Photographs
Click on Reformatting/Digitizing in the blue box above for information on preserving digital photo files.
- How do I preserve my photographs?
- Should I wear gloves when handling photographs?
- What should I do if my photograph is damaged and needs repair?
- How do I remove photographs from album pages?
- How do I detach photographs stuck to glass or to each other?
- Is it okay to use self-stick tape if it's marked "archival"?
- What kind of photograph album should I use? / How should I store my photographs and/or negatives?
- What kind of pen should be used for signing/marking photographs?
- How should I pack my photographs for storage or shipping?
- What should I do if my photographs get wet or moldy?
- How can I safely frame my photographs?
- How do I scan/digitize my photographs?
How do I preserve my photographs?
The most effective and economical preservation measures are preventive: proper storage, storage environment, and handling.
Should I wear gloves when handling photographs?
Yes. Wear fitted, clean, lint-free cotton or nitrile gloves when handling photographs and films, which are easily marred by fingerprints. Because photographs and films are also easily dented and creased, wear well-fitting gloves to minimize clumsiness.
Thoroughly wash and dry hands before putting on gloves and ensure work area is clean.
What should I do if my photograph is damaged and needs repair?
Conservation work to address damage is time consuming and costly to do correctly.
If the item has collector's value, the damage is minor, and is infrequently handled, consider leaving it as-is and focusing on improving storage conditions. See also Care of Photographs 
(Northeast Document Conservation Center).
If the item is of particular value, has progressing damage, is handled frequently, or is otherwise complicated, consult a photograph conservator.
How do I remove photographs stuck to album pages?
The safest do-it-yourself way to remove photographs is to cut out around each photograph while it's still attached to the album page (but possible only if there are no photographs on the other side of the page). If the adhesive holding the photographs is completely dried out, try sliding a thin card behind the photo to help release it from the page. If you cannot release the photographs without causing damage (e.g., creases, dents, tears, curling, etc.) or the album itself is also worth preserving, consult a photograph conservator.
Once out of the album, store photographs properly ("Care of Photographs," Northeast Document Conservation Center).
Read more about albums, stuck photographs, captioning photographs, digitizing photographs, and more from the U.S. National Archives.
How do I detach photographs stuck to glass or to each other?
Unfortunately, it is difficult and often impossible to remove photographs stuck to glass or to each other without seriously damaging the photograph(s). To determine whether it is even possible to save stuck photographs, consult a photograph conservator. For additional information, see Photograph Stuck to Glass? (Smithsonian Institution Archives Forum).
Is it okay to use self-stick ("pressure-sensitive") tape if it's marked "archival"?
Once applied, self-stick tape, also known as "pressure-sensitive" tape, can be extremely difficult to remove and often creates condition problems over time. Instead of taping (or gluing) photographs into albums, use polyethylene or polypropylene photo sleeves ("Care of Photographs," Northeast Document Conservation Center) that fit into a ring binder or secure photographs onto the album page with photo corners.
What kind of photograph album should I use / How should I store my photographs and/or negatives?
Polyethylene or polypropylene photo sleeves that fit into ring binders offer an easy solution ("Care of Photographs," Northeast Document Conservation Center). If using an album with paper pages, secure photographs to the album page with photo corners. For other storage ideas and additional information, including how to store negatives and slides, see Care of Photographs (Northeast Document Conservation Center).
Store the album in a preservation-quality box ("Storage Enclosures for Books," Northeast Document Conservation Center) in good environmental conditions.
All products for storing photographs should pass the photographic activity test (PAT) (ISO 18916).
Read more about caring for family photographs from the U.S. National Archives.
What kind of pen should be used for marking/signing photographs?
Permanent ink pens that pass the photographic activity test (PAT) (ISO 18916) can be used on semi-gloss inkjet papers, films, and polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene photos sleeves and should not fade, bleed, or transfer when used properly. Such pens (Internet keyword search: "film marking pen preservation") can be purchased from preservation suppliers.
How should I pack my photographs for storage or shipping?
See Care of Photographs (Northeast Document Conservation Center) for guidelines on proper storage. Then pack stored photographs vertically whenever possible.
Arrange for a good storage environment during storage and shipping.
What should I do if my photographs get wet or moldy?
Take necessary safety precautions if the water is contaminated with sewage or other hazards or if there is active (wet or furry) mold growth. Then follow guidelines for photographs: What to do if Collections Get Wet.
Some kinds of photographs cannot withstand any water exposure at all. For further information, see Emergency Salvage of Wet Photographs (Northeast Document Conservation Center).
How can I safely frame my photographs?
See Preservation Guidelines for Matting and Framing. Most important:
- All materials in direct contact with the photograph should pass the photographic activity test (PAT)
(ISO 18916) - The frame should be designed so that the surface of the photograph does not touch the frame glass/glazing (keep the photograph from touching the glass either with a window mat or with spacers in the frame)
- Over time, all photographs exposed to light (even if behind UV-filtering glass) will undergo irreversible light damage; if the photograph is of personal, monetary, or historic value, consider framing a facsimile and keeping the original in a good storage and storage environment.
How do I scan/digitize my photographs?
The Federal Agencies Digitization Guidelines Initiative has recommendations for imaging equipment, conditions, parameters, and file type and maintenance. See sections starting on pp. 4, 38, 49, 67 and 79 for detailed information on different file formats, transmission scanning, specifications, and resolution.
See also Are there service providers that can digitize my collection for me?
