PHOTOS
Digitize Your Printed Photos
The photographs you and your family have collected over the years are windows to the past that allow us to experience a moment in history that has been frozen in time. Now those moments can be relived on any device, at any time, from anywhere!
The photographs you and your family have collected over the years are windows to the past that allow us to experience a moment in history that has been frozen in time. Now those moments can be relived on any device, at any time, from anywhere!
ANY PHOTO, ANY SIZE
We routinely digitize common print sizes such as photos measuring 4×6, 5×7, 8×6, 8×12, 10×13, 10×20, 11×14, 20×20, 16×24, 20×30, and Polaroids. We also have great experience in digitizing almost all non-standard sizes, photos that have an asymmetrical cut, or even photos that have been cut into shapes for scrapbooks and art projects.
Every photo represents a moment in the past captured for the future.
These moments are captured and printed in photographs in all different shapes and sizes, displayed proudly in albums, frames, and canvases throughout your home. Chances are you have even more of these moments hidden in boxes or on the shelf of a closet, hidden away, and not easily accessible.
Create a digital archive, you can explore, discover, and share the memories from anywhere at any time, and on any device.
CHOSE THE BEST ORIGINAL
A digital image will not fade or discolor with age. But bear in mind that the digital image will only be as good as the image it is scanned from. If you happen to have the original negatives of your prints, you may want to consider digitizing them as opposed to your prints.
Oftentimes you will find them in the envelopes that the developer put the photos in. There are advantages and drawbacks to both options: Creating a digital image from a negative may be sharper and have more detail, but as a result, can show more grain from the film. A scan from a print may look a little “softer” but show less noise.
PICK THE RIGHT RESOLUTION
300 DPI
You can digitize photographs up to 8” X 10” in size at 300 DPI for only $0.45
If your intent is to digitize your photographs for viewing online and don’t foresee a need to create new prints larger than the original, 300 DPI is the perfect solution (and the most budget-friendly). 300 DPI will allow you to make a future reprint the same size as the original print. For most people, 300 DPI offers more than enough quality and detail.
600 DPI
You can digitize photographs up to 8” X 10” in size at 600 DPI for only $0.65
We usually recommend scanning your photographs at 600 DPI, this represents the best balance of quality and affordability. If you plan to make prints from your digital image, 600 DPI resolution is suitable for both editing and enlarging, 600 DPI will allow you to make reprints twice the size of the original print.
1200 DPI
You can digitize photographs up to 8” X 10” in size at 600 DPI for only $1.25
We also offer archival-quality digital images scanned at 1200 DPI which offers increased flexibility for enlarging, editing, and printing, however, is overkill for most applications. The file sizes are quite large, and we recommend this if you think there will ever be a need to create an oversized print for a poster, sign, or other special use.
YOUR HISTORY IS FADING AWAY
By creating a digital copy of the recorded accounts of your history, you capture the past in a format that is not susceptible to the same risk factors as your analog collection. If you don’t digitize the documents and recordings, you risk losing everything to the passage of time.
When you digitize your collection, not only will it help you preserve the original materials when you make them available online it will also allow you to share your collection, and connect others to your history as well. After all, your History Is Everything
MAKE YOUR PAST, PRESENT
Old photo albums, polaroids, and family photographs contain bits and pieces of your past. When viewed collectively, they tell a story of who you are and where you came from. Without a doubt, you have a stash of family photos or albums taking up space on a bookshelf or hidden away in a hope chest.
Somewhere, someone in your family has a box of old photos, negatives, or slides collecting dust in a closet. There might be a storage box tucked away in your basement that holds a scrapbook of newspaper clippings of your high school athletic achievements, and maybe a yearbook or two. You might possibly have a small shoebox of grandma’s index cards with her recipes written out in her own handwriting.
Letters, military records, family genealogy records, old concert tickets, a showbill from your first play, home movies...all excerpts of your history, recorded in countless formats, stored out of sight in the nooks and crannies of your home. Each piece of this personal history provides a clue as to what makes you, you. Each piece offers insight into the people, places, and events that shaped your life, your family, and your community.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is There A Way To “Guess” At The Number Of Photos I Have?
A good way to “guesstimate” the number of pictures you might have is to measure how many inches of the photos there are. One inch of photos equates to roughly 100 photos. If counting the exact number of photos seems like a daunting task, you can estimate the volume.
If you underestimate the quantity, we will contact you to discuss options to complete the project, or find a logical stopping point.
If you overestimate the quantity, we will provide you with a credit for the difference that can be applied to a future order, allowing you to add more material to your archive, or it can be applied to your "My History Archive" subscription.
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Do I Have To Remove My Photos From The Albums?
If your photos are enclosed in sleeves, photo albums, or frames, we would request that you remove them and place them in envelopes, small boxes or containers, or even sandwich bags.
If you would like us to remove the photos from the albums or sleeves, we would be happy to help! We will remove each photo, note the location from which it was removed, scan the photo, and replace it in the original location. Please note your request on the Identifier Worksheet, and we will contact you with a quote for the additional labor required.
If the photos are stuck to the pages of the album, removing them from the album will cause damage to the photo. Can scan the album’s page or sleeve, and crop the individual pages manually, however, this will produce a lower quality digital image.
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I Have Both Photos And The Film Negatives, Which Will Produce The Best Image?
