The “camera roll problem”: how to pick the right photos
You don’t need hundreds. You need the handful that feel like them — the look they gave you, the way they slept, the place they always chose. This is a simple, calm way to pick the right photos without getting swallowed by your camera roll.
It’s the one that makes you whisper,
‘That’s you.’”
In this post
Why camera rolls feel impossible
Most people don’t have a “photo problem.” They have a meaning problem. Your camera roll is full of duplicates, bursts, blurry moments, screenshots, and “I’ll sort it later.” When you finally sit down to choose, it feels like you’re trying to find a heartbeat in a sea of noise.
And if your pet is gone (or you’re preparing for that day), there’s another layer: choosing photos can feel like choosing what counts — which is terrifying, because everything counted.
You’re not picking “the best photos.” You’re picking the most true. The ones that carry their presence.
The 30-photo rule (fast + kind)
Here’s the simplest method we’ve found for choosing pet photos for a memoir, memorial, or keepsake album: make a first draft of 30. Not 300. Not “all the good ones.” Just 30.
Step 1: Make three quick piles
- Yes — instant “that’s them.”
- Maybe — could be useful, but not sure yet.
- No — duplicates, bursts, blurry, screenshots, accidental.
Your only job in this step is speed. Don’t zoom in. Don’t overthink. Trust the gut recognition.
Step 2: Fill 30 slots using a simple ratio
- 10 “everyday them” (the normal moments you miss most)
- 8 “face + eyes” (connection photos)
- 6 “places” (their favourite spot, your home, your walk)
- 4 “with you / family” (proof of belonging)
- 2 “joy + chaos” (zoomies, silly, signature quirks)
Step 3: Pick 5 “anchor” photos
Anchor photos are the ones you’d save if you lost everything else. They hold the emotional spine of the story. Pick 5.
Choose the photo that makes you smile and ache at the same time. That’s usually the one that’s most honest.
What to include so it feels like them
The goal isn’t variety. The goal is recognition — the details that make someone say, “That’s exactly how they were.”
1) The “look”
Every pet has a look: the slow blink, the side-eye, the “are we going?” stare. Include at least one photo where their eyes feel like a conversation.
2) The way they slept
Curled. Upside down. Paws in the air. Nose tucked into your shirt. Sleep photos are strangely powerful because they show trust.
3) Their place
Not the prettiest place — their place. The sunny patch. The couch corner. The doorstep. The beach spot they always chose.
4) One imperfect photo
A slightly blurry photo can be worth more than a perfect one if it captures a habit: the head tilt, the begging face, the “I’m guilty” walk. Imperfect can be intimate.
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
Mistake: choosing only “milestone” photos
Birthdays are nice. But the photos that break your heart (in a good way) are usually the ordinary days. If your selection feels cold, add more “Tuesday afternoon” moments.
Mistake: keeping too many duplicates “just in case”
Pick one per moment. One. If you need help deciding, choose the photo where the eyes feel most alive.
Mistake: avoiding photos that hurt
You never have to force yourself. But if your collection feels incomplete, you might be skipping the photos that contain the deepest love. A gentle compromise is to include one emotional photo — and surround it with softness.
Want someone to do the sorting for you?
u&me curates your camera roll into a story-first digital pet memoir (plus a premium album you can hold). We pick the photos that feel like them, then gently enhance and sequence them with the care we’d want for our own pets.
If you’re selecting photos in grief: go slow, take breaks, and ask for support if you need it. Love doesn’t need to be rushed to be real.