Care for your photos with these 7 tips

Celebrate Save Your Photos Day on September 24

Photos are such an important part of our lives. Think how special wedding photos, pictures of newborn babies or snapshots at a family picnic are to you and your family. Whether they’ve been passed down through generations or were just taken on your phone last week, photos are a way to capture and relive memories.

Save Your Photos Day, celebrated each year on the last Saturday of September, is a great time to take action to preserve these memories in a way that is both practical and accessible. This day is an initiative by the Save Your Photos Alliance, conceptualized by The Association of Personal Photo Organizers.

WayForth’s move solutions help you save time on downsizing, packing and unpacking, storage services and more. Contact us today to learn how our move management company can help you!

Protect your memories

Photos, especially older ones from film are fragile and prone to fading, tears or stains. Those on your phone or computer are also open to loss, especially if you have technical issues. If you have photos on social media that you’re fond of, be aware they can be in jeopardy if your account is hacked.

Old-fashioned albums are also not friendly to photos. The plastic sleeves and sticky pages that were popular in the 1970s or 1980s left photos discolored and the glue-like residue is hard to remove.

Check out these tips

If you want to make sure your photos are protected and organized, or are getting ready to downsize your possessions and need some assistance with your pictures, we have some tips and hints to share with you.

1. If you have film photos that have been printed, take time to scan them into your computer. Many home printers have scanners built in or you can buy one at an office supply store or other retailer. If there is any writing on the back of the photos, you may want to scan that as well.

2. All photos that are digital (scanned into a computer), should be backed up on an external hard drive or a thumb drive. Make sure that the files are named accordingly, so you can find certain photos later. For example: Christmas holidays, 2021.

3. Put any printed photos into an archival box, which can be found at craft stores or online. These are made with materials that will not harm photos. Mark each one with a title so they are easy to sort through when you want to find a special photo.

4. Label any photos no matter where you are keeping them so that you can remember peoples’ names, the location and the date of the event. This also helps future generations enjoy your photos. Experts say to use a pencil or special marker on backs of photos so they don’t get ruined by ink or pressure from a pen.

5. Sort through photos, especially the ones on your phone. Often there are duplicates or a photo that is no longer needed. This allows you more memory on your phone or other digital devices.

6. Consider making a book out of your favorite pictures. Several online companies allow you to upload photos, create layouts and assemble a book. This is a great way to commemorate a special event or trip, and they make great gifts as well.

7. If you frame any favorites, make sure to use professional quality glass and mats or a high-quality copy of the picture you want to display. This way the photo won’t fade and you won’t sacrifice the only copy you have. Also, make sure to display any photos out of direct sunlight to prevent damage.

Share with family and friends

Don’t forget to share your photos with others. It’s a great way to keep in touch with family and friends. There are several online sharing services such as Dropbox or Google Photos that make it easy to send photos to anyone in the world.

If you or a family member would like information on all of our comprehensive moving solutions, including downsizing and organization, simply contact our moving professionals today at 1.844.WAYFORTH. 

Sources:

nationaltoday.com

AARP.com

nationaldaycalendar.com