PAST TO THE FUTURE
Archival Services
SERVICES
Organizing and digitalizing your own photos can be extremely difficult. While it seems a simple task, because you have a personal connection to them it's very easy to get sidetracked. I’ve organized photos for many different clients and have an effective, quick system to sort, scan, and digitally set up your photos. I also do all the work myself, so you don’t have to worry about anyone else handling or damaging your photos.
PHOTO SORTING
I begin organizing by decade, then year, then if possible down to the exact date and event when a photo was taken. In order to do this, each client completes a brief but concise questionnaire.
Once I have all of your materials, I work as a detective to make educated guesses as to where photos go in your timeline. Some photos can’t be organized in this fashion because of lack of information, however each photo will be placed chronologically to the best of my ability. For example, I may not know who is in a photo, but based on my expertise I can determine the decade, year, and hopefully where/ why the photo was taken. Some photos are sorted by series or similar characteristics, depending on how much information I have been given.
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DIGITAL BACKUP
Once they have been organized, photos are digitized. I work with two of my own scanners to quickly scan your archives. Some photos must be hand scanned on a flatbed scanner due to size, shape, or condition of the photo.
Photos are scanned at 600 dpi (dots per inch) except in certain instances where I feel a higher dpi would benefit the photo. Slides and negatives can also be scanned, usually at a higher dpi as they produce better images.
In the past, I have used different photo labs for this step, however I will elaborate later on why I don’t like handing photos over to different labs/ services. I instead decided to invest in my own equipment so that I could give peace of mind to my customers and ensure photos were properly digitized.
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DIGITAL SET-UP
When you know where a photo is, specifically organized on your computer, it’s much easier to find.
After organizing the hardcopies and backing them up, the last step is making the digital copies easily accessible. This is different for each client depending on how they use technology. Some clients simply want their photos in files that they can easily sort through. However, I recommend using a photo sorting software such as iPhoto or Aperture. In these programs I can easily create folders for each decade, with sub folders for dates and events.
Ultimately however, it is up to you how I return your photos.
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FAQ
Why not just use a photo lab to digitize my photos?
I’ve personally worked with different photo labs in the past and don’t recommend going this route. People often do not realize the restrictions involved when using a photo lab. Most labs will reject photos for reasons including: size, shape, condition, or copyright concerns. I’ve seen many people get their archives back with bags of photos excluded because the lab could not scan them.
Secondly photos can be poorly handled by a technician who doesn’t really care about your photos. I’ve seen photos come back damaged, out of order, or missing altogether. To this effect, labs often charge extra to rotate photos, to scan in a certain order, or to digitally ICE a photo (Digital image correction and enhancement). People often do not take into consideration these added costs, and more than once I have seen people in the lobby of a photo lab desperately trying to sort though their photos on the spot so they can afford to properly digitize their photos.
Most importantly, the cost to digitize photos is comparable to PTTF’s prices, and we organize your photos!
What will this cost?
Pricing strictly depends on how many photos you have. PTTF does its best to be very upfront about how much your project will cost. While there are added services that cost extra, these will be clearly outlined before your project is started.
Do my archives have to be in a certain format?
There are a few simple requirements before I can start on your project. This is as basic as having all of your photos in one place! I do not sort through your home or files. I simply ask photos are placed in boxes, bags, or in another mode of transport. I can supply boxes for transport and sorting if needed. However I only do photos, slides, and negatives. Albums and scrapbooks are separate from photo packages and have different pricing but are also accepted.
Secondly, as mentioned, each client fills out a questionnaire. The more detail you put down on the questionnaire, the better organized your photos will be! This is discussed in further detail during your initial consultation.
Why should I trust you with my photos?
Each party signs a general liability form and confidentiality agreement. I am the only person who works with your photos yet each client receives a confidentiality agreement that I will not share, sell, or misuse your photos. My office is insured, as this is where I take photos offsite to process them. In return, clients legally agree they have the rights to the photos surrendered for backup, and that payment will be submitted according to PTTF policies.