Protect Your Memories, One Photo at a Time
September is Save Your Photos Month, a global initiative dedicated to helping families preserve their most treasured memories. Whether digital or printed, photos capture the milestones, stories, and moments that make up our lives—and once they’re gone, they can’t be replaced.
How It All Began
Save Your Photos Month started in 2014, inspired by the emotional aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy and the Joplin tornadoes. Families were suddenly faced with damaged or lost photos that carried generations of memories. Originally a single Save Your Photos Day, the event expanded into a month-long public awareness campaign in 2016, giving people tools, education, and support to protect their photo collections before disaster strikes.
Since then, The Photo Managers, a global network of professional photo organizers, have led the movement, offering expert guidance, free resources, and community engagement. Each year, the campaign includes live sessions, downloadable guides, and special events to help individuals safeguard their visual legacies.
Why Photo Preservation Matters
How many times have you thought, “I’ll organize these photos someday”? Unfortunately, disasters don’t wait. Fires, floods, hurricanes, and even tech failures can wipe out decades of memories overnight.
Your photos are more than images—they’re your family’s history and story. Protecting them ensures that your children, grandchildren, and future generations can connect with your life, your milestones, and your legacy.
What to Expect During Save Your Photos Month
This September, you can join a series of free YouTube Live sessions hosted by The Photo Managers, covering topics like:
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Digitizing and organizing printed and digital photos
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Creating a photo safety plan
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Restoring damaged photos after disasters
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Overcoming photo clutter and emotional overwhelm
Week 1 (Sept 2–5): Laying the Foundation
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Sept 2: Why Photo Preservation is Critical Before a Disaster
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Sept 5: How to Digitize Your Photos: A Step-by-Step Guide
Tip: Sort before you scan! Group photos by event or decade, remove duplicates, and focus on the images that matter most.
Week 2 (Sept 9–12): Building Your Photo Safety Plan
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Sept 9: Organizing Digital Photos for Disaster Preparedness
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Sept 12: How to Safeguard Printed Photos from Fire, Water & Disasters
Tip: Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule—three copies of your photos, two types of media, one stored offsite.
Week 3 (Sept 16–19): Handling Photos During & After a Disaster
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Sept 16: Emergency Action Plans for Photo Safety
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Sept 19: Restoring Damaged Photos After a Disaster
Tip: If your printed photos get wet, don’t panic! Keep them submerged in clean, cold water, freeze if stuck, and dry gently in a cool, well-ventilated space.
Week 4 (Sept 23–26): Long-Term Preservation & Community Support
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Sept 23: Chronic Clutter & Emotional Overwhelm
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Oct 2 (Bonus): Essential Tools for Photo Preservation
Tip: Progress matters more than perfection. Curate what’s meaningful and let go of what no longer serves your story.
Join a Local Hands-On Workshop
In addition to the global online events, you can join an in-person DIY Photo Organizing Class hosted by Here For You Concierge:
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Date: Thursday, Sept 25 6-8pm
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Location: 6081 Hamilton Boulevard, Suite 300, Allentown, PA 18106
This small-group workshop provides personal guidance to help you sort, digitize, and organize your own photos—perfect for anyone who wants hands-on support.
Get Started Today
Save Your Photos Month is about taking small, intentional steps to protect your memories before it’s too late. Whether it’s backing up digital files, storing prints safely, or finally tackling that pile of photo albums, there’s no better time than now to start.
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Register for Free YouTube Sessions: SaveYourPhotos.org
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Join the Local DIY Class: Facebook Event
Your photos tell your story. Let’s make sure they’re safe, organized, and ready to share with the people you love.
