Meaningful Memories is all about supporting people from where they are, to where they want to go, at a price point they can afford. Some people have more time than money, others more money than time! I will work with you so your resources meet your goals.

 

Preparing photos for scanning is a task you may prefer to do yourself. I am also happy to join you, or your family or associates, in the task of sorting, curating, and preparing photos. Sometimes the task of going through all those memories can be emotionally exhausting! But it can also be very enjoyable—and meaningful. If I join you while we sort and organize, I can also make notes about the people, and of stories you want to add later.

 

Outlined below are the tasks necessary to prepare your photos for scanning into a digital format, that will then go on to make digital and/or print photo albums. (A digital copy is always provided in a format of your preference.)

 

Please use the checklist below to let me know which of these tasks you have done yourself. When we meet, I will go over your photos to make sure the process meets your expectations.

 

1. Prepare your space – Do you have a large table or guest bed you can dedicate to the project? If not, you can do it in phases, using the sheet of paper label tip described next step. (In my household I have to make sure cats don’t jump up and disrupt my careful work!)

 

2. Start thinking categories and write them on individual sheets of paper. If possible, don’t take a whole lifetime of photos on at once. Break it down, and then think what categories or subjects you have. Write those categories or subjects, one subject per sheet of paper. Lay those sheets of paper out on your sorting space. (You will use the sheets of paper to hold and protect each group of photos; see #9.)

 

3. Sort photos into groups by subject, putting aside ones that will not go into the final project (“curating”). There can be a “maybe” pile!

 

4. Set aside photos with sticky residue or paper from a scrapbook, to be scanned in individually using the Epson carrier sheet. I can help safely remove photos glued in a scrapbook with an icing spatula and an adhesive remover that contains heptane, a chemical used for removing stickers and labels. I use other vendors for special material.

 

5. Use a soft dry cloth at any point in this process to remove dust. (Let me know if you have not done this.)

 

6. Sort them further by size – this will make the scanner’s functions work better.

 

7. As much as possible, put them in the sequence you will want – but of course the digital images can be moved around, too.

 

8. Count the photos in each batch and write the total number on the paper.

 

9. Fold the paper around each group of photos, using masking tape, a rubber band, or clips if they won’t pinch the pictures, to secure the folded paper.

 

10. Stack the photos for the project vertically in a clean large envelope or dry box such as a shoe box. (I have photo storage boxes of various designs for purchase, as well.)

 

But the one thing I can’t do – is say what is in those treasured pictures! There are several different ways of naming your pictures. Options include:

 

1. Write on the back – Use a pen that will not make an indentation. The Epson scanner detects if there is anything to image on the back of the photo and will make an image. From there, I can name each image for the digital record. Some photo book platforms will read in the title of the digital image directly as a caption, saving time. OR…

 

2. Make an index sheet – After the photos are grouped and ordered, write your caption on sheets of paper in order of the photos. OR…

 

3. Talk to me about it and I will make notes! We can even begin an oral history and record you talking about these memories!

 

For the name of each image, it’s best to have:

 

1. Year and possibly month or season

 

2. Names of people (we’ll figure out last names in the project, so “Uncle Charlie” is fine)

 

3. Event

 

4. If desired, note special memories that you want to build a story around later.

 

I truly wish for you a meaningful, nostalgic and enjoyable experience as you undertake this photo organization and curation process. And I’ll enjoy hearing your stories!