Photographing AA Memorabilia for a Private Inventory
A group wants a private record of an old chip, booklet or meeting sign. A photograph of each side can help the next volunteer identify it. The file should tell them where to find the item and what the picture actually shows.
Decide what the camera needs to show
Ask the owner or custodian whether the item can be photographed for the inventory. Explain who will see the files. If it is fragile or mounted, follow the owner’s handling instructions and photograph only what you can reach without moving it. The National Park Service photography guidelines describe practical arrangements for photographing collection material in their setting.
Use diffuse light and a plain background. Take an overall picture and then show the back, the edges or a detail if it helps identify the piece. Keep the camera square to a flat object where possible. If a scale is useful, place a ruler beside it without covering the inscription. Check the photograph at full size before packing the item away.
If the lettering is hard to see, move the light or take a detail from another angle. Keep the original image. Any brightened or cropped copy can be labeled as an edited view so the next person knows which version records the object as photographed.
Connect the images to a record
Give the item a reference that can go in the filename and the inventory. A reference such as 014 can be paired with “front,” “back” and “detail.” Use the same reference on the storage container if the owner agrees. Keep a plain description in the record so the file can be found even when the photo isn’t open.
Separate visible information from what someone remembers. If a token shows a Roman numeral, write that under inscriptions. If someone believes it was given out at a particular meeting, record the source and uncertainty. The history of AA chips can give context for a collection, but a particular object still needs evidence of its own.
If the group has a standing rule for access, record it in its group decision log. Keep locations and identification details in the private inventory where the people handling the collection can consult them.
Check the audience before sharing an image
Look at both sides for initials, inscriptions or notes that identify people. A photo taken for an inventory has a different audience from a public exhibit. Ask about each use. If the group later wants to publish a picture, choose an approved view and check the caption separately.
The display label guide explains how to write about a verified date and acknowledge gaps. If you still need to confirm who owns an object or whether it can be displayed, leave those points open. An orderly filename can help you find the evidence later, but it can’t establish the object’s origin.
Check that the filenames still match the records after copying the pictures into storage. Open a photo at random and find its corresponding description. If you can’t tell which version shows the original item, fix the filename before passing the inventory on.
Medallions to consider
If the inventory includes a current catalog design, document its pictured inscription and record any confirmed date separately.
Both catalog photos show one-year samples. Confirm your choice in the Sobriety Time selector.
Tricolor Enchanted Crimson Topaz Sparkle
Elite crimson design with a stone-set triangle. The selector lists 18 months and annual milestones from 1 to 65 years.
Tricolor Glittering Aqua
Deluxe aqua design with a white triangle. The selector lists 24 hours, 18 months and annual milestones from 1 to 50 years.
Common questions
Does every item need a ruler in the photo?
Use a scale when size helps identify the piece. Keep it to the side and add a separate photo if the inscription needs a close-up.
Can I post an inventory photo publicly?
Check permission for that specific use and review both the image and the description for private details.
Keep reading
Compare designs and milestone options in Elite Medallions and Deluxe Coins.
