The Best Way To Store Old Pictures
Storing photographs is beyond important! How you choose to treat your pictures today can set a precedent for their condition in the future. It may be easy to toss them all in a shoebox, but years from now, when you pull out faded and damaged photographs, you'll be cursing yourself for not being more cautious.
The best part is that while it might sound like a tedious process, it really isn't! Here are some quick and easy ways for you to store your photographs, so they remain organized and in pristine condition for years to come.
Store Them In The Right Conditions
If your photographs are currently stored in a basement or attic, you need to get them out of there ASAP! Humidity, temperature, and light are essential elements that need to be controlled for effective photo storage. And a humid place like the basement or attic is not ideal for storing your photographs.
Basements and attics are prone to flooding, moisture, and mold. If kept there, your pictures will eventually suffer damage and grow mold, which will deteriorate the image quality permanently. Instead, you can choose to store your pictures in a storage unit with other important belongings. The conditions there are much more controlled, and you won’t have to worry about moisture or fluctuating temperatures.
However, if storage units are out of the question, you can always store them in your closet or in a high place to keep them out of the reach of pets and children! Just ensure there won’t be any issues with moisture or temperature spikes.
Write On Your Photographs
This might sound scary, but don't worry, we're not asking you to scribble a mustache on your great grandfather. You've probably looked at a picture from decades ago and wondered, "who are these people?" or "I wonder when this was taken."
To avoid confusion in the future, write down dates and names on the back of a photograph. That way, anyone who finds the old pictures has context to the story behind the image!
If you’re planning on writing on your photographs, it would be best to use a No. 2 pencil. Pen ink runs the risk of bleeding or reacting with the photo paper, which can cause irreversible damage. However, pencil lead is more likely to not damage the photograph or slowly fade, leading to long-lasting results.
Keep Digital Copies
If you're someone who likes to keep their photographs close to them, then digital copies are your best bet. Vintage pictures are often fragile, and storing them in books and wallets can cause them to bend and get damaged.
Getting your old photographs scanned can help you take multiple copies and leave the originals in storage. This way, you won't have to be stressed out while carrying the photo around, and you can even post clear images online!
Want to avail photo scanning services in Houston, TX? Get in touch with us at Heritage! We’ll provide you with digital copies without compromising the resolution or quality of the images. Contact us today for more information.