PRESERVE YOUR COLLECTION FOR THE FUTURE
October 3-7 | Starting at $500Photographs, negatives, slides and albums are vulnerable to deterioration - and poor storage conditions can accelerate damage over time. Magnetic media such as video tapes and audio cassettes are particularly time-sensitive, as both the tapes and the equipment needed to access them are disappearing.
But preservation is about more than protecting the physical object.
It is woven through every stage of your archive: how your collection is organised, described, stored, backed up and kept findable over time.
Preservation can include
Every collection is different. Depending on what you have, preservation may involve caring for the physical material, creating digital copies, protecting the digital archive, or making sure the information around the photographs remains connected to them.
A collection is only truly preserved if future generations can find it, access it and understand why it matters.
Archival Rehousing
Acid-free, archival-quality storage for photographs, negatives, slides, albums and other family material.
PAT-Tested Storage
Carefully selected photographic storage materials that have passed the Photographic Activity Test and are appropriate for long-term use.
Digitising
Creating high-quality digital copies of photographs, slides, negatives and vulnerable or obsolete formats, helping preserve their content and keep it accessible.
Identification + Planning
Identifying vulnerable, deteriorating or time-sensitive material and establishing what needs attention first.
Findability + Context
Keeping names, dates, stories and relationships connected to the photographs through organisation, labelling and metadata.
3–2–1 Backup Strategy
Three copies of your digital archive, across two different storage types, with one copy kept off-site.
Preservation begins with understanding what you have.
During your Collection Assessment, I look at how your photographs and other family material are currently stored, identify anything vulnerable or time-sensitive, and establish what needs attention first.
From there, preservation becomes part of your wider Photo Management Plan — alongside organisation, digitisation and the way your physical and digital collection will work together.
Not sure what needs attention first?
Begin with a Collection Assessment.
I’ll look at how your collection is currently stored, identify vulnerable or time-sensitive material, and help establish what should be prioritised now - and what can wait.
Prefer to talk first? Book a complimentary 20-minute Project Conversation.