There are no black-and-white answers, but there are ways to preserve both your photos and family peace. Here are some ideas how:
1. Get the pictures out of their albums and frames.
You may have photos hanging on the wall that have been there for years – simply because no one has bothered to take them down. Or, there may be a great shot hiding deep in an album that no one sees – because who really takes the time to open those books at look at them? Instead of making a big-picture decision about what to do with all of your photo memorabilia, take some time to sit down with your family and really look at what you’ve got.
2. Take your best shot.
If there are pictures of people you want to hold on to, look for the best shots you have then take steps to preserve them in a way that will bring joy to your life now.
If you don’t know/can’t remember the people in your pictures, it’s time to say goodbye. If you don’t know who they are, you won’t miss them when they’re gone!
3. Put them in a format that won’t fade away.
If you do find shots you want to keep and/or share, the easiest thing to do is scan them. Not only does scanning save space, it eliminates the problem of trying to preserve aging paper. With today’s technology, getting a new print of your old shots is as easy as taking out your phone. Some apps let you scan several photos at a time. Here’s how: Scan-Photos-with-Your-Smartphone.
4. And/or get professional help.
Don’t have the time to do it yourself? There are many reputable professional scanning companies such as scanmyphotos.com or scancafe.com which will be happy to scan your photos, as well as your Super 8 films and videos.
5. Enjoy connecting with the past – but stay in the present.
Pictures are a wonderful way to stay connected with family and friends – when you stay current with your collection. Batches of unsorted pictures, kept in boxes and stored in the closet may add unwanted clutter to your life. Keep your photos so they can bring joy to your life now!
6. Whatever your position on keeping photos, someone else agrees with you.
Even more important than keeping photos is keeping the peace. Curtis Bisel at scanyourentirelife.comtook a poll re: what people do with old photos, and found that they were fairly divided between keepers, tossers and undecideds. Sometimes, it’s helpful just to know that others are on your side.
Whether it’s photos, films, or any kind of paraphernalia, I’m here to help you sort things out. That way, you and your family can hold on to what’s important — and free yourselves from being overwhelmed by the rest.
Let me know what I can do to help you!
