How to Preserve Old Photos

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many untold stories are waiting for you in your old photo albums? Some people are afraid to handle old photos because of the possibility of damaging them. Learn how to preserve old photos, and you can enjoy the tales they tell without putting them at risk of damage.

Have you ever spent an afternoon looking through your old photo albums? Seeing old friends and happy times again can bring anyone a smile. However, sometimes our old photos don’t stay looking their best. With time and handling, they can become discolored, scratched, or even wrinkled. How do you keep enjoying your old photos without risking damage?

If you ask an archivist how to take care of old photos, they’ll tell you that your best option is to handle them as little as possible. While this is great advice for historical documentation, it’s not of much help if you’re from the age where photos lived in albums instead of on a computer. Instead of hiding your photos away, make a plan for how to preserve old photos, and you can continue enjoying them for years to come.

Consider Digital Archiving

If you enjoy looking at your old photos and want to keep them safe, there’s an easy way to do it. Have those photos scanned, and make digital copies that you can frame and share. If you happen to have a computer at home, you can purchase a photo scanner and do it yourself. It could also be a fun project to do with a younger, tech-savvy relative. Some libraries even offer scanner access to patrons for this exact purpose.

If you have materials like old negatives or already damaged photos, you may want to work with a professional. Many photography stores and print shops offer digital archiving services that are affordable, and their employees know how to handle old materials with care.

Consider your budget and comfort with technology, and choose the option that works best for you.

Once you have everything scanned, the options for what you can do with digital photos are limitless. You can have them printed and framed for a wall display, broadcasted into your home with a digital frame, or just send them to friends and family to let them join in the reminiscing.

If You’re Displaying Originals, Do It with Care

Making digital copies is the safest way to keep enjoying your photos, but if that isn’t for you, you can still continue to enjoy old photos safely by following these tips:

When you aren’t looking at your old photos, make sure they’re stored somewhere away from moisture and light. Archival photo boxes are made for this exact purpose, and they are an affordable and easy way to keep old photos secure. If you aren’t sure what to buy, a photography store employee can likely help.
Never write on the backs of photos with pencils or ball-point pens. If you must write on a photo, use a special archival pen and try not to write directly on the image.
If you want to have an easy way to look at your photos, putting them in an album is safer than handling them individually. Put them in an album with photo sleeves. Avoid adhesives and photo corners, as they can break down and harm the quality of your photos.
If you want to keep your old photos on display, don’t frame them yourself. Instead, work with a professional frame artist who knows how to mount old photos without harming them. Never hang them in a place where they will be exposed to excessive sunlight or moisture. Most importantly, you should be aware that any framed photo has the possibility of fading. It’s better to frame a copy of the original if that’s an option.

_____

Learning how to preserve old photos is a skill that anyone can use. Once you’re done with your photos, reach out to friends and family and see if you can help with theirs. They’ll be happy to hear from you!

At Springhouse Village, we know how important it is to enjoy your retirement in a lively and welcoming environment. We make it easy for our residents to be active participants in our community. Whether that means encouraging residents to join an exercise class or assisting them in starting a garden club, we strive to help our residents thrive. To learn more about the amenities and services we offer, contact Springhouse Village today.