The impact photography has on any story cannot be underestimated. Pictures illustrate people and events, they capture emotions and bring scenes to life. If you have a large photography collection, you may struggle to select those that should go into your memoir, especially if you have several photographs that show the same event.

Even though photographs are important additions to a memoir, it is imperative to keep in mind that each photograph has to add meaning to your story, otherwise adding it into your book will be unnecessary.

1. Consider the main characters in your story.

Characters that play a larger role in your book should appear at least once in the photographs that you include.

If your memoir follows your family life and specific family members appear more in your story than others, include photos that show who they are or that capture memories shared with them.

These photos should appear earlier in the work when the character is mentioned to give the reader an idea and picture of the people’s identity.

In the memoir Nine Lives and Counting by John P. Culnane, which chronicles his remarkable life growing up during World War II, in war-torn England, his later move to the United States, and his service in the Vietnam War, Culnane includes a photograph of his father, Stephen Culnane. In the book, he recounts his father’s absence during his childhood years and their distant relationship.

His father who is portrayed as a stern and formal man, who carried on the values and standards he learned during his time in the army, is shown in another photo wearing a tie during a family vacation a reflection of his strict and formal attitude.

2. Add photographs that mark changes and significant events in your life.

A great way to ensure you only include photos relevant to your memoir is to assess which ones show important, memorable events in your life that are highlighted in your book.

In Joanne King’s book, Fashioned: The Secret Life of a Mom, a memoir that offers a close perspective of the world of business, fashion, and music, King includes a photo taken by her classmate earlier in her life, just when her career in modeling and fashion was about to begin.

3. Choose pictures that evoke emotion.

Pictures that show the characters’ emotions provide more information about the character and their personality, which allows the reader to connect better with them.

In Fashioned, King includes a photograph of her father before his time in the army during World War II. In the photograph, her father is smiling, an indication of the pride he felt serving his country during the war.

White Woman Black Heart follows Barbara Miller’s journey of spiritual and political awakening. It covers her efforts during the 1970s of helping the Mapoon people resettle on their land.

In a photo taken during the Aboriginal Tent Embassy demonstrations in Canberra, Australia, Miller is seen passionately protesting alongside other protestors. While contrasted with an earlier photo taken during her university’s orientation program, the photo shows a changed Miller who is passionate and surer of herself.