Tips to Making Your Slideshows Terrific

Slideshows can be a fun-filled way to take trip down memory lane. But, slideshows that cover popular topics are often predictable and, well, cheesy. So how does one avoid this photo-based faux pas? The answer is simple: wow them with originality.

The Big Three

When you think of slideshows, often weddings, birthdays and anniversaries come to mind. Here are some thoughts on each:

• Weddings

  Every couple is unique and has a story to tell. Use that uniqueness to build a slideshow that’s both personalized and interesting to watch. For example, if the bride and groom are complete opposites, then use pictures, music and information to illustrate how perfectly they complement each other.

• Birthdays

  Depending on whether your special someone is a child or an adult will probably affect how you approach this one.

  If they’re a child, take time to explain interesting things about them, like what their unique pastimes are, how they got their nickname and what their special talents are.

  If they’re an adult, you can collect pictures and birthday wishes from their close friends and relatives and use them in your slideshow. You can also make a list of your top ten favorite things about them and illustrate them through the show’s pictures, music and text.

• Anniversaries

  Whether you’re putting together a slideshow for your own anniversary or someone else, the key to having a hit is to share facts about the couple that others don’t know. To do this ask parents, grandparents and friends (new and old) to find out the info that’ll make your show a smash. You’ll also want to get copies of long lost photos, pictures of once treasured items and music to fit both the mood and the era.

All in the Family

Newborn babies, childhood and family events are all great sources of slideshow subjects. However, they can also come with much of the same stigma as looking at someone else’s photo album or home movies—hence, they must be carefully crafted for creativity.

• Babies

  All babies are precious, but most slideshows about them are boring. To overcome this wee problem, you’ll want to use music, slideshow effects and as many pieces of unique information about the baby as possible (i.e. 200 years ago, on the day little Johnny was born, Lewis and Clark return to St. Louis from the Pacific Northwest). Fun facts on specific dates are available on numerous websites on the Internet.

• Kids

  For younger children, you can help them put together a slideshow of their favorite things, using their own language, thoughts and ideas.

  For teenagers, you can add pictures of their interests, things that are influencing them and what they’d like to accomplish in the future.

• Family

  Family vacations, camping trips and visits to the beach are all great candidates for slideshows. Remember to share funny or unique events that occurred on the vacation in your slideshow and distinct historical facts about the places you visited.

  You can also put together a unique year-in-review slideshow, where you highlight special moments and activities of your family. Remember to pick events that occurred throughout the entire year and to use the different seasons as backdrops to add depth and texture to your slideshow.

Holidays, family reunions, memorial services, religious celebrations, class reunions and business parties are all excellent topics for interesting and creative slideshows as well.

So, regardless of whether you’re doing a slideshow on your great-grandfather or on your trip to the great outdoors, keeping it creative is just a matter of detail.