Use the highest resolution setting. Digitally photograph all children under the age of 18 every six months indoors using a flash against a solid white or light-colored background.

Photograph children in portrait-style poses, similar to passport headshots.

Photograph children from different angles—profile shots facing left, profile shots facing right, straight-on headshots.

Save the digital images in an easily located folder on the hard drive in JPEG format in both black-and-white and color formats. (Color images can be easily converted to black-and-white images using the software that comes with your camera.)

Back up all digital images on multiple disks or CDs and e-mail copies to other family members to store on their computers.

"Print out multiple 5"x7" hard copies (prints) of all images and store them in a safe folder where they can be easily accessed in the event of an emergency."

Bookmark the NCMEC web site (www.missingkids.com) so that you can quickly access helpful information on what you can do to help locate your child in the event he/she is reported missing.

Use your digital photo printer to create posters, buttons and flyers with your child's portrait.