How to digitize old family photos
Simple steps for creating clear digital copies of treasured photographs.
Start with a clean, safe workspace
Handle photographs by their edges and use a clean, dry surface. For fragile, valuable, or historically important prints, consult a professional conservator before cleaning or scanning.
Capture a clear copy
A flatbed scanner can produce a consistent image. If you use a phone, work in even light, avoid glare, and hold the camera parallel to the photograph. Keep the original scan unchanged.
Keep a backup
Save copies in more than one place, such as a computer and a trusted cloud service. Label files with names and approximate dates when you know them.
Review any restoration
AI restoration can help repair or colorize a copy, but the result is an interpretation, not a guarantee of historical accuracy. Compare it with the original before sharing.