This LOVE YOUR PHOTOS MONTH personalized photo guidance program is for folks who are ready to commit.

You can book a time for either  March or April Once you’ve purchased, I’ll contact you with possible dates. 

This is not a course, a group, or a generic checklist. It’s a one-on-one support package where I work directly with you to bring order, clarity, and confidence to your photo collection—whether that means identifying faces, determining what to scan, sharing photos on collaborative platforms, or making sense of digital chaos.

This is for you:

• For decades, I have helped families preserve their photo history. If you have ever thought, “I just wish someone could walk me through this,” this is your chance.
• Frustrated trying to find answers on my own
• I do better when someone offers me step-by-step support
• I’ve spent too much time trying to find an answer
• I’d love some help creating holiday photo gifts

Typically, personalized services like this cost $600 plus, especially with a detailed written plan and ongoing support included. For this holiday season, I’m offering a holiday special of  $299. ($301 savings).

Here’s what’s included:

• A 60-minute one-on-one consultation. ($300 value)
• A personalized action plan based on your goals, collection, and comfort level. ($300.)
• One week of direct email support for any questions that come up afterwards

This holiday special won’t be offered again this year

Why  Work with Me

• • Whatever your platform: Google Photos, Apple Photos, Forever, MyHeritage, Dropbox, Ancestry.com, an external hard drive, or none at all, I can help you streamline your process.
  • Photo identification is my passion. I can help you put names with those mysterious faces. We’ll go over tools to assist you as well.
  • Sharing family photos is something I love to do with my own family. There are so many ways to do that–websites, apps, and photo-related gifts, too.

If you need to cancel, please do so within 48 hours.

Tell me about what you’d like to accomplish 

The post 2026 Work One On One With Maureen appeared first on Maureen Taylor.

When I meet new people, invariably, the conversation turns to work. When I mention that I’m known as the Photo Detective, a puzzled look is the response.

“What do you do?”

I explain.

Your grandmother (or other relative) gives you a box of family photos some with names and others unlabeled. I help you tell the story of your family using those pictures. It’s the connection between pictures and family history that can reveal clues hidden in plain sight. 

I usually share this simple message about pictures and stories. See the picture. Study the clues. Insert the family history. Tell the story.

I’ve been told by those watching that it looks like magic! Unfortunately, it isn’t.

It’s a lifetime of picture knowledge and decades of family history expertise.

Pictures are my passion, and history my hobby.

Together they make Family Photo Investigations!

If you have a single photo or a box-load of unidentified images, I would love to help you unravel your photo mysteries and family genealogy!
 

Family Photo Investigations

For years I’ve used “consultation” as a one-word descriptor for private meetings with clients to discuss their mystery pictures. In fact, these consultations are a lot more than a conversation. They’re part photo analysis and part forensic family history, thus a photo investigation. 

Knowing what questions to ask and how to utilize forensic techniques means that I’m extremely well-suited for solving these mysteries. And I love helping clients to solve their mysteries!

Picture interpretation and analysis consist of more than costume clues and photographer’s evidence.

Here’s why:

Photo sessions almost always include my suggestions about other types of research avenues worth considering. Picture evidence often extends into unexplored family history.  I’ll provide real details and concrete suggestions to push your genealogical research forward.

Frankly, I never know where a session is going to go.  It depends on the pictures. The pictures drive the inquiry. The clues of who, what, when, and where direct our research. The answers to those questions may add up to reveal why your ancestors posed for that picture.

Why sign up for a photo investigation session?

Those fifteen minutes can change your research. Literally. Here are stories from my client files.

• Your grandmother told you who was in a picture, BUT the picture clues add up differently. Suddenly you realize that picture is of a great-great-grandparent you don’t know, and it was taken overseas! I’ll discuss the clues and action steps for finding out new information.
• A cousin told you that the family photo they found online is definitely a certain relative. The evidence suggests otherwise. Life dates for that relative don’t add up to the photo evidence. I’ll double-check your research, study the photo and provide guidance on who might be depicted.
• The box of pictures you inherited came from your mother, but what side of the family posed for all these pictures, and who are they? We’ll work on them one by one.
• The pictures are just the beginning. Learn more here. More in-depth coaching is available by request. (If you have more than three pictures, ask about my discount package.)

You Pick When and How We Meet

You pick a time slot that works for your schedule on my website, AND every consultation is recorded. 

Zoom: We chat via Zoom, and Maureen shares her screen for a more in-depth photo investigation. These sessions will be recorded – however – it is the client’s responsibility to download and store the recording.

The Cost

• One image: $45  (Wednesday mornings)
• Up to Three images: (Save $26) $99  (Friday mornings) 
• Custom discount: Depends on the number of images. Email for details. 
• Can’t meet on a Wednesday or Friday? Email Maureen.

Not available on a Wednesday or Friday, email Maureen at photodetective@maureentaylor.com. 

Want to offer this to your friends or organization as a Photo Detective Roadshow email Maureen at photodetective@maureentaylor.com 

How It Works

Once I receive your images, I’ll start the research using my entire library of resources plus my 40 years of experience.

As part of your consultation, I often make suggestions about further research. While it’s possible to date a picture, there is always information not known about the people, places, or family connections. It’s necessary to track down that missing information to tell the story of the image.

