11 Photo Storage, Display, and Sharing Questions Everybody Has, Answered

1. Can I scan my photos on my printer?

Short answer is yes, but should you? No. Your printer’s scanning software isn’t built for photo scanning. It’s likely built for document scanning. If you scan your photos on a printer, you will get a low-quality scan that isn’t worth keeping. You can use a printer’s scanner in a pinch, but you’ll want a photo scanner for a quality digital copy. 

2. I store all my photos stacked together in a plastic box with no protection between them. Is that bad? 

That depends. Where is your plastic box kept? Do you have a digital copy of those photos in case the originals are damaged? Photo material (prints, slides, negatives) are best kept flat, in an archival-safe manner (I like Pfile for archival storage materials), in a plastic container with a lid. They should be kept in the dark, in a room with stable temperature and humidity, and kept away from water pipes. The container should not be air-tight. 

Archival paper or plastic sleeves would be ideal for your photos stored inside the plastic box, but the most important thing about photo storage is keeping the photos in a plastic box with a lid and making sure the box is in a safe, dark place. 

3. What are some ways I can display my photos without putting them on the wall? 

How about on the fridge? I love magnetic sleeves! You could also keep them as a screensaver on your monitor or TV. Or a digital frame? You could try making a printed calendar or beautiful coffee table book as well. For something simple and stylish, I’m loving a print in a block lucite frame—inexpensive, indestructible and they look good in lots of places—next to the kitchen sink or bed, on a shelf, desk or entrance table.  

4. Do I need any special software to make a photo book?

Not if you have a decent internet connection. For most photo book companies, you can use the free software online (ex: Artifact Uprising, Milk, Mixbook, Shutterfly, Printique, Zno). If your internet is weak or unreliable, then consider downloading software to your computer. Blurb is a good option. 

5. What kinds of things could I put in my family photo book besides photos?

Think beyond a literal representation to tell your story more fully. You can scan and include tickets, invitations, recipes, maps, and newspaper articles. Take pictures of three-dimensional things—a set table with family china and silver, statues or signs, signed items or trophies, shoes or clothing or accessories. Download copyright-free images from the internet of maps, album covers, advertisements, or images of old technology like phones, typewriters, radios to further illustrate your story.

6. My house has a lot of direct sun. How do I keep my photos from fading in their frames? 

There’s only one sure way: don’t frame an original photo you only have one copy of. In a perfect world, everyone would frame a print made from a scanned original photo, never the original copy. The original would be safely stored in an appropriate way—flat, in the dark, in stable humidity and temperature, in a plastic box in an archival-safe sleeve. Then you don’t have to worry about the sun; you just make another print using the digital file and frame that one when the present copy inevitably fades.

7. I have some old negatives. How should I store them? 

If you haven’t yet scanned the negatives and have a digital copy of the image, do that first. Then, get some archival safe sleeves (I like Pfile for these archival items). Slide the negatives into the sleeve, put them flat stacked on top of each other in a plastic box. Store the box not on the floor or near a water pipe, in stable humidity and temperature and in the dark. A great place to store them is on the top shelf of the coat closet in the hall—also the perfect place for photo storage!

8. My photo library on my computer is so full. Are there any tricks to downsizing my photo library? 

Delete, delete, delete! ? But seriously, google “duplicate photo finder” and read about different software apps to determine the best to use for your system, then download it and use. Also, starting today, delete your photos at the source, before they ever arrive in your library. When you are staring at an email containing photos or at a new cache of photos you are about to transfer from your camera or phone to your photo library or, only download or transfer the best photos, then delete everything else! Don’t give into the “I don’t know which is the best—I’ll do it later” syndrome, which is how you got some many pictures in the first place. Do it now and don’t worry. You have plenty of pictures to tell your story.

9. I want to make a photo book, but am not sure what story to tell. How do I get started? 

Check out these two free resources of ours: “Questions for Finding the Family Stories” and “Questions &  Suggestions for Creating a Book.” They’ll get you thinking!

10. What kinds of boxes should I get for storing my photos and keepsakes? Will any plastic box work?

Sturdy plastic boxes are better than paper ones because they will keep contents from getting wet as well as keep contents dust- and dirt-free. The key thing to remember when choosing a storage box is that it should not be airtight. Photographic images need air. The lid should overhang the base and close tightly. What is of more importance is what you put your photos and keepsakes in within the box. Use resealable plastic bags for keeping photos organized and safe within the plastic boxes.

11. I’ve got so many photos—where do I start?

Look around your home. All those framed photos hanging on your walls, sitting on shelves and tables? You’ve already chosen them as Keepers! But, because they are being exposed to light,  they are fading. So there’s where you start—your framed and displayed photos. Next steps: scan each to make a digital copy; make a print of the digital copy and frame it; safely store the previously framed original. Done! 

Now dig into a box of your photos—just ONE box. Divide the photos into three piles – Keepers, Give-aways and Toss. For the Keepers, see above. For the Give-aways, stick them in a plastic bubble mailer and send them to whomever would appreciate them. For the Toss, just toss them. Really. My webinar, “Unearthing Your Family Photo Gems,” will give you more sorting tips and tools.