Tips for Storing Photos
By Vicki Davis
Here are some tips for proper photograph storage and display:
- Select photo-safe albums and adhesives. The scrapbook photo album allows for the greatest flexibility and creativity. Album bindings should allow pages to lie flat to keep photos from bending or cracking.
- Keep a family album and one album for each child. The child's personal album makes a great "leaving home" gift when the child marries or gets his first apartment.
- Don't keep photos in the attic or basement. Keep them in the living area of the home where it is cool and dry.
- Prints or negatives not placed in albums should be stored in boxes make of acid-free paper or stainless steel.
- Buy albums that feature acid-free paper. Most manufacturers will indicate if the album is photo-safe.
- When labeling photos, it is better not to write on them. But if you must, use photo-safe, acid-free pens or pencils.
- When binding pictures to the album, use paper cement or photo-safe tape adhesive. Never use rubber cement.
- Don't store negatives in the same places as your photographs.
- When framing photographs, always mat the photo. Humidity can cause the picture to stick to the glass if it touches it.
- Don't display photos in direct sunlight. This can fade photographs.
- Store albums upright, never stacked, to prevent warping.
- Document the photos. Write names and dates, but also write feelings or appropriate quotes.
- Cropping pictures is important. Not only can you make the picture look better, but you can get more pictures on the page of the scrapbook.
- You don't need to keep every photo of the baby's first smile. Pick two or three of the best for the scrapbook, then share the others with family and friends.
- Include special items with the photos. With the picture of the baby's first haircut, put in a lock of hair.
- Take at least one roll of black and white film a year of special family events and happenings. Black and white photographs last over 100 years, while the life span for color is only 50 years.
- Establish a family member as the family photo-historian. The time and effort will be appreciated for generations.
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