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Do not start with the heritage photos! I think they are the hardest to scrap even when you are more experienced, and the stress of feeling that you have to do them justice can take a lot of the joy of experimentation out of the process (and stress should not be part of scrapbooking!). I would definately advise starting by scrapping up to date, everyday photos - leave the heritage stuff til later (and don't forget to scan those photos first!).

What a great question! My advice to new scrapbookers, especially those who are perfectionists like me, would be "leave your perfectionism at the craft room door." Scrapbooking is about play and creativity, and trying to be perfect only gums up the creative gears.

my best advice is to just do it...i know, cliche, but true. If I had spent less time thinking, planning and sorting and more time just documenting a memory in any way that feels good...I would have saved myself so much time. Sometimes you just have to push everything aside and go on instinct.

Simple pages let your photos tell the story. My early pages are ...well lets say I didn't think it was really a SB page unless it had a die cut (or two..) and stickers stickers stickers!! I LOVED stickers!!..Now those pages seem so dated to me. I love the timeless and classic look of photos, words and some cool paper that compliments both.
Take your camera every where, you won't want to miss a thing!

my advice would be scrap what you love - your scrapbooks are for you and your family!

You need the basics, and some good quality paper.
That and your photos, and your stories, and you will be a scrapbooker.
The rest is icing on the cake.
You can add "stuff" to your stash as you develop your own style and learn what it is you really like and will use.
I've been scrapping for five years, maybe a little more, and I'm still cleaning out all the extra "stuff" I bought that first year!!!
And learn to take better photos - that's still my biggest regret - I don't have enough of them and I want to take better ones!!!

I wish someone had told me that I didn't need to scrapbook every photo. Instead, scrapbook what is important and meaningful to you, and the photos and stories that help to tell your and your family's story.

My advice would be to scrap for yourself and family. Also that you don't need loads of stash, it's so easy to get carried away with products. Attending crops is great too as you meet new people/friends. And of course - enjoy :)

My best advice would be to echo some of the other comments already posted. Don't buy everything and all the latest and greatest before you start. Buy the basics like adhesives, good quality scissors, ruler, pencil and craft knife. Then go to crops and shops and ask people for their opinions, and for demos. See what the seasoned scrappers are using and do lots of research in magazines and online. I wasted so much money in the beginning buying everything I could lay my hands on and in the end either gave it away or threw it out.

What beautiful things.
I wish someone had told me to just focus on putting pictures down...scrapbooking is NOT about the stickers. I have lots of pages that have three pictures, cut out in tiny circles, and a ton of stickers. Oy. Those are never seeing the light of day.
Scrapbooking is about the pictures and what they say. Stop buying crap and focus on picking out pictures. :)

I wish I had been told there is no one right way to do it.

I would say: There is no right or wrong way to scrapbook. Figuring out your style and what you like is part of the creative process.

My advice would be to only buy the supplies you love. I bought way too many pieces of paper because they were on sale, not because I actually liked them, and then never ended up using them. Same goes for embellishments, etc.

Try to not be overwhelmed by all the supplies you can buy, just go with the basics at first. And you can scrapbook your pictures in any order you want to.

My best advice would be to start with the necessities. A good paper trimmer, a good adhesive and some good cardstock choices. I have so many punches and scissors from my early days that NEVER get used. I can't bear to throw them out though. Also journal on your pages. I have pages that I put off the journaling for a later time, and now can't remember some of the people's names! Even if you just take the time to write it down on a sticky note and stick it to the page protector,at least you have something to go back to. Otherwise you will forget.

My advice is not to get too much stuff - I speak as one who is pairing down to the basics to move overseas and it's making me feel so much more productive and creative. Simple all the way! :-)

just do it ! Jump right in - there's no "right" or "wrong" way to get started. Enjoy !

Enjoy yourself and have fun. This hobby is fun. It should not be considered an obligation.

My advice is don't compare your style to others'. Keep notes about techniques you want to try, and then try them your way. Invest in tools to start.

never, ever cut your photos into stupid little shapes. man i hate that i did that.