A common question is “how many photos should I include”?

There’s no right or wrong answer. Each montage is unique and designed to keep the flow and pacing of your video moving along, engaging your guests. For many of them, it’s a walk down memory lane.

In general, a montage begins with 100 photos and can include any amount up to 250 photos. Shorter can be better. You don’t want to make your guests sit through a 15-minute video while their food is getting cold, kids are getting antsy, and the DJ is on the clock.

For some people, something short (five or six minutes) is better and more easily digestible. For others, a 12-minute video makes sense – roughly one minute for each year. Photo choice and music can make a big impact on how long it “feels.

What pictures should I include?

You probably have hundreds or even thousands of pictures on your phone. It can be stressful or feel overwhelming to find the “right ones” to use for your montage. Don’t sweat it.

Choose pictures that are meaningful to you and help tell your story - pictures with an activity, a fun vacation, a special occasion, birthdays, holidays, important people in your life, etc. It should go without saying, but the Guest of Honor should be in every photo.

It’s always nice to include at least one photo of every guest at your party. Cross reference your guest list. It stands to reason that by including your guests are important people in your life and you’ll have photos of them. Plus, people love seeing themselves on the big screen.

Always share the highest possible resolution file. Avoid “screengrabbing” pictures from your phone.

TIP: Don’t edit yourself crazy. Don’t get stuck because you can’t decide between one photo over another. Leave them for fresh eyes to decide (that’d be us). Remember, this should be fun, not stressful.

HOW SHOULD I ORGANIZE my PHOTOS?

I usually suggest the following folders.

1. The Guest of Honor SOLO shots of him/her only (from birth to present)

2. Guest of Honor + one or both parents

3. Guest of Honor + siblings

4. Extended Family - this includes Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins

5. Friends - from childhood to present, can include family friends as well as school friends

6. Camp Friends (if they go to camp)

7. Teams/Extra-Curricular - If they’re on a sports team or a dance troupe, etc.

8. Pre-shoot - if you have a “mitzvah pre-shoot”

If possible, within each folder, rename the files so they’re roughly in chronological order. If this is too difficult, don’t add stress… I’ll do my best and we can correct them later.

WHAT IF Great grandma or someone extra special can’t travel, but wants to be there?

You may have special guests that you want to be a part of the video. Perhaps they live far away and can’t make it or have extenuating circumstances. A great way to include them is to have them record a brief video clip message with an iPhone. We recommend a maximum of three video “shoutouts.”

We have specific directions (a separate sheet) that offers step-by-step instructions for creating and sending us their shoutout.

OTHER STUFF

If you are using a logo for your party, please include an electronic version with your photos.

If you are including a logo that uses text, please provide the name of the font.

If you do not have a logo, we would be more than happy to design one for your event.