Displaying Your Photos- Frames & Albums
Are Print Photos Still Relevant (Part 4)
With all the focus on digital photos these days, what do we do with all those printed photos, both those we’ve created ourselves and those that we’ve inherited. These treasures capture the history of our family before the digital age. They preserve the past and the lives of our ancestors.
In my last blog I talked about storing your photos safely in a suitable storage box and in a safe environment so as not to cause damage your photos.
It is peace of mind knowing that your irreplaceable photographic memories of your family and ancestors are stored in a safe and protective environment, but stored photos cannot be seen and enjoyed by family. Displayed photos help us remember people, places and occasions. Just as how you store your photos is important for longevity, how you display your photos is equally important.
Photos in Frames- Framed photos should preferably be a copy in order to reduce the effects of light, heat and insects. Scan original and rare photos, print the digital image and place that in a frame.
Photos in Albums- Photos albums are considered a bit ‘old fashioned’ these days. But what do you do with your heritage photos and the photos you have decided to keep after your cull? Should they remain locked away in storage boxes or be brought out into the world for family to enjoy?
Benefits of displaying photos in albums:
- Photos are chronological
- Photos are grouped
- Photos are labelled
- Photos can more easily be looked at
- Photos are protected when being looked at
- Albums can be passed down, preserving your family history
Not all photo albums are equal. Remember the magnetic albums of the 1960’s - 70’s. Almost every family has at least one of these, usually filled with deteriorating colour prints. These albums weren’t really magnetic. Instead, they were made from acidic cardboard and coated with sticky wax. Unfortunately, none of these materials were manufactured for long-term preservation of the contents of the album. To ensure the longevity of your photos it is necessary to store them in a genuine acid free, lignin free and PVC free album.
I tend to favour scrapbook albums for displaying photos as you are not limited by your photo size. Heritage photos in particular come in all different shapes and sizes. A scrapbook page allows you to display a range of different sized photos, in different orientations on one page. You can also display certificates and other memorabilia alongside your photos in scrapbook albums. Depending on budget I recommend two scrapbook albums that are not only genuinely archive quality, but which I have used for many years:
Creative Memories Scrapbook Albums- For well over 20 years I have been using Creative Memories scrapbook albums. Creative Memories albums are subject to strict testing to ensure they will preserve the photos displayed within them, and last for generations to come. They are great quality and present well.
Coral Coast Scrapbook Albums- For a medium priced archive quality scrapbook I recommend the Coral Coast Scrapbook Album. These come in two sizes- 12 x 12 and A4. The A4 album perfectly fits certificates, letters and other memorabilia as well as your photos. The primary difference of this album vs the Creative Memories album is that it is top loading.
Both of these brands are available for purchase through Memories of a Lifetime. Head to the SHOP tab to learn more about these albums or contact me for advice on the most suitable album for your photos.