Photos

[Remrov]

Hello everybody,

Well, I almost have my whole application together. But I"m still working on our personal photos. I"m making word document with our photos and right under every photo I type, where who what and when.
But....
Is it also neccesary to add pictures of the suroundings where we've been with daytrips etc (no people on it). Or do we only have to add pictures of my boyfriend and me, and family etc?

And another question:
Our social network is extremely small, so we practicly only have pictures of my boyfriend and me together. And in most of the cases I was the one holding the camera, and it's just our two faces in the picture. So we don't have pictures of us just socializing with family or something. Is this a problem?

 

[Mrslwsn]

We had a lot of pictures where it was just the 2 of us. I dont think scenery is necessary. That doesnt add any proof to the genuine nature of the relationship in my opinion.

 

[Remrov]

Okay, I already thought that scenery pictures wouldn't really be important.
Thank you for your respons!!

 

[podkayne8]

Hello everybody,

Well, I almost have my whole application together. But I"m still working on our personal photos. I"m making word document with our photos and right under every photo I type, where who what and when.
But....
Is it also neccesary to add pictures of the suroundings where we've been with daytrips etc (no people on it). Or do we only have to add pictures of my boyfriend and me, and family etc?

And another question:
Our social network is extremely small, so we practicly only have pictures of my boyfriend and me together. And in most of the cases I was the one holding the camera, and it's just our two faces in the picture. So we don't have pictures of us just socializing with family or something. Is this a problem?

I agree as well i dont think scenery pics are important. I think it is more important to include pictures with each other and any family and friends you have been around.

 

[Sweden]

Hello remrov,

it might seem obvious, but just in case - just make sure that on the top of each page, you reference the document - name of the applicant, and if it refers to a specific question> name of the form, which question, and how many pages you are including in total (1/5; 2/5; 3/5 etc...) - just to make sure that it's as easy and readable as possible for CIC.

I don't think it will be a problem if it is only you in the picture - if you have some with your family, then try to include them.

If you decide to write a "timeline" of your relationship, then you can also make reference to the pictures taken (if you remember where and when).

I'm sure you'll be fine! good luck with putting everything together - you're almost there!
Sweden

 

[Remrov]

Thanks a lot for all your responses.

I didn't add my name yet on every page. I'll do that.
Under every picture I wrote, typed, who are in the picture and where it was taken. Sometimes I don't exactly remember the date, but when I do I add the date also.

Thanks for all your help

 

[Mrslwsn]

I wouldn't be too concerned with how fancy or specific the pictures are...I just printed a whole bunch and wrote in pen on back and we had no issues.

 

[KJG]

I wouldn't be too concerned with how fancy or specific the pictures are...I just printed a whole bunch and wrote in pen on back and we had no issues.

I just printed them out and sorted them into envelopes.....did not write on the back at all.....

 

[Fencesitter]

Hello everybody,

Well, I almost have my whole application together. But I"m still working on our personal photos. I"m making word document with our photos and right under every photo I type, where who what and when.
But....

I did the same thing. At the top of the first page of each set I wrote a brief description, noting the date and other info. Under each picture I noted who, where, and when.

Something like this:

"The following are pictures from our second trip to Thailand (January 2009). We travelled to Bangkok, Pattaya, Ayutthaya, and Chang Island. Please reference our AirAsia invoice (XXXXX)."

Then under each picture, something like this:

"This picture was taken on the airplane going from Macau to Thailand
From left to right: Mrs. FS and FS
This picture was taken by FS"

Other captions included specific dates...but all sets of pictures were prefaced with an opening sentence or two at the top of the first page outlining the date and other pertinent info...

I didn't bother specifically referencing to our timeline. In some cases I did, but I figure they can easily reference by looking at the timeline and comparing to the various sets of pictures we included (160 in total!!).

I know the visa officers are super busy, but I think they will figure it out just fine...they're not that incompetent, if at all...

FS

 

[Mrslwsn]

;D I put mine in ziploc sandwich baggies, and got them back in the same baggies.

 

[rachiy]

I was recently told by an immigration consultant, to try to limit photos to around 30. These should be spread out over the period of your relationship and photos that include family and friends are ideal.
I am in a similar situation where most of the photos are just me and my partner, with one of us holding the camera. However, as the photos show different haircuts, summer clothes, winter clothes, at concerts, camp sites etc this helps to prove that we didn't just get a few different outfits and do a big photo shoot to fake it.
The only time I included a photo that didn't have both of us in it was photos of each of us carving halloween pumpkins separately (one held the camera, the other smiled and then we switched) and also one with my partner and my parents but not me. I had a few where it was just scenery so you could tell where we were but was told to exclude these.

For each photo you should write where you are, when the photo was taken, who is in it, and what you are doing.
For example, I had a photo of the two of us, plus my brother at a hockey game in Calgary. On the back I wrote, "Calgary Flames hockey game at the Saddledome stadium. XXXme, XXXhim, and XXX (XXme's brother). Calgary, AB. XX January 2010.

Keep it simple so the VO can get an idea of what you are doing, but do not give them more than one photo of the same thing.

 

[Steph C]

;D I put mine in ziploc sandwich baggies, and got them back in the same baggies.

That would be funny if they returned sandwiches

 

[Fencesitter]

I was recently told by an immigration consultant, to try to limit photos to around 30. These should be spread out over the period of your relationship and photos that include family and friends are ideal.
I am in a similar situation where most of the photos are just me and my partner, with one of us holding the camera. However, as the photos show different haircuts, summer clothes, winter clothes, at concerts, camp sites etc this helps to prove that we didn't just get a few different outfits and do a big photo shoot to fake it.
The only time I included a photo that didn't have both of us in it was photos of each of us carving halloween pumpkins separately (one held the camera, the other smiled and then we switched) and also one with my partner and my parents but not me. I had a few where it was just scenery so you could tell where we were but was told to exclude these.

For each photo you should write where you are, when the photo was taken, who is in it, and what you are doing.
For example, I had a photo of the two of us, plus my brother at a hockey game in Calgary. On the back I wrote, "Calgary Flames hockey game at the Saddledome stadium. XXXme, XXXhim, and XXX (XXme's brother). Calgary, AB. XX January 2010.

Keep it simple so the VO can get an idea of what you are doing, but do not give them more than one photo of the same thing.

I don't see how it would matter if you submitted 30 or 100. Yes, it won't take as long for the VO to go through the photos, but relationships that have lasted for years need more than just 30 to show a true picture of the relationship, at least in my opinion. I'm always weary of what immigration consultants say, as so many have no clue what they are talking about. Consultants are not needed. The only time you may need help is if you are going through an appeal...but that would be with a lawyer...and I'm extremely weary of lawyers...

Send as many photos as you want...quality over quantity, but pictures say a thousand words...so if you've been in a relationship for years, send them as much as you can to make sure they see the truth...

We sent 160 pictures...we could have sent more...they're very well organized and even an idiot would be able to see that the pictures show a true relationship. We went back to the beginning (2005) up to the present (2012). The only problem I see is a slight delay...but I really doubt that will happen.

FS

 

[KJG]

I don't see how it would matter if you submitted 30 or 100. Yes, it won't take as long for the VO to go through the photos, but relationships that have lasted for years need more than just 30 to show a true picture of the relationship, at least in my opinion. I'm always weary of what immigration consultants say, as so many have no clue what they are talking about. Consultants are not needed. The only time you may need help is if you are going through an appeal...but that would be with a lawyer...and I'm extremely weary of lawyers...

Send as many photos as you want...quality over quantity, but pictures say a thousand words...so if you've been in a relationship for years, send them as much as you can to make sure they see the truth...

We sent 160 pictures...we could have sent more...they're very well organized and even an idiot would be able to see that the pictures show a true relationship. We went back to the beginning (2005) up to the present (2012). The only problem I see is a slight delay...but I really doubt that will happen.

FS

I agree totally with FS on this.....you need to send in as many as you fee comfortable with that portrays your relationship as true and genuine.......be very very careful of any consultant.......each case is unique.....I alone sent 30 pictures of our wedding day.....

 

[rachiy]

I should have clarified that the 30 photos related to my situation and a relationship of less than three years and no wedding. Therefore most of our photos were just us doing something/being somewhere. I totally agree that when you get wedding photos and a relationship of seven years then you are going to have many more quality photos.

I did mention to the consultant (and another lawyer who my employer had used previously) that some posters on here had mentioned sending in 200-300 photos, and was my 50 or so enough. They both said, on separate occasions, that 300 was way too many, the VO is looking for quality not quantity and they don't want to spend all day looking at photos of the same thing if they could look at half that amount and still get a clear picture of the relationship. That being said, if you are separated and do not have a joint lease and utilities etc, then photos of when you are together during visits are going to carry more weight than for those who can prove they are living together and have more documentation from other sources.

I also agree that most consultants/lawyers are not necessary, I have been totally screwed by an incompetent consultant "forgetting" to send in an application yet still being able to confirm with me that she did. I had no status here for several months and had no idea that was the case. I am extremely picky about who I would use now, and only went through a lawyer and consultant because my employer was footing the bill to get my work permits. Both of these people were very experienced, and I knew of others who used them with great results.