How to collect everyone's school formal photos

1. Choose who will look after the photos

For a school-run event, agree the plan with the year coordinator or formal committee before sending an upload link. Choose a school-approved organiser and storage account, and decide who can access the finished collection.

• □Give one person responsibility for the album and a second person the reminder task.
• □Decide whether you're collecting for a private keepsake, a yearbook or another agreed purpose.
• □Follow your school's photo and consent arrangements. Uploading a photo isn't permission to publish it publicly.

2. Set up and test before the night

In LazyAlbum, name the formal and connect the organiser's Google Drive or Dropbox. Guests can upload in their browser without an app or account. Photo and video collection costs nothing; your connected storage needs enough room.

• □Scan the actual printed QR code with a different phone.
• □Upload a photo and a short video, then check both arrive in the organiser's folder.
• □Try mobile data as well as the venue Wi-Fi. Ask the venue about reception.
• □Keep a short written album link beside the code for anyone who can't scan it.

3. Put the invitation where people pause

A QR code works better when people understand what it is for. Use a short line such as 'Got a good photo? Add it to our formal album.'

• □Put cards on tables and near the photo wall, with the venue's permission.
• □Include a tappable link in the parent or student message before the event.
• □Ask the MC for one friendly reminder between activities.
• □Check lighting and scanning distance on the night; keep the white border around the code.

4. Give guests a few photo ideas

A small challenge can help capture more than posed portraits. Try a getting-ready detail, your whole table and a friend making everyone laugh. Our formal challenge has nine prompts you can print or customise. Everything is optional: ask before photographing people and let anyone sit a prompt out.

5. Send one reminder, then review

People often have their best photos the next morning. Send the link once more, thank everyone and ask for originals where possible. The organiser should review the collection before sharing it more widely. By default, LazyAlbum collects into the host's storage; a guest-facing gallery is an optional extra, so don't promise everyone an automatic gallery.

• □Remove accidental duplicates and honour requests to remove a photo.
• □Share only with the audience agreed by your school or committee.
• □Keep an organised copy for the agreed purpose and follow the school's retention arrangements.