How to Collect Memorial Photos from Family and Friends
Need photos for a funeral slideshow? Learn how to gather memorial photos from family quickly using QR codes. No app downloads required.
Short answer: Create a shared upload page with a QR code, then text or email the link to family members. Everyone uploads their photos directly from their phone. No app downloads, no group chat chaos.
- Set up a single collection point instead of chasing individual photos
- Share via text, email, or printed QR codes at the service
- Download all photos in one batch when you are ready to build the slideshow
Who This Is For
This approach works well if you are:
- Organizing a memorial service on short notice
- Coordinating with family members in different locations
- Building a slideshow and need photos from multiple decades
- Not tech-savvy and want something simple
This is not ideal if you only need photos from one or two people. A simple text message works fine for small requests.
The Problem with Group Chats and Email
When someone passes, family members often start sharing photos in group texts or email chains. This creates problems:
- Photos get compressed and lose quality
- Videos fail to send or get cut off
- You spend hours downloading files one by one
- Duplicates pile up with no organization
You need a central place where everyone can contribute without the chaos.
How to Collect Photos Quickly
Step 1: Create an upload page. Use a tool like Gather Shot to set up a dedicated photo collection page. You get a unique link and QR code in minutes.
Step 2: Share the link. Text or email the link to family members. Include a brief message explaining what you need. For example: “We are collecting photos of Dad for the memorial slideshow. Please upload any favorites here.”
Step 3: Print QR codes for the service. Place printed QR codes on tables at the memorial. Guests can scan and upload photos directly from their phones. No app required.
Step 4: Download everything. Once photos are collected, download the full set in one click. You have everything you need to build your slideshow.
How Gather Shot Helps
Gather Shot is a photo sharing platform for events that works well for memorials. Guests scan a QR code and upload photos instantly from their browser. No app downloads, no account creation.
You can review uploads before they appear in the shared gallery. This lets you filter out duplicates or low-quality images before building your slideshow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do family members need to download an app? No. Guests upload directly from their phone’s browser after scanning the QR code.
Can I collect videos too? Yes. Gather Shot supports both photos and videos, so you can include video memories in your tribute.
How long does setup take? About five minutes. You create an event, customize the page, and share your link.
What if someone uploads something inappropriate? You control what appears in the gallery. All uploads go to your dashboard first, and you approve what gets shown.
Losing a loved one is hard enough. Collecting photos should not add stress. A simple upload page gives everyone a way to contribute, and gives you the materials you need to create a meaningful tribute.