How to Interview Grandparents About Old Family Photos
Use old photos to record your grandparents' stories: preparing restored photos, 30 questions to ask, recording tips and how to save the stories with the photos.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
The most valuable information about your family photos isn't in the photos. It's in your grandparents' memories: who those people were, what happened that day, what the house smelled like. Photos are the best way to unlock those memories. Here's how to turn a visit into a recorded family history.
Prepare the photos
- Choose 10–20 photos for one session. More is tiring.
- Restore them first. Clear faces trigger recognition and memories. With Refixo, you can restore faded, scratched photos in seconds, and colorize black and white ones, which often prompts comments like "her dress was blue, not green!"
- Show them on an iPad or as prints, large enough to see easily (see restoring old photos on iPad).
Set up the conversation
- Choose a quiet, relaxed moment, with tea or coffee.
- Ask permission to record. Use your phone's voice recorder or video.
- Go at their pace. Some photos will bring up sadness; that's okay.
- Let them hold the prints if they like.
30 questions to ask
About the photo
- Who is in this photo?
- Where was it taken?
- When do you think it was?
- Who took it?
- What was happening that day?
- What happened just before or after?
About the people
- What was this person like?
- What did they do for work?
- How did they meet?
- What did they sound like? Any expressions they always used?
- What did they like to eat or cook?
- What happened to them later?
About places
- What was the house like inside?
- What did you see from the window?
- What was the street or village like then?
- What did you do for fun?
About their own life
- What do you remember about being this age?
- What was school like?
- What were holidays and celebrations like?
- What music did you listen to?
- What did you wear on special days?
- What were you worried about then?
- What were you proud of?
About colors and details (great for colorized photos)
- Is this how the colors looked?
- What color was the house, the car, the dress?
- Is anything in this photo missing that you remember?
Reflection
- What would you like great-grandchildren to know about these people?
- Which photo would you save in a fire?
- Is there a story behind this photo nobody knows?
- Who else should I ask about this?
Save the stories with the photos
- Add names and short stories to photo captions (see labeling old photos).
- Keep audio files named to match the photos.
- Transcribe key stories into a document or photo book (see family photo book ideas).
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a conversation about old photos?
Show a restored photo and ask an open question: "Tell me about this day."
Should I record the interview?
Yes, with permission. A voice recording preserves their voice as well as their stories.
How many photos should I bring?
10–20 per session, so it stays enjoyable.
Why restore the photos first?
Clearer faces and colors help recognition and often bring back specific memories.
Restore it in seconds
Bring your old photos back to life
Refixo's AI removes scratches, tears and stains, sharpens faces and colorizes black & white photos in seconds. Free to download on iPhone and iPad, with a 3-day free trial.
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