Are You Keeping Other People’s Memories? Let’s Talk About Event Photo Clutter

Let's face it, we all have those photos on our camera roll that we're not quite sure why we took. Baby showers, weddings, retirement parties… I’ve snapped my fair share of table decorations, stacks of gifts, and even random guests I don’t know. Does this sound familiar to you?

It’s so easy to get caught up in capturing every detail of an event, but at the end of the day, do I really need ten pictures of a cake I didn’t even eat? (okay, I probably did have a small piece) Or the Mother-to-be holding up a Diaper Genie? Probably not.

Why Are We Keeping So Many Event Photos?

When we attend special occasions, we want to remember the moments. But instead of focusing on the people and the experience, we sometimes document everything. It feels harmless at the time—until months (or years) later when our camera rolls are full of pictures that don’t mean anything to us.

That’s when it’s time for a photo review session.

What Should You Keep?

Here’s what I’ve started doing when I go through my own event photos:

✅ Keep pictures where you’re with the honoree—those moments are personal and meaningful.

✅ Hold onto group shots with family and friends you truly care about.

✅ Save a few candid moments that tell a story or capture genuine emotions. For instance, a child's reaction to a surprise, a couple's first dance, or a group laughing together.

What Can You Let Go?

🗑️ Random pictures of decorations (unless you designed them and want to remember your work).

🗑️ Photos of gifts (once they’ve been opened and appreciated, the memory is enough).

🗑️ Pictures of people you don’t know or will never see again.

Once you’ve shared the best photos with the honoree, you’ll feel free to delete the rest. Digital clutter is real, and freeing up space means you’ll actually enjoy looking at the photos you do keep. It's a liberating feeling, trust me.

So, if your phone is like mine and full of event photos you haven’t sorted, take a few minutes to review them. What’s worth keeping, and what’s just taking up space? Let’s make room for the memories that truly matter.