We will discuss the photo problems and a list of additional questions that need answers. I often share a list of people and resources to help.  Together we’ll develop a research plan.

“The combination of Maureen’s photo identification expertise and genealogy experience make her a valuable resource. Add to this her enthusiasm to help and it makes working with her a pleasure.”

– Joe Chabot, Waltham, Massachusetts

I’d love to help you solve your photo mysteries.

As a former curator and a photo-focused genealogist, there are people I’ve met who might have that one bit of information you need to answer a question. As a family historian and former reference librarian that works on photos from all over the world, it’s necessary for me to know how to dig up data. A colleague once called me a creative problem solver.

About Maureen

I love photos! That’s no secret. I’ve spent my career looking at family pictures and studying their details. Each one is a piece of your genealogical story. I’ve never met a picture I didn’t love. They are all special in their own way. I’ve been recognized for my expertise by the New York Times, Better Homes and Gardens, The Boston Globe, and The Wall Street Journal, who claimed I was the “nation’s foremost historical photo detective.” I’ve written or contributed to more than 30 books. When I tell you that photographs are my passion, I have proof.

FAQs

Do I need to take notes?

All consults are recorded. Single photo consults are audio only. Consults of three or more images can be shared via video call. Maureen uses Zoom.

Can another relative join me?

Absolutely!  You can share your confirmation information with them. I suggest it not be more than 2 other people live on the call though. 

Can I share a consult?

Yes, as long as you’ve worked out how to split the time. It is o.k for you and another relative/friend to sign up for a consult. 

What Do I Need?

On the day of the consult, be ready to discuss your family history with group sheets or your genealogy software.  

What equipment do I need?

A phone for the call (you’ll be provided with a call-in number) or a stable internet connection for video calls (you’ll be sent a link).  Since during video calls, you’ll be chatting face to face, a webcam is a bonus. 

What about international images?

Maureen has expertise working with images taken around the world. 

Will I be able to ask questions?

Absolutely!  Questions are encouraged.

The post Family Photo Investigation Options appeared first on Maureen Taylor.

For years I’ve used “consultation” as a one-word descriptor for private meetings with clients to discuss their mystery pictures. In fact, these consultations are a lot more than a conversation. They’re part photo analysis and part forensic family history, thus a photo investigation. 

Knowing what questions to ask and how to utilize forensic techniques means that I’m extremely well-suited for solving these mysteries. And I love helping clients to solve their mysteries!

Picture interpretation and analysis consist of more than costume clues and photographer’s evidence.

There are a few next steps before I can begin.

Next Steps 

• Upload your image to this form.
• Please include a description of what you know about the photo and what you hope to find out. 
• Pick a time to meet. If Wednesday’s don’t work with your schedule. Sign up for a time and email Maureen about the conflict. You’ll be able to pick a different day and time All appointments are in Eastern U.S. time.
• If you want to send Maureen a photo for comparison or the back of an image, please email them to her
• Email me a link to your online tree if you have one. 
• I like to see the back of the image as well if there is additional information on it. The front and back of the same image count as one picture. It’s best if you email the scans of the back to me directly rather than use the uploader.

Once I receive your image, I’ll start on the research using my entire library of resources plus my years of experience. Each consult is 15-minutes long and is recorded. You’ll be able to download the recording. It is your responsibility to do so. . This doesn’t include time spent analyzing your photo before we meet.  If you want to include the back of photos because of markings or notes written on them in addition to the image itself, that will count as one photo. Email me the back at photodetective@maureentaylor.com

You will receive a confirmation email about your appointment.  Check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive this confirmation. 

Maureen will send you a Zoom link the day before the appointment. If you need to cancel, please do so within 48 hours.

The post Single-Family Photo Investigation appeared first on Maureen Taylor.

For years I’ve used “consultation” as a one-word descriptor for private meetings with clients to discuss their mystery pictures. In fact, these consultations are a lot more than a conversation. They’re part photo analysis and part forensic family history, thus a photo investigation. 

Knowing what questions to ask and how to utilize forensic techniques means that I’m extremely well-suited for solving these mysteries. And I love helping clients to solve their mysteries!

Picture interpretation and analysis consist of more than costume clues and photographer’s evidence.

Next Steps 

• Upload your image to this form.
• Please include a description of what you know about the photo and what you hope to find out.  Please refer to your images by file name or number. 
• Pick a time to meet. If Fridays don’t work with your schedule. Sign up for a time and email Maureen about the conflict. You’ll be able to pick a different day and time.  All appointments are in Eastern U.S. time. 
• If you want to send Maureen a photo for comparison or the back of an image, please email them to her
• Email me a link to your online tree if you have one. 
• I also like to see the back of the image if there is additional information on it. The front and back of the same image count as one picture. It’s best if you email the scans of the back to me directly rather than using the uploader.

Once I receive your image, I’ll start on the research using my entire library of resources plus my years of experience. 

Each consult is 15 minutes long and is recorded. You’ll be able to download the recording. It is your responsibility to do so. 

You will receive a confirmation email about your appointment.  Check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive this confirmation. 

Maureen will send you a Zoom link the day before the appointment. If you need to cancel, please do so within 48 hours.

The post 3 Family Photo Investigation appeared first on Maureen Taylor.