Short answer: To get family members to share photos for a group keepsake, make the request simple and specific. Use one shared upload location, give a clear deadline, explain what the keepsake is for, and ask for particular kinds of photos instead of saying, “Send me anything you have.”

Tell everyone what you are making

People are more likely to help when they understand the project. Say whether you are creating a family photo book, reunion album, memorial collection, anniversary gift, retirement keepsake, or another shared project.

Use one upload method

Avoid collecting some images by text, others by email, and still others through several cloud links. Choose one primary location whenever possible.

Examples include a shared cloud folder, shared photo album, or one designated email address for the project.

Give specific photo prompts

Instead of “send family photos,” ask for categories:

• One favorite photo with Grandma
• One childhood family vacation photo
• Your favorite holiday memory
• A photo of the old family home
• One candid photo people may not have seen

Specific prompts reduce duplicate submissions and make the final collection more interesting.

Set a real deadline

A deadline keeps the project moving. Give family members enough time to look through old albums or digital libraries, but do not leave the request open indefinitely.

What information should they include?

Ask for	Why it helps
Names	Identifies people future family members may not recognize
Date or approximate year	Places the image in the family timeline
Location	Adds context to trips, homes, schools, and events
Short memory	Explains why the image matters
Who submitted it	Makes follow-up easier if information is missing

Ask for original files when possible

Photos sent through messaging apps may be compressed. If someone has the original digital file, ask them to upload that version instead.

What about old printed photographs?

Ask family members to scan the original when possible. If they photograph a print with a phone, have them use even light, keep the camera parallel to the image, and avoid glare.

Do not make one person identify everything

Use the group to fill in missing information. A shared “unknown people or dates” list can help relatives identify photos collaboratively.

Turn the group archive into individual keepsakes

Once the family photos are collected, one master set can support several gifts: a photo book, framed group, calendar, scrapbook, or individual keepsakes for different relatives.

If one image is especially meaningful to a specific person, it can also become a custom Stwrap for a compatible bag strap or wide lanyard.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get relatives to actually send photos?

Keep the request short, explain the purpose, give specific prompts, and set a deadline.

What if everyone sends the same photos?

Ask for different categories or one personal favorite from each contributor rather than general family photos.

Should I let everyone edit the shared folder?

That can work for a small trusted group. For a large project, a more controlled upload process may reduce accidental deletions or renaming.