How To Capture Authentic Stories With Living Memories

Hello, lovely. It’s your gal Andie,

And I have a question for you:

If your great-grandchild could sit across from you, right now, and ask,"What was your childhood like?""What was the proudest moment of your life?""What do you hope I remember about you?" …what would you say?

That, dear reader, is the soul of a Living Memories interview. And before you worry with things like: “But I’m not great on camera,” or “I wouldn’t know where to begin,”, let me gently stop you there. Because this isn’t a performance. It’s not a job interview or a speech or anything remotely stiff.

It’s simply this: a conversation, filled with heart, recorded so it lives on forever. If you’re thinking about recording your story — or encouraging a loved one to do so — this guide will walk you through what it’s really like. And instead of just throwing facts at you, I’m going to share the journeys of three beautiful souls: Larry, John, and Ann, each with a different story, and each offering a little insight into the art (and joy) of capturing your legacy on camera.

Let’s begin, shall we?

Memory Lane Is Just the Beginning 🌱

When we met Larry, he was humble to a fault. "I don’t know that I have much to say," he chuckled during his pre-interview call, rubbing the back of his neck like a man trying to downplay the value of a life well-lived. But we had a feeling, so we encouraged him to start small. We gave him a questionnaire, not to pressure him, but to jog his memory.

Questions like:

• What do you remember about your childhood home?

• Did you have a favorite toy, a hiding place, a summer tradition?

• What was your mother’s laugh like?

And that’s when it started.

Larry showed up on interview day with a few simple stories in his back pocket, tales of running barefoot in the summer, helping his father plant tomatoes, sneaking candy with his brothers from the general store. But once the camera rolled and his voice found its rhythm, something magical happened: he couldn’t stop smiling.

With every memory shared, more surfaced — as if the act of remembering opened a treasure chest he hadn’t lifted in years. He laughed. He paused. He cried. And in the middle of it all, he said something we’ll never forget: "I didn’t know I remembered all this. Thank you."

What Larry teaches us:

• Start with the small stuff. The memories you think are "ordinary" often turn out to be the most cherished.

• The questionnaire is your friend. It helps you organize your thoughts and prime your heart for storytelling.

• Once you begin, your stories will come. Trust the process — your memory lane is wider and deeper than you think.

  
  

Let the Conversation Lead 🎖️

John came into his Living Memories session with laser focus. A World War II veteran in his late 90s, he had one goal:"I want to tell my story. The war years, specifically. I want my grandkids to understand what we saw, and why we did what we did." He was clear, composed, and deeply intentional, even in how he sat: straight-backed, well, as straight backed as he could. He sat with the confidence second only to a press secretary. But here’s the thing about John… despite his structured plan, he was also beautifully open.

We guided him with questions, yes, about the war, but also about:

• The friendships he formed

• The letters he sent home

• The sound of silence between the battles

And in those in-between moments — in the spaces where his voice softened or his gaze drifted just slightly — we found the heart of his story.

He shared how he carried a photo of his wife in his boot. How he held the hand of a fellow soldier during his final breath. How, even now, the smell of engine oil made his chest tighten.

By the end, his planned structure had bloomed into something even deeper: not just facts, but feelings. Not just history, but humanity.

What John teaches us:

• It’s okay to have a focus. If there's a part of your life you want to preserve, start there.

• But don’t be afraid to flow. A great interview is a conversation, not a checklist.

• Your story is made of moments, not just milestones. The smallest memory can be the most powerful.

  
  

Legacy Stories in Her Own Voice 🌳

Ann was the kind of woman who walks into a room and instantly makes it feel more grounded. She wasn’t shy, but rather thoughtful, measured. You could tell she had lived through seasons, and had spent a lifetime absorbing what matters. When we asked what inspired her to do a Living Memories documentary, she said something simple:

"I’ve been working on our family history on and off for the better part of 40 years. I want it to have a heartbeat." and that’s exactly what she brought to her session.

Ann came with names, dates, photos, but more importantly, she came with tone. Her voice. Her perspective. Her warmth.

She told the stories behind the names, who her grandmother was beyond the census records, how her parents met at a during the first world war. Her interview wasn’t a report. It was a love letter to generations to come. By the end, her family genealogy wasn’t just preserved — it was alive.

What Ann teaches us:

• It’s powerful to document your family history in your own words. You give voice to generations.

• Your tone and personality matter. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it.

• You don’t have to be “camera ready” to be unforgettable. Just be yourself.

  
  

🎤 Best Practices From the Interviewer’s Chair

After dozens (and dozens) of Living Memories interviews, we’ve seen the magic unfold in real time. And if you’re preparing to sit down and tell your story, here are the golden nuggets we’ve learned, directly from the other side of the camera.

1. Be Yourself. That’s the point.

We’re not looking for polished. We’re looking for you. The real, beautiful, unfiltered version. Laugh mid-story. Pause to think. Tear up if you need to. It’s all part of the tapestry.

2. Think of it as a conversation, not a performance.

You’ll be talking with someone who’s warm, patient, and there to listen. They’re not a stranger, they’re a bridge to your story. No one expects perfection. We expect presence.

3. Take your time.

This isn’t a timed event. If you need to pause, breathe, or gather your thoughts, do it. The camera isn’t going anywhere (and we’re not in a hurry).

4. Use the questionnaire to guide you.

It’s like a memory warm-up. Think of it as stretching before a beautiful walk down memory lane. Highlight a few questions that stir something in you, and come ready to explore those paths.

5. Let emotions happen.

We’ve seen joy, tears, silence, and laughter, sometimes all in the same story. And all of it is welcome. This is a sacred space.

💛 Why This Matters

Maybe you’ve thought about doing something like this before. Maybe you’ve even said, “One day, I’ll sit down and record my stories.” Friend, that day is now, because here’s the truth: your voice matters. Your experiences matter. And your loved ones — even the ones who aren’t born yet — will treasure the chance to know you beyond photos and stories told secondhand.

With Living Memories, you’re not just leaving behind facts. You’re leaving behind you — your laughter, your inflection, your wisdom. You’re telling the story only you can tell.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re like Larry — starting small and watching the stories bloom,Or like John — focused and ready to share something significant, Or like Ann — tying it all together with grace and heritage, You belong in front of that camera.

We’ll be there to walk you through every moment. No pressure. No rush. Just presence. And story. And legacy.

So come as you are.We’ll help you tell your story in a way only you can.

Here’s to another How-To journey together, forever thankful,Andie 💋