Are you keeping your old print photos safe? The pictures of your childhood, your parents’ wedding, and those precious family moments—these are more than just memories. They are your family’s heritage, a visual story of where you came from, and they deserve to be preserved for generations to come. But are they actually being stored in a way that will allow them to live on?
As I worked to help people salvage flood damaged photographs after Hurricane Ian, I realized pretty quickly that most people aren’t taking the necessary steps to secure pictures. I watched countless people sob as they realized it was too late. I recount those situations as well as the steps you can take to avoid that heartache in my book, Beyond the Storm. If you are looking for extra inspiration, that is the book for you.
But if you want to start that project NOW here are four essential steps to keep your photos safe!
1. Get a Digital Copy
Print photos are fragile. They can be lost in fires, floods, or simply deteriorate over time. Even if they stay perfectly safe from damage, the paper and ink will eventually fade. The best way to ensure they last forever? Digitize them!
- Use a high-quality scanner like the Epson FastFoto FF-680W or a scanning app like Photomyne to create digital versions of your photos.
- Save your images in a high-resolution JPEG so they retain as much detail as possible.
- Don’t wait! The sooner you scan, the sooner you safeguard these irreplaceable treasures.
I love this scanner because it has a photo feeder. It allows you to scan stacks of photographs at one a time. I have found it to be the quickest and easiest way to get digital copies of old photographs and to get photo organized!
2. Back Up That Digital Copy
Once you have digital copies, don’t store them in just one place. Digital files are vulnerable to accidental deletion, hard drive failures, and cyber threats. The best practice is to keep at least three copies in different locations:
- On an external hard drive – I suggest using a desktop external hard drive
- In cloud storage – Services like Amazon Photos or Dropbox are great for remote backups.
- On a USB or another device – A simple USB backup is a great extra option.
Think of this as creating a safety net for your memories—so no matter what happens, your photos are never lost.
3. Store Your Prints in Archival-Quality Materials
Even though digitizing is essential, don’t forget to protect the originals! Proper storage can prevent fading, discoloration, and damage over time. Here’s how:
- Use acid-free, lignin-free photo albums or archival storage boxes (like Archival Methods) to prevent deterioration.
- Avoid plastic sleeves with PVC, as they can cause photos to stick and degrade over time. Instead, choose polypropylene or polyester sleeves.
- Store photos in a cool, dry, and dark place to prevent mold, fading, and warping. Avoid attics and basements where humidity and temperature fluctuate.
Your future family members will thank you for keeping these precious keepsakes intact!
4. Share the Photos & Their Stories
Preserving photos isn’t just about keeping them safe—it’s about keeping their stories alive. A picture without context loses its meaning, so take the time to document who is in each photo, when and where it was taken, and the story behind it. Here’s how:
- Create a shared digital family album on platforms like Google Photos, Dropbox, or FamilySearch Memories so everyone has access.
- Consider making a photo book with a service like Chatbooks or SimplePrints so the memories can be easily revisited and shared.
- Sit down with older relatives and ask them to help identify people and places. Their stories add meaning that can’t be captured in the photo alone.
Take these steps and grab a copy of my book 🙂
Your family’s history is priceless, and these four steps ensure that it’s not forgotten or lost. Taking a little time and these first few steps now to digitize, back up, properly store, and share your photos will keep your memories safe and your legacy alive for future generations.
And for extra motivation and tips to get that job done, check out my book, Beyond the Storm. It’s available for pre-sale right now. It’s filled with tips to make this project and easy one!