When choosing a format digitize from, always select the earliest generation of the material available. In the case of photographic materials, if the negatives are available they will not only provide a higher quality image, but they are easier to organize, and often less expensive to scan.
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Will You Digitize The Back Of My Photographs If There Are Notes Or Handwriting?
We certainly can scan the back of photos and create a separate image from it, however, this would be considered a second scan, meaning that a single photo would become 2 files, one for the front, and one for the back, and would need to be taken into account at the time you place the order.
Many people choose to keep the image of the back of the picture to preserve the handwriting, but some individuals prefer to only have the picture scanned, ignoring any writing on the back of the picture as they have already transcribed the writing into the worksheet used to index the collection.
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Do I Have To Label Each Photo Individually?
It is completely up to you. The archive can be as detailed or as simple as you would like to make it. If you would like us to scan batches of items with the same title or description, we make that simple too. Just add the identifier label to the grouping photos and add a single title to your spreadsheet.
Any item in that grouping will share the same title and associated data but scanned in sequential order. The files will be appended with a page, photo, or video number.
For instance: A group of photos from a family trip to Florida may be labeled as “Our Trip To Orlando, June 1977, Photo 1”, “Our Trip To Orlando, June 1977, Photo 2”, etc.
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What Type Of File Will You Send Me?
You can request either a JPEG or TIFF, and additional image formats will be created and used for viewing online
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Do I Own My Digital Images?
Yes, this is your history, and you retain all ownership rights. We will not sell, use, or feature your digital files without your expressed written consent.
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Can I Edit My Photos From My DVD, USB, or Hard drive?
Of course. These are your images to do with them as you see fit. They are not copy protected and can be edited with whatever software you have available.
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How Can I Access My Digital Photos?
You can access your digital archive from anywhere you can connect to the internet via your own "My History Archive".
You will be able to explore the past on Apple devices like the iPhone or iPad, Android-based phones and tablets, Kindle Fires, computers running Windows, Macs, Chromebooks, and streaming devices for your TV.
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How Many Photos Is A "My History Archive" limited to?
As many as you want to add! There is no limit to the amount of history you can add or the size of your collection.
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Can I Share My History With Others?
Yes. We have created tools that allow you to share your digital files, or clip portions of articles or photos for use in social media posts, blogs, or to email or share over a text. You also have the ability to create a Discoveries gallery that will allow you to create collections that you can send a link to the files you have curated through tagging.
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Is There A Backup Of My Archive?
As part of your "My History Archive" subscription, we will maintain backups of your digital collections on our secure servers. You may request a copy of your archive be sent to you in the event your DVD, HDD, or flash drive has been lost or damaged. You will only be charged for the replacement media.
SHIPPING & PACKING TIPS
We will send you sturdy boxes and prepaid return shipping labels once you place your order online.
You will also receive a copy of your order, identifying labels, and instructions on matching your identifier labels to the identifier worksheet.
We will remove each photo, note the location from which it was removed, scan the photo, and replace it in the original location. Please note your request on the Identifier Worksheet, and we will contact you with a quote for the additional labor required.
If the photos are stuck to the pages of the album, removing them from the album will cause damage to the photo. We can scan the album’s page or sleeve, and crop the individual pages manually, however, this will produce a lower quality digital image.
If your photos are enclosed in sleeves, photo albums, or frames, we would request that you remove them and place them in envelopes, small boxes or containers, or even sandwich bags. If you would like us to remove the photos from the albums or sleeves, we would be happy to help!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
History Is Everything is a division of Advantage Archives, a trusted partner of libraries, museums, educational institutions, government agencies, historical societies, and genealogical organizations across the country digitizing well over a million newspaper pages and documents, per month.
We make these valuable collections free to access by the community through an online digital archive platform: The Community History Archives historical documents that were previously limited in their availability.
YOUR HISTORY IS EVERYTHING!
By creating a digital copy of your history captured to film, you capture the past in a format that is not susceptible to the same risk factors as your analog collection. If you don’t digitize the documents and recordings, you risk losing everything to the passage of time. Digitization not only allows you to preserve your past but it also allows you to share and connect others to your history as well. It is easier than you might think!
Preserve It!
The history documented in the pictures, papers, slides, negatives, and recordings you have accumulated over the years represents your personal history. You may not realize it, but that history is fading away a little bit each day. Your photos, home movies, documents, and slides are losing their color, beginning to become brittle, and losing the battle in the war against time. By creating a digital copy of the recorded accounts of your history, you capture the past in a format that is not susceptible to the same risk factors as your analog collection.
Archive It!
The "My History Archive" is an online hosting, search platform, and access tools that power your archive, transforming your collection of files into an archive that can be explored for new discoveries, or for reliving old memories. You can share what you discover with others, and connect with your past in a way you could not with a box of old photos, a scrapbook of clippings, or a DVD of pictures. As more people create open "My History Archive"s a network of free genealogical tools will emerge, allowing for “crowdsourcing” of your family history research.
Share It!
Family history does not need to be locked behind a paywall or exclusively available via a prohibitively expensive subscription service. This is YOUR history, and you can share it with anyone you choose, at any time, and on any device. You can also explore, clip, and share information you find on any "My History Archive" that an owner has made available to use as a free resource for others, or leverage the hundreds of free Community History Archives created by libraries, genealogical societies, heritage centers, and other institutions across the country.
PROTECTING YOUR PAST
As part of your subscription to