Then vs Now: How to Collect and Display Class Reunion Photos

The Photo Display Everyone Talks About

At every class reunion, there's a moment when someone spots the then-and-now photo board and stops dead in their tracks. They stare at their senior picture next to their current self and laugh, groan, or get misty-eyed. Then they call over their friends. "Come look at this. Come look at Brian. Oh my God, look at my hair."

The then-and-now photo display is consistently the most-visited, most-talked-about, most-photographed element of any reunion. It works at every milestone - 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years. It costs almost nothing. And it creates more genuine reactions than anything else you can plan.

Here's how to do it well.

Collecting the "Then" Photos

The "then" photos are usually senior yearbook portraits, but they don't have to be. You can also use candid photos from high school - prom, sports, theater, hanging out in the parking lot. A mix of formal and candid photos makes the display more interesting.

Your yearbook is your primary source. Scan individual senior portraits from the yearbook. Most classes have at least a few people who still have their yearbook and will let you borrow it for scanning. If you can get a digital copy from the school or alumni association, even better.

Tips for scanning:

• Scan at 300 DPI minimum for print displays, 72 DPI is fine for digital only
• Crop each photo to a consistent size
• Don't worry about perfect quality - slightly grainy photos from the 80s and 90s are part of the charm
• Label each file with the person's name so you can match them later

Crowdsource candid photos. Post in your class Facebook group asking for high school-era photos. You'll get prom pictures, sports photos, candid hallway shots, and embarrassing moments that are pure gold. Create a shared Google Drive or Dropbox folder where people can upload directly.

The candids are what make a display special. Anyone can scan a yearbook photo. The candid of five friends crammed into a car, the backstage theater shot, the homecoming parade float - these are the photos that trigger real memories.

Collecting the "Now" Photos

Getting current photos from classmates is harder than you'd expect. People are self-conscious. They'll procrastinate. They'll send their worst selfie at the last minute. Plan accordingly.

Start collecting early. Ask for current photos at least 3 months before the reunion. Include the request in your invitation and registration form.

Make it easy. Let people text, email, or upload their photo through a form. Don't require a specific format or size - you can resize everything later. The fewer barriers, the more submissions you'll get.

Give guidelines, not requirements. Suggest a headshot or upper-body photo, natural lighting, smiling. But accept whatever people send. A slightly off-center selfie is better than no photo at all.

Follow up persistently. Most people won't send their photo after the first ask. Send reminders at 2 months, 1 month, and 2 weeks out. Make it a fun challenge: "We have 67 out of 120 photos - who's next?"

Have a backup plan. For classmates who don't submit a current photo, use their most recent social media profile picture (with permission) or leave a "photo coming at the reunion" placeholder. You can also set up a photo station at the event to capture anyone who didn't submit in advance.

Creating a Physical Display

A printed display board is the most impactful way to show then-and-now photos. Here's how:

Layout: Print each classmate's senior photo and current photo side by side, separated by an arrow or the text "Then / Now." Label each pair with the person's name (include maiden name if applicable). Arrange alphabetically or in rows that match the yearbook layout.

Size: 4x6 prints for each photo work well. For larger classes, you might need to go smaller (3x4 or wallet-size) to fit everyone on your boards.

Boards: Foam core boards from any office supply store work perfectly. Mount photos with double-sided tape or photo corners. You'll need one board per 15-20 pairs of photos, depending on size.

Display: Set up the boards on easels near the entrance or in a high-traffic area. People should be able to see the display as they walk in - it's the perfect conversation starter while people are still arriving and feeling awkward.

Cost: Printing 200 photos at a drugstore costs roughly $30-50. Foam core boards and easels add another $30-50. Total investment: under $100 for one of the best elements of your entire event.

Creating a Digital Display

If you prefer a digital format - or want both - here's how to create a slideshow display:

Build a slideshow. Use Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Canva to create a presentation. Each slide shows one classmate's then-and-now photos with their name. Set it to auto-advance every 5-8 seconds.

Add music. Export the slideshow as a video with a soundtrack of songs from your graduation year. This combination of visual nostalgia and musical nostalgia is incredibly powerful.

Display it on a loop. Rent or bring a large TV or projector and run the slideshow continuously throughout the event. Position it where people can watch casually - near the bar or food area works well.

Include more than portraits. Intersperse the then-and-now photos with group shots, candids, yearbook pages, and snapshots of your school, town, and era. A shot of the school building, the local hangout spot, or a popular car from that decade adds context and triggers additional memories.

The Photo Station at the Event

Set up a simple photo station at the reunion itself. This serves multiple purposes:

• Captures current photos of people who didn't submit in advance
• Creates fun group photos throughout the evening
• Gives people a reason to mingle near the station and spark conversations

You don't need a professional setup. A well-lit corner with a simple backdrop (even a solid-colored curtain), a tripod, and a decent phone camera works fine. Add a few props if you want - vintage items from your era, silly signs, or old school memorabilia.

A photo booth with printed strips is also a great option. Rental companies can set up and operate a booth for $300-500 for 3-4 hours, and the printed strips become instant keepsakes.

Creative Variations

Beyond the basic then-and-now display, here are some creative ideas:

Guess who: Display only the senior photos without names and challenge attendees to identify everyone. Keep an answer key nearby for when people get stuck. This is surprisingly fun and gets people talking.

Superlative matchup: Pull the "Most Likely To" superlatives from your yearbook and display them alongside what the person actually ended up doing. The person voted "Most Likely to Succeed" who became a yoga instructor. The "Class Clown" who became an accountant. These contrasts are endlessly entertaining.

Decade snapshots: For milestone reunions (30+), ask people to submit photos from different decades - 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s - showing how they've changed over time, not just then and now but the whole journey.

Family photos: Include a section where classmates can display family photos - their kids, their pets, their homes. This gives people conversation starters beyond "what do you do for work?"

Memory map: Create a large map of your town and let people pin where they live now. This visual representation of how far the class has spread is always fascinating.

After the Reunion

The photos don't have to disappear when the event ends. Share them digitally so everyone can enjoy them afterward:

• Upload the full slideshow to YouTube as an unlisted video and share the link with your class
• Create a shared album on Google Photos or a similar platform
• Post highlights in your class Facebook group
• Include event photos in your post-reunion thank-you message

The photos from your reunion will be shared, saved, and revisited for years. They're how absent classmates experience the event, how attendees relive it, and how the class preserves its collective memory.

Grove makes photo collection and sharing seamless - classmates can upload their then-and-now photos directly to your class page, browse the full gallery, and relive the reunion long after the night ends.