Preserving the Past
The Transition from Physical to Digital Keepsakes
Home videos and pictures are more than just physical objects or digital files. They can, in a moment, encapsule snapshots of joy, love, momentous occasions, laughter, and at times grief. From children's artwork and family photos to milestone videos, each holds a unique story waiting to be revisited. There’s a catch though, and it can be a big one. As our collections grow, so does the challenge of organizing and preserving them for future generations. In this digital era, it can grow so fast that we don’t know how to keep up with it.
One of my all-time favorite things is gathering around the TV with family and close friends watching old home videos. These moments bring laughter, thrills, reminiscence, tears, and nothing fuels my nostalgia more. The thought of losing these priceless memories has taken me on a journey over the years of slowly digitizing large collections from my family and grandparents. I know firsthand after taking on this endeavor how daunting this process can be.
While I will not be going into the nitty gritty of how to digitize every type of media, I will go into the benefits of learning how to do it versus having the service done. Digitizing has been life-giving to me and has helped me slow down to enjoy the little moments. I’ve found and restored countless lost memories of cousins, family friends, and grandparents that have since passed. It’s been wonderful to unearth these treasures for all our enjoyment.
I want to strongly express: doing this project by yourself is not for everyone. I just happen to be incredibly stubborn-- I started this voyage and have vowed to finish it myself. 🚢 🥲 I have almost pulled my hair out on multiple occasions, but I have great news! There are many options and services available to help you on your digitizing journey - I touch on a few of these below!
A note for the skeptics:
No one would ever expect you to get rid of all your keepsakes and only have them in digital form. There is something so special about holding tangible mementos such as a treasured piece of artwork from your childhood, a love letter, or the hat your grandmother wore at her wedding. The goal, as always, is to have a manageable amount of keepsakes that can be truly enjoyed. Keeping a digital record of the excess can be a great tool for those that have a hard time letting go.
We go into the subject of sentimental items deeper in our Freedom of Less blog post if you want to read more on this.
The Benefits of Digitizing Keepsakes
Space-Saving Solution: One of the most significant advantages of digitizing keepsakes is the liberation of physical space. By converting old photos, letters, and documents into digital format, you can free up valuable space in your home while still preserving the essence of these cherished items. Think of how much space you will free up from those clunky VHS tapes! We’ve helped clients get entire closets back after digitizing projects, leaving them with newfound space in their same home.
Preservation: Physical keepsakes are susceptible to wear and tear over time. By digitizing them, you can ensure their longevity and protect them from damage caused by factors like humidity, sunlight, or mishandling.
Accessibility: Boxes and boxes of old tapes and keepsakes serve only as a burden, unable to be enjoyed. No more rummaging through boxes or albums to find that one picture you are desperate to find. No more setting up outdated VHS or other media players, finding converters, or old cords. Digital files can be easily organized, searched, and shared with loved ones at the click of a button.
Enhanced Organization: There are so many digital platforms and software that offer organizational tools allowing you to categorize, tag, and annotate your keepsakes, making it easier to find and enjoy them whenever you desire. I recommend doing some digging on YouTube and Google to find what best would work for you.
How to Digitize Your Keepsakes
1. Gather it together
Start by collecting all the photos, letters, documents, and memorabilia you want to digitize. Sort them into categories to streamline the digitization process. If you have a massive amount and are getting overwhelmed- try just one box at a time. Our Ultimate Guide and Freedom of Less posts are also great resources for when you need help taking that first right step.
2. Assess and decide the best route for you
Honestly evaluate the time and cost of what you want to put into the process before you begin. This can avoid a lot of frustration and headaches that can come from biting off more than you can chew in your current season of life. I love the process of learning how to do techy things and don’t mind the hassle of a slow burn project, but other personality types might itch at the thought.
Option 1: DIY
I have a very large collection I am working through, slowly. Think 10 Large boxes of VHS tapes, miniDV, vinyl records, cassettes, and much more. When choosing to digitize by yourself, it will cost you some money for the proper equipment needed depending on the types of media you are looking to digitize.
I have invested a few hundred dollars on different software, cords, and media players that enable me to do the job. I had an VHS player that still worked, but I had to purchases a few used camcorders and other non digital media players off of eBay to be able to hook them up for transfer.
I learned most everything on YouTube which was of course free. Time? I have devoted probably 150 hours at this point and I am about half way done. It takes time to learn it, mess up a few times, and then get the hang of it.
Option 2: Services
Mail-in digitizing services can range greatly from company to company and type of media you are working with. Depending on the amount you have, it could range from a few hundred dollars to thousands. The amount I have would have been more than $5,000 to digitize it all but I will be looking at around 300 hours of work spread over a year or so to do what they can turn-around in a few weeks, perfectly. I recommend seriously weighing the time vs. cost you would invest before taking the plunge!
A few of the investments that I have made during my DIY Journey:
iMemories specializes in digitizing virtually any form of old media. They charge a fee per piece of media sent in at various rates. They constantly have promotions so the prices can vary but I would say this is one of the mid/higher tier companies out there. Their process achieves beautiful results and are highly integrated with all of your tech, making it super easy to access, share, and enjoy with family and friends.
What do they take?
The core service of iMemories is to digitize old media formats. Whether it’s video tapes, movie films, photos, or slides, iMemories can convert them into digital formats. They handle a wide range of media types, including:
VHS
VHS-C
Betamax
8mm
Super 8
16mm film
Photo prints
Negatives
Slides
How the iMemories Process Works:
Shipping: You can choose to package and ship your media yourself or iMemories offers, for a fee, a crushproof, waterproof, and shock resistant shipping kit to ensure your media stays safe in transit.
Digitization: They convert your media to a digital format using state of the art technology, handling each item with care.
Online Access and Sharing: This is where they really shine. Once digitized, your memories are uploaded to a private, secure online account where you can view and manage them. At this point you have a few options on how you wish to proceed. The platform allows you to download the files to your devices (included), enroll in a subscription based cloud storage (think of an app like Netflix, but with your memories), share them with friends and family via email or social media, and even order custom disks or USB drives.
Be sure to check out Betsy’s experience with iMemories on our saved stories on Instagram “digitize your memories”. She documented the entire process from start to finish!
Parents- this one’s for you!
You know those Picasso-worthy doodles your kiddo brings home every week? If you’re drowning in your child's artistic creations and can’t bear the thought of tossing any of it, Artkive might just be the lifeline you need. It’s the perfect blend of modern tech and parental sentiment, helping you clear the clutter while preserving the precious memories attached to each crayon stroke and glitter splash.
All you do is download the app on your phone, sign up for FREE, snap some pics of the artwork, add some details, and instantly you've got a digital masterpiece that won't clutter up your fridge (or your sanity).
The app even lets you have it categorized by kids name, share collections or individual images with family member.
P.S. In addition to their amazing app, they also offer specialty printing services, by sending in art to be made into books or framed art. Get $20 off your first box purchase with our link!
Goodbye Clutter, Hello Memories!
Digitizing keepsakes isn't just about decluttering-- it's about preserving the stories, emotions, and connections that are embedded within them. In a world where change is constant and time waits for no one, digitizing keepsakes offers us a way to safeguard our most cherished time capsules and pass them down through the ages without the burden of so much physical space being taken up. I can promise you wholeheartedly, it’s a decision you will never regret.
