The footage to gather

  1. An old photograph
  2. A present-day recreation
  3. A short reflection together

Give each moment a little breathing room. Get close enough to show the detail, and keep the original clips handy.

Plan a short keepsake

Opening

Open on the little moment you would miss if it were lost.

Middle

Keep the original voices and order only the clips needed to make that moment understandable.

Ending

Leave room for the quiet reaction after the main event.

Review it for anniversaries

Check the dates and get permission before including private letters or recordings.

Ask yourself: Does it feel like the people you remember, rather than a highlight reel?

Watch it as if you were seeing it for the first time. If something is unclear, try a different cut or add the missing shot.