Here is our guide to online team photo albums.
We put this guide together after running tens years worth of activities that bring remote teams closer together.
Online team photo albums involve collaboratively curating and sharing memorable photos that represent the collective experiences and achievements of the team. This activity fosters nostalgia, strengthens team cohesion, and promotes a sense of belonging as participants reminisce about shared moments and celebrate their journey together.
Ideal group size:
6 to 15 players
Activity duration:
30 to 45 minutes
Cost:
Free
What you’ll need:
- Video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet) with screen-sharing capabilities
- Digital photo albums or galleries (e.g., Google Photos, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive) for sharing and organizing photos
How to do it:
Step 1: Introduce the Activity
To begin, explain the objective of the online team photo album. The goal is to create a shared collection of photos that capture memorable moments and experiences shared by the team.
Step 2: Collect Photos
Each team member can gather a selection of photos that represent significant events, achievements, or team bonding activities.
Step 3: Share Photos
Each team member can share their photos via screen sharing on the video conferencing platform. Participants can provide context or anecdotes for each photo they share.
Step 4: Organize Photos
Collaboratively organize the shared photos into categories or themes, such as team outings, milestones, or memorable moments.
Step 5: Create a Digital Album
Using a digital photo album or gallery platform, compile the shared photos into a cohesive online team photo album. Team members can take on roles such as “organizer” or “editor” to streamline the process.
Step 6: Customize and Personalize
Team members can add captions, comments, or annotations to the photos to provide context and enhance the storytelling aspect of the album.
Step 7: Review and Finalize
After adding pictures to the folder, take time to review the completed photo album as a team. It is important to ensure that all members are satisfied with the selection and organization of photos.
Step 8: Share the Album
Finally, distribute the link to the completed online team photo album to all team members. Workers can revisit and reminisce about shared memories at their leisure.
Examples of games or activities:
1. Memory Lane Slideshow
Teams create a slideshow of nostalgic photos capturing memorable moments and milestones, reminiscing together about their journey as a team.
- Each team member selects 3 to 5 photos representing significant events or experiences shared with the team.
- Share the photos via screen sharing during a virtual meeting, with each team member briefly explaining the significance of their chosen photos.
- Designate one team member to compile the shared photos into a slideshow presentation using presentation software.
- Add captions or anecdotes to each photo to provide context and enhance storytelling.
- Share the completed slideshow with the team, allowing team members to revisit and celebrate their collective memories.
Tip: Participants can select a diverse range of photos that capture both professional achievements and personal moments to create a comprehensive memory lane.
2. Team Photo Scavenger Hunt
Teams embark on a virtual scavenger hunt to find and share specific types of photos that represent various aspects of team culture and identity.
- Provide teams with a list of photo prompts or themes related to team values, traditions, or inside jokes.
- Set a time limit for teams to search for and capture photos that align with each prompt using their personal photo collections or online sources.
- Teams share their photo findings with the group via screen sharing, explaining the relevance of each photo to the given prompt.
- Encourage teams to get creative and think outside the box when interpreting the photo prompts.
- Reflect as a group on the photos shared, discussing common themes, unique insights, and shared experiences that emerged during the scavenger hunt.
Tip: Provide a mix of broad and specific prompts to encourage a diverse range of photo submissions and foster creativity among participants.
3. Photo Storytelling Relay
Teams collaborate to create a sequential storytelling experience using a series of photos shared in a relay-style format.
- Divide participants into teams and designate a starting team for each round.
- Share a photo with the starting team, who must then craft a short story inspired by the image.
- After a set time limit, the starting team shares its story and the original photo with the next team in the relay.
- The receiving team interprets the story and selects a new photo to continue the narrative, adding their own twist to the storyline.
- Repeat this process for several rounds, with each team building upon the story and photos shared by the previous team.
- Conclude by reading aloud the collaborative story created by all teams, highlighting the creativity and teamwork involved.
Tip: Encourage teams to maintain consistency in tone and style to ensure a cohesive storytelling experience throughout the relay.
Tips:
- Establish Clear Guidelines: To ensure consistency and cohesion in the photo album, set clear expectations for photo submissions, including themes, file formats, and deadlines.
- Encourage Diversity: Encourage team members to share various photos capturing different aspects of team life, from work-related milestones to social events and team outings.
- Foster Collaboration: Use collaborative platforms or folders where team members can contribute and comment on photos, fostering a sense of teamwork and inclusivity.
- Provide Context: Encourage team members to include captions or descriptions with their photos to provide context and enhance storytelling within the photo album.
- Ensure Privacy and Consent: Respect the privacy of team members by obtaining consent before sharing personal or sensitive photos in the online team photo album.
- Celebrate Achievements: Highlight team achievements and milestones by including photos that showcase successful projects, awards, or significant moments in the team’s history.
- Reflect and Appreciate: Take time as a team to reflect on the shared memories and experiences captured in the photo album, fostering gratitude and appreciation for each other’s contributions.
Final Thoughts
Creating an online team photo album is more than just sharing pictures. This exercise is a journey of connection, collaboration, and celebration of shared experiences. These photo albums can strengthen bonds, boost morale, and foster a sense of belonging within remote teams.
Want more ideas? Check out our post on virtual team building activities.
