TIPS FOR SORTING THROUGH YOUR BOXES OF PHOTOS

We all have that one drawer or shelf in the closet that is overflowing with a miss match of various family photographs that our parents or grandparents gave us. Some photos may even be more recent as film photography is starting to make a comeback! Regardless, it seems the boxes of images somehow keep growing and morphing into this intimidating monster of a project to sort through.

Who has the time or even any idea of where to start?

Spoiler: We do!

Sorting through and protecting your analog media can be an incredibly daunting task, but it is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, your family, and future generations.

Most analog media including prints, cassette tapes, audio reels, VHS tapes or slides, while obsolete also are at risk of deteriorating due to lack of climate control or the instability of the media. If not properly stored and preserved prints can fade, cassette tapes may unravel, audio reels can begin to erode, and slides may become damaged.

All of these types of media should ideally be digitized first, to ensure you have a digital copy, and then they should be stored in the proper boxes and folders. So how do you do this and where do you start?

We can help you! We offer an array of photo organization and digitizing services.

How to get started

If you’d prefer to do this process on your own, then we suggest starting by organizing your media by type (prints, slides, vhs, etc.). Once organized it is easier to start the scanning process, tackling one media type at a time. You can either purchase a scanner yourself, or outsource this part.

After everything is scanned you can put the analog media into folders or bins. It is always important, especially when working with prints, art, and photographic media, to always use acid free folders to store your images. This helps prevent erosion and damage to the prints.

Pro tip: If you really want to push the organization, you can get acid free stickers to number each of your prints and include this number in the file name of your digital copy. In doing this you make it easy to look at a digital copy, and then go find the corresponding physical copy.