Should I Include Photos In My Memoir?
by Ann Watt
Introduction
I enjoy reading memoirs and consider it a special treat when photos are included in those books. I am intrigued by photos and they draw me deeper into a story. Pictures are additional layers that contribute to a reader’s experience. While I was writing When Being a Nurse Was Fun: Tales from My Life as a Nurse, I knew I wanted to include photos. Upon completion of that manuscript, I scoured my old photo albums and electronic files for the perfect images to supplement what I had written. Adding photos to my memoir, though, was a near-disaster that I regretted. I could say that searching for appropriate photos was wasted time, but I learned a valuable lesson from that experience.
The Photo Printing Disaster
I realized that I had made a mistake by including pictures after I received my first box of books. I had ordered thirty books in anticipation of an upcoming author event and looked forward to selling them in person. My excitement was deflated as I flipped through one of the books. Most of the photographs I had included in it were grossly underexposed. The faces of colleagues and friends were dark and almost unrecognizable. The photos did not look like the ones contained in the author proof that I had approved. I was stuck with books that I was too embarrassed to sell for full price. I gave many away as samples and apologized for the quality of the photos. I lost money and worried about my reputation as an author.
Dealing with the Aftermath
What I feared most was the appearance of the photos in books that I couldn’t personally inspect. Were photos printed in an inferior manner in my books that were sold on Amazon and other online retailers? My suspicions were confirmed after I spoke with a couple friends who had purchased my memoir. They enjoyed what I had written but agreed that the photos looked dark. They couldn’t understand why I included photographs of that caliber, so I explained to them what had happened.
I voiced my complaints to my publisher, and the issue was fixed. The next box of books I ordered was a vast improvement over the first batch. But I didn’t know how many books with the unacceptable exposures were sold elsewhere. I prayed that the debacle didn’t contribute to negative reviews or ratings.
Tips for Authors Considering Photos in Memoirs
Due to that experience, I offer a few tips to authors. Consider the following factors while deciding whether you want to include photos in your memoir:
Enhancing Your Story
Do your photos enhance your nonfiction book? A character or place that is described in detail creates a picture in the reader’s mind; a printed image isn’t imperative. Photos might distract the reader. Spend your time making improvements to your story instead of looking for pictures that match what you wrote.
Expectations from People in Photos
Do you think your family, friends, or colleagues will buy your book because it includes a photo of them? I was surprised by the lack of response from people who were in photos my book contained. The majority of them never contacted me and acknowledged their inclusion. I was hoping they would express appreciation, but they didn’t. Some of them haven’t taken the time to read my memoir either.
Cost Considerations
Are you willing to pay the extra cost to include color photos in your book? Black and white photos are cheaper to print than those created with color ink. I saw the difference in quality when I looked at my e-book version with colorful images compared to the black and white paperbacks. I wished I could have splurged for photos printed in color, but that would have cut into what little profit I earned from sales.
Paper Quality
Another factor that affects the appearance of photos is the type of paper on which they are printed. White paper seems to be more conducive to printing crisp images. A cream shade of paper isn’t the best choice for photographs although it is often favored by authors and readers.
Dealing with Imperfections
How will you react if your book contains photographs that are not perfectly exposed? I was an amateur photographer and embraced high standards where photos were concerned. I was infuriated by the printing error that caused a lack of normal contrast in my photographs. Instead of viewing smiling colleagues, the images of those people resembled silhouetted figures. I have seen books with overexposed images as well. Either extreme is heartbreaking when you know you submitted an excellent photo. No one wants to labor over writing a book and then have it ruined with indistinct or lackluster pictures.
Final Considerations
Prepare yourself for the worst if you intentionally include a photo that you know is blurry or poor quality. Sometimes a technical genius can improve a substandard original photo, but it’s unlikely that it will be eye-catching. I believe that a picture is worth a thousand words, but one that is subpar will detract from your desired effect on readers. The safest course of action is to exclude images.
If you still feel compelled to add photos to your memoir, ask yourself two more questions. Do you trust your publisher or the printing company they utilize? Will they correct any photo problems that arise? I was fortunate that my book was published through a local indie business that was responsive to my concerns. Thankfully, they intervened on my behalf and the photo exposures were corrected as soon as I made them aware of my dissatisfaction.
Alternative Ways to Use Photos
I suggest that an author finds other ways to use photos if they want them associated with their memoir. Utilize photos as a way to create interest and conversations on social media. Photos are excellent marketing tools and can be used to entice a reader who is eager for additional insights. Take control of your photos and remove them from the book printing process. Eliminate the stress of worrying about consistency and how pictures will appear in your books. Provide all of the images in your memoir through words.
About the Author
Raised in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, Ann Watt pursued a career as a nurse and graduated from Fitchburg State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She primarily worked in ICUs for thirty-two years. Showing dedication to her area of expertise, she earned both her adult critical care RN and cardiac surgery specialty certificates.
When Ann is not writing she enjoys traveling and hiking. Photography, birding, and cooking are her other favorite hobbies.
Her debut memoir, When Being a Nurse Was Fun: Tales from My Life as a Nurse was published in 2023. She wrote a short story titled “The Longest Journey.” It was included in Rhode Trip, an anthology that was produced by the Association of Rhode Island Authors in 2024. Her second book, Believe in God, Not Coincidence was published in 2024.
Ann lives in Rhode Island with her husband, Wayne, and her rescue dog.
More information about Ann may be found on her website: http://www.annwattauthor.com.
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annwattauthor.
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