Scanned Your Photos? Don’t Make This Common Mistake
Let’s settle a common question:
TRUE or FALSE? Once you’ve scanned your print photos, you should toss the originals.
The answer? FALSE!
My friend, you’ve worked hard (and maybe invested quite a bit) to digitize those treasured prints—your wedding photos from the 80s, your kids’ baby pictures, the heritage portraits from your grandmother’s collection. Now, those memories live in a digital format, ready to share with your children and future grandchildren, safe from everyday wear and tear. Yay, you!
Digitizing your photos is a huge win—it means you now have a reliable backup of your originals. But here’s the twist: once your photos are digital, the prints actually become the backup for your digital files.
Why? Because technology isn’t foolproof. Hard drives fail. Cloud subscriptions expire or change terms. Files get corrupted. And sometimes, it’s just comforting to know you can hold the real thing in your hands.
So here’s our best advice for what to do with photos after scanning: keep your prints.
Keep the framed ones you love on your walls and in albums. And for the rest (the other 98%!), store them in a photo-safe box in a climate-controlled spot—like the top of a closet or under a guest bed. That way, if something ever happens to your digital files, you’ll have a “just in case” safety net.
Of course, there are a few exceptions—duplicates, blurry shots, and unidentifiable photos can go. Moldy or damaged ones should be scanned and then safely disposed of.
If the thought of scanning or sorting feels overwhelming, we are here to help you protect your family’s legacy with care and attention to detail. You don’t have to do it alone—visit our website to learn more about our customized photo organizing and digitizing services.
Because your memories deserve more than a digital file—they deserve to be preserved for generations.
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Other Helpful Posts
Why You Must Scan Your Framed Photos
The Beginner’s Guide to Organizing Your Printed Photos
Organizing Printed Photos: Tools of the Trade
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