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This Save Your Photos Month, we’re reminded that photos aren’t just images—they’re the stories, laughter, and love of generations past. Recently, we had the honor of helping a client preserve family photos in a way that ensures they will last for generations.

Family albums can be fragile, especially when they’ve been passed down through multiple generations. This client brought us two albums, painstakingly assembled by her grandmother, with photos dating back to the 1800s. The albums’ spines were falling apart, and many pages had become brittle. Each photograph was a treasure—and losing them wasn’t an option.

Understanding the Family’s Goals

Preserving family photos is about more than just saving images—it’s about understanding the story each family member wants to protect. We began by scanning every page of the albums to create a digital record. Then we met with her brother and sister to discuss their goals.

Interestingly, each sibling had a different vision for the family photos:

• One wanted a printed photo album for easy sharing

• One preferred an online collection for accessibility

• The client’s priority was to preserve family photos in their original form

By listening carefully, we could design a solution that met everyone’s needs while safeguarding the fragile originals.

How We Preserved the Original Photos

The original album pages were fragile and brittle. To protect them, we carefully transferred each page onto archival-quality paper and placed them into protective poly sleeves. These sleeves help prevent damage from handling, light, and environmental factors.

The old, deteriorating albums were retired, and the newly preserved pages were organized into a high-quality archival binder. What was once fragile and at risk of being lost was now preserved for generations to come.

Why Preserving Family Photos Matters

Photos are more than just pictures—they are a visual history of your family. They capture milestones, everyday moments, and the people who shaped your life. When albums are damaged or lost, these stories can vanish forever.

Taking steps to preserve family photos ensures that your children, grandchildren, and generations to come can experience the same memories and connections. It also gives peace of mind, knowing that your family’s story is safe from the effects of time, handling, and accidents.

Tips to Preserve Family Photos at Home

You don’t have to wait for disaster—or for your albums to start falling apart—to take action. Here are some simple steps you can take today to preserve family photos:

• Keep originals in photo-safe containers or albums to protect against damage

• Create copies through scanning so every photo is backed up

• Back up digital photos regularly to a jump drive, cloud service, or by printing physical copies

• Document your photos with names, dates, and places so future generations can easily identify relatives

• For older, unlabeled photos, ask family members now before details are lost

• Join an online heritage group to connect with extended family and share stories

• Display your favorites—don’t let them sit in boxes or data storage forever

• Add context such as ages, locations, and special stories to preserve the meaning behind the photos

These small steps can make all the difference in protecting your family’s history.

Take Action This Save Your Photos Month

Preserving memories might seem like a small act, but it has a lasting impact. Every family deserves the peace of knowing their stories, photos, and important documents are safe.

This Save Your Photos Month, don’t wait to protect your family’s treasures. Contact us today to start helping your family preserve family photos for generations to come.

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