Pick a scenario for your group (Circle or highlight your group’s focus)
Early Childhood:
A parent wants to create a photo project for their child, who was recently diagnosed with a learning disability. They want to focus on their artwork and photos of them doing things they love, to support identity, build their confidence and sense of accomplishment. They have a lot of digitized artwork and photos they’ve taken during various tutoring sessions and to celebrate therapy milestones.
Bereavement Support:
A family wants a photo memorial for a loved one who recently died of cancer. They are grieving and emotionally overwhelmed. They want something meaningful but not distressing for the upcoming celebration of life service, and maybe to look at in their grief & healing to come. Photos were always important to their loved one, and they have a large digital collection she meticulously organized during her treatments.
Memory Care Transition
An adult daughter wants to create a simple and durable photo display to help her parent with dementia adjust in their move to a memory care facility. They want to make the room feel welcoming with familiar elements, and for their parent to feel loved and connected on the days they cannot visit. She has took over the family photos a few years back, and has them pretty well organized as part of her year in review photo book tradition..
Step 1: Your Usual Approach (as a Photo Manager)
- What format would you create? (book, slideshow, poster, other)
- What types of photos would you choose?
- What story are you telling?
✎ Notes:
Step 2: Where is Reminiscence Already Happening?
Identify elements that support:
- Identity
- Relationships
- Familiarity
- Emotional connection
✎ Notes:
Step 3: Apply Reminiscence Principles Intentionally
How would you adapt this project to better support connection and well-being?
Consider:
- How do you ensure emotional safety?
- How do you avoid overwhelm?
- What should be simplified, repeated, or emphasized?
- Are there sensory elements to include? (music, objects, environment)
- How does this change based on life stage or cognitive ability?
✎ Notes:
Step 4: One Key Insight
What is one thing you would do differently after applying reminiscence principles?
✎ Notes:
Reminiscence therapy principles: emotional safety • life-stage relevance • sensory engagement • flexibility • connection over perfection
