keepsakes Archives - Save Your Photos

Documents, report cards, certificates, awards, trophies, newspaper articles, invitations, letters and other similar items contain dates and information that may contribute to your family timeline and unlock some of your photo mysteries. So be a detective.

Not sure what to do with your growing collection of memorabilia and other keepsakes? These treasures play a significant role in your memory collection, and we encourage you to organize (and purge) these items as well.

Review for dates and details

Do any of these articles correspond with a photo in your digital or printed collection? Make a note (sticky note) with the image name that this memorabilia corresponds with so you can add this to the file name when scanning or digitizing.

Purge

Once you start reviewing your memorabilia, toss out anything that has lost its meaning or level of importance. Kids artwork is a challenge for most parents, and these beautiful treasures can clutter a collection very quickly.

Get into the habit of taking a photo of your child displaying their artwork as it comes into the house. Showcase their art for a period then scan and toss with the reassurance that you have digitized and cataloged accordingly. If you have a budding Picasso, then keep and store the very best pieces.

Digitize and backup

Divide your memorabilia into two categories for digitizing. Documents, report cards certificates, etc. can be scanned but bulky items will need to be photographed. Once you have a digital file, rename your files and add metadata using the same procedure as your photos, then store in your digital photo hub.

Organize and store

Store documents flat, in archive envelopes or boxes designed specifically for document storage. Label envelopes and boxes with as much detail as possible in case your envelopes or boxes become separated from your photo collection. Or add a few duplicate images that correspond with your memorabilia (not your original prints), so you keep your timeline and photos connected.

Store protected media in a safe place away from light, humidity, and extreme temperatures.

We also invite you to visit our sister blog The Photo Organizers for more tips and in-depth knowledge from some of the top photo organizing industry professionals. To find a photo organizer near you, visit the Association of Personal Photo Organizers.

Consider these goals as you work with your printed photos, home movies, and other tangible keepsakes. Reduce the clutter, organize and identify, digitize and backup and create a photo-safe archive.

Now that we’ve addressed your digital photos and videos, are you ready to tackle the rest of your memory collection?

Your other memory ‘assets’ are printed photos, photo albums, scrapbooks, slides, family artifacts, kids’ artwork, documents, home movies and any tangible item that contributes to your family story. We suggest you approach this next phase with four goals in mind.

Reduce the Clutter

Your boxes may be bulging with memories, but we know from experience that your collection is filled with stuff that can be tossed. Duplicate prints, memorabilia that has lost its significance, broken trophies and more. Let’s see if we can lose a few pounds in the sorting process!

Organize and Identify

Your memory collection will be easier to access, digitize and share when you create order and identify your most important photos, movies, and memorabilia.

Digitize and Backup

Your printed photos, home movies, treasures and memorabilia are just as vulnerable as your digital images that haven’t been backed up. Until you digitize your physical collection, these memories could be lost through fire, flood, natural disasters, human carelessness, natural decay and any unexpected tragedy.

Create a Safe Archive

Once you’ve identified the keepers in the collection and created digital copies, you’ll want to ensure that your originals are archived and stored in a photo-safe environment.

Save Your Photos: Be a Detective