking ideas:

Here’s a helpful idea submitted by Gatherings user Susan Berlin, from Berwick, Pennsylvania:
Supply a photo album and ask each attendee to bring family photos. Give attendees as many album pages as needed and ask them to provide names, dates and ages at the time the photo was taken. By the end of the reunion, you will have a photo keepsake to share at each future reunion.

Establish a family tree
Are you distantly related to a Revolutionary War general? When did your ancestors come to America? Are there any horse thieves or famous inventors in your family background? 

• City records - birth and death certificates
• Libraries and archives
• School records
• Federal census records
• Court documents
• Old cemeteries
• Church records
• Family Bibles and photo albums
• Social Security Administration records
• Military records
• Genealogy Internet sites (See links below)
• Membership organization records - including Modern Woodmen of America.

Click here to go to the History Section of the Modern Woodmen Web site.