Planning is the key word for creating successful slideshow productions. This is not difficult, but does require time and effort on your part before hiring a professional slideshow creating company to create your unique video slideshow. Here are some steps you can follow to insure a beautiful slideshow production.

1. Determine how long you want your slideshow to be. The length of your slideshow will determine how many photos you can use. If you are using the simple fade-in fade-out style, you can usually use about 80 pictures for a 10 minute show. And that is about all most audiences can handle. However, if you use choose a slideshow creating company that has more creative elements included in the slideshow production, then you may only be able to use 50-60 photos for a 10 minute slideshow. However, the upside of this is that a more creative slideshow can last longer and seem shorter. A 20 minute creative slideshow can feel like only 10 minutes, where a 10 minute fade-in, fade-out slideshow can feel like 30 minutes to a lot of people. As we all know, we don’t always enjoy viewing one anothers photos for a long period of time. So, the more creative the show, the longer it can play and your audience will not even realize how much time has passed.

For instance: Sands of Time Multimedia Creations did a video slideshow for a church that went on a mission trip. They were given hundreds of photos to work with and the end results were a one hour video slideshow presentation. As the youth gathered around to see this, they were not at all excited at the prospect of watching photo after photo for one straight hour. However, as soon as the video started they noticed immediately that this was not your photo-after-photo slideshow. Their attention was captured from the beginning to the ending as they laughed, cried, and cheered. At the end they were surprised it was over and stated that they had no idea an hour had passed! They all purchased their own copy of the video. Creativity - the key to a truly great slideshow presentation!

Click here to view a short sample of a Sands of Time creative style slideshow: http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/samples/Opening1C.htm

2. Pleasing Your Audience – If possible include some photos of the people who will be viewing the presentation. Everyone loves to see themselves light up on the big screen! It will make them feel a part your special event and keep their interest peaked to see who will be showing up next. Also, consider giving credit to those who played a significant role in your event.

To view a sample of a Sands of Time Multimedia Creations slideshow credits page click here: http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/samples/extras/endings/ending4C.htm

3. Decide Your Theme - Choosing your theme will help you choose your photos.

A. Do you want your slideshow to span the life of an individual?

B. Is more than one person’s life going to be featured in this slideshow? If so, do you want their lives shown separately or simultaneously?

C. Is the slideshow going to focus on a specific aspect of the person’s life such as a sports video? A particular hobby? Or a particular quality aspect of a person’s life such as in a Mother’s Day Slideshow or Father’s Day Slideshow?

D. Is the time frame very specific as in a vacation slideshow? Or Christmas slideshow highlighting the current years events?

4. Choose and Organize Your Photos– These are very crucial steps and also very challenging. After all, almost every photo of Jane or Bobby is truly unique and beautiful and shows different character qualities. Sometimes it’s good to have a friend help you because they can be more objective. As cute as Jane or Bobby is, most people get the point after about 3 - 5 pictures in a certain time frame. Organize your photos chronologically or by theme. Or depending on your slideshow, both. Ask Your Sands of Time Multimedia Creations Slideshow Consultant for advice

An example for choosing your photos – Becky is doing a slideshow of her daughter’s graduation. She wants the photos to be from the time she was born to the day of her graduation. She goes through her photos, picks out her favorites and organizes them according to the year. Then she goes back and selects her very favorites from her favorites. Sometimes a third time is necessary, by then you will need to determine which ones MUST be in the slideshow and which ones can be omitted.

5. Choose Quality Photos – This will help you in the choosing process. Ask yourself these questions:

A. Is the photograph clear, not blurred or hazy? The blurring and haziness will be enhanced the more enlarged the photo is.

B. How is the lighting? Too dark or washed out?

C. Is the photo too grainy? Grainy photos do not scan well.

D. Has the photo been cut in an odd shape? – Although these work great for scrapbooking, they work poorly for slideshows.

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6. Choose Your Captions – Captions can add to the appeal of the picture for the audience to help them understand what is happening in that particular photo. They can also add to the humor or sentimental value of the video. Not every picture should have a caption; for the most part the photos should be able to speak for themselves. Your audience may not enjoy the slideshow as much with too many captions. But in certain circumstances such as creating a slideshow for a loved one who is away serving in the military – captions can be quite effective. Ask a Sands of Time Multimedia Creations consultant for their expertise in this area.

7. Choose Your Music Carefully – Hollywood producers will tell you that the right or wrong music can make or break a movie production. Choose the music according to the feeling you want to give your audience. Happy, sentimental, funny, nostalgic…. it’s all in the music. Choose music that means something to you or the person you are creating the slideshow for. Check the length of the music to the number of photos you want to use and the type of slideshow you are choosing. Sands Of Time Multimedia Creations can help you with this process.

8. Add Video Clips – Adding short video clips to your slideshow can help break up the slideshow and 10 – 30 second video clips can enhance any slideshow.

View a sample of a Sands of Time slideshow with an added video clip: http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/samples/wedding.htm

9. Use Voiceovers – This can add a sentimental touch to any slideshow. This can be done using a video camera, or with some digital cameras that take video. Just be sure to tell your slideshow company that you just want to use the voice, not the video.

View a sample of a Sands of Time slideshow with a voiceover http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/samples/star.htm

10. View Samples, Choose Your Slideshow Company, and Place Your Order –There are several slideshow companies out there to choose from, so how do you know which one is for you? Always view the online samples. If you are looking for the simple fade-in, fade-out slideshow, any slideshow company can do that. If you want the Ken Burn’s effect with the pan and zoom this is very nice and some slideshow companies can do that. However, to narrow your search even more look for unique and creative slideshows. Very, very few slideshows can do this. Sands of Time Multimedia Creations is highly creative and extremely unique. Combining the Ken Burns effects with creative elements, scenery, and backgrounds make them a most highly desired slideshow creating company and they work on a first come first serve basis, so if creativity is what you are going for, be sure to call Sands of Time Multimedia Creations as soon as possible as to avoid being turned down or placed on a waiting list.

View our samples now and experience the difference! http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/index-1.html

11. Back up your photos. Are you sending film photos? Make sure you have copies of your photos or the negatives. Sending scanned photos on disc? Make sure you have a copy. Sending videos – make a copy. Although lost mail is rare, slideshow companies are not responsible for what happens to your photos while in the mail. And unless you have a back-up, photos are irreplaceable.

12. When packaging your photos place them in Ziploc baggies. This will protect them from any possible water damage and also works great for separating your photos chronologically. You should also place your discs or videos in Ziploc baggies. And always insure your package. Although lost or damaged mail is a rare occurrence, it’s always best to be prepared. And always opt for priority mailing services. The less time in the mail – the better.

This is where your professional slideshow production company now takes over. They will be in constant communication with you and you will have a good idea as when to expect your slideshow to be finished. Sands of Time Multimedia Creations slideshow creators work closely with you to help you receive the ultimate video slideshow production.

About The Author

Sandra Clukey, lead slideshow creator for Sands of Time Multimedia Creations, has years of experience and an intense passion for turning still pictures into beautiful, sentimental slideshow video albums for people everywhere! http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/. View some of her samples: http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/index-1.html and experience the difference!