10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Photograph for a Memorial Card
At Forever Memorial Cards, we know that selecting a photograph for a tribute is a deeply personal task. It is often the most emotional part of the process—sifting through old albums, digital files, and framed pictures to find that one image that truly captures a person’s spirit.
Whether you are gathered in a kitchen in Cork or sharing digital files across Munster, these photographs are more than just images; they are the stories of our roots and the lives we carry with us. The “perfect” photo isn’t always about technical perfection; it’s about choosing an image that feels true to the person you are remembering.
To help you feel confident in your choice, here are our top 10 tips for selecting a photograph that honours your loved one.
1. Prioritise Personality over Perfection
Often, the best photos are informal “candid” shots. A casual snap of a loved one in their element—perhaps gardening, laughing, or enjoying a cup of tea—often evokes much happier memories than a stiff, formal portrait.
2. Embrace the “Vintage” Look
Don’t worry if a photo looks old. Printed photographs from decades past have a timeless quality. These are especially effective when creating a collage to show the various stages of a person’s life.
3. Seek Out High Resolution
For the best print quality, try to find the original digital file or a high-resolution scan. Screenshots from social media are often too low-quality for professional printing and can appear blurry or pixelated.
4. How to “Scan” Using Your Phone
If you only have a physical print, you can take a high-quality copy with your phone. Place the photo on a flat surface (like a kitchen table) near a window for natural light. Hold your phone steady directly above the photo, ensuring there are no shadows or glare from the ceiling lights.
5. Lighting is Key
Choose photos taken in bright, natural light. Photos taken in dimly lit rooms or with a heavy flash can be difficult to reproduce clearly on a memorial card.
6. Keep the Background Simple
An uncluttered background keeps the focus entirely on your loved one. However, if you have a photo you love with a busy background, don’t worry—our team can often carefully blend or blur backgrounds using professional software.
7. Professional Enhancements
We use professional editing tools to ensure your photos look their best. We can subtly adjust brightness, contrast, and colour levels to improve the overall clarity of an older or slightly dark image.
8. Send the Uncropped Version
If possible, send us the full, uncropped photo. This gives our design team more “room” to frame the subject perfectly and create a balanced, aesthetically pleasing layout for the card.
9. Consider Timeless Black and White
If a colour photo is faded or has poor lighting, converting it to black and white is a stylish alternative. It evokes a sense of elegance and looks beautiful on a traditional Irish memorial card.
10. Talk to the Family
Choosing a photo is a beautiful way to share stories. Ask siblings or friends for their input; they might have a “hidden gem” of a photo that you’ve never seen, which perfectly captures a side of the person you want to celebrate.
We Are Here to Help
If you have a photograph but aren’t sure if the quality is high enough, please reach out to us. We are always happy to provide professional advice before you place your order.
Email your photos to: info@forevermemorialcards.ie
Our Studio: Operating from Lismore, Co. Waterford, we serve families across Waterford and the Munster region.
Pricing: All orders are processed in Euro.