Who ranks for “photograph preservation”

Preserve physical photographs by storing them in cool, dry, dark indoor spaces using acid-free, archival-safe materials.

Handling and Environment

Clean hands: Wash your hands or wear clean nitrile or cotton gloves. Avoid touching the image surface directly. No food or drink: Keep snacks and beverages away from your workspace. Stable climate: Keep photos in climate-controlled living areas, avoiding hot attics, humid basements, and garages. Low light: Keep originals away from direct sunlight and fluorescent lighting to prevent fading.

Storage Materials

Archival boxes and sleeves: Use acid-free, lignin-free boxes and PVC-free plastic sleeves made from polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene. Look for items that pass the Photographic Activity Test (PAT). Avoid bad albums: Never use magnetic or self-adhesive sticky albums, rubber bands, paper clips, or tape.

Organization and Digital Backup

Gentle labeling: Write lightly on the back edge of a paper print using a soft graphite pencil, or label the protective enclosure instead. Digitize: Scan your photographs at high resolution and store multiple digital copies in separate locations like a hard drive and cloud storage. Guidance and official protocols are detailed by the Library of Congress.

If you'd like, let me know:Are you looking to store print photos, negatives, or slides ? Do you need advice on finding a local or online scanning service ? I can give you more specific steps.