System for adding sound to pictures

A sound segment recording system is used in conjunction with a conventional camera (C) that by itself cannot record sounds. A sound recorder (100) has a mounting device (120, 190) for mounting the recorder on the camera, a microphone (110) and a sound-record switch (130) that is placed adjacent the shutter button when the recorder is mounted. A "sound stick" (200) has a connector (210) on one end to transfer sound data from the recorder when the sound stick is inserted in an opening (170). It contains memories (230) that record sound segments, selectable to one minute long, when the switch is pressed. The juxtaposition of the record switch to the camera shutter button (SB) permits the user to start the sound recording before the taking of the associated picture. A separate playback device is provided, into which the sound stick also plugs for downloading the sound segment data, or else the recorder is made to double as a playback device. To correlate the sound segments with the pictures, the sound stick includes a reading head 270 that can scan a bar code. Bar codes are preferably included as part of the system, to be peeled off a backing sheet and attached to a picture as a label identifiable by the sound stick bar code reader. This allows the user to select the proper sound segment for playback by scanning the bar code on the picture.