01
Preserve the originals and identify the working copies
Keep the original photographs separate from the copies used for selection and editing. Give the working collection a clear label so an exported image is not mistaken for the only surviving file. Note the date or occasion where it is known, and leave uncertainty visible when it is not. A folder name can describe the collection without recording a private address. The goal at this stage is to understand what material is available and retain a clear route back to the source of each selected image.
02
Choose moments that add something different
Review similar photographs together and select the one that best serves the intended album page. Then look at the collection as a whole: a close portrait, a wider setting and a small everyday detail can each contribute something different. This is an editorial choice rather than a rule that every album must follow. Record a short reason for an uncertain selection so it can be revisited. Avoid adding a caption that claims to know an animal’s thoughts; describe the visible moment or an owner-supplied memory instead.
03
Check captions and the intended sharing boundary
Read each caption beside its chosen photograph and confirm names, dates and any details supplied by another person. Decide whether the finished album is private, shared with a small group or intended for publication. Review backgrounds and captions for identifying information before sharing, and obtain appropriate permission for photographs or contributions that belong to others. Keep the selected export separate from the originals and note which version was shared. A clear final collection preserves both the visual sequence and the context needed to understand it.