No Pictures

[CHD 0]

Not that I'm anywhere near an interview date, but I'm prone to preparing ridiculously in advance, so here is my issue: I know pictures are one of the major things you're supposed to bring to your interview, but outside of the ones we were forced to sit pretty for at our wedding, my hubby and I have absolutely none together. Okay well there IS one, but he's shielding his face and I have a nervous "oh please don't push that button" expression. I'm afraid that if we suddenly start hamming it up for the camera a year and a half into our marriage in the name of leaving a photographic trail, the result will be either an array of photos with two people looking very uncomfortable, or the CO officer may determine the display to be fake (neither of which are helpful in an interview to determine the validity of our marriage).

The question here is this: should we start trying to build a photo album anyway, or should we be fine with other evidence of our marriage. So far I've compiled our wedding album, travel itineraries for all visits, cards from birthdays, valentines day, and our anniversary, receipts from money he wires me every 2-4 weeks to help with bills, and copies of the 40+ page phone bills showing the frequency and length of our phone calls. Are the recent pictures really necessary?

[Mononoke28 135]

It wouldn't hurt, espcially pictures where other family members are present. I know that during our interview the consul asked to see all kinds of pictures and it was a good thing I brought over 150 of them.

Diana

[sydkym 0]

We brought 3 albums full and they never asked to see any! I think it depends on the country.

[reeses16 8]

I think its a good idea to start taking pics, since its considered strong evidence. I don't think you need a whole lot of photos. We only submitted 5-6 for K1, and 3-4 of our wedding for AOS. I picked photos of us over time. I had different hairstyles, different clothes. When we lift conditions, I will probably send 5 or so photos.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

How about asking fiends and family to take surprise photos when you are not aware of it? They won't look staged

You could also ask your friends and family about photos... I am the photo taker in our family and so am usually behind the camera, so we had very few photos of the two of us as a couple. But I emailed my friends, book club members and family asking for photos and they came up with a surprising array of photos from through the years, and as an added plus usualy included other people in the photos. Many of them not very flattering, but that isn;t impotant in this case

[CHD 0]

How about asking fiends and family to take surprise photos when you are not aware of it? They won't look staged

You could also ask your friends and family about photos... I am the photo taker in our family and so am usually behind the camera, so we had very few photos of the two of us as a couple. But I emailed my friends, book club members and family asking for photos and they came up with a surprising array of photos from through the years, and as an added plus usualy included other people in the photos. Many of them not very flattering, but that isn;t impotant in this case

Ooh, I never thought of that. My sister in law is our shutterbug, so I'm sure she'd have a few of both of us with her kids or something...or at the very least something with us in the background.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Based on the posts I have received, pictures can't really hurt you. They are not conclusive, but one factor.

[nunyab 0]

Why not start adding some now anyway?? Good for memories sake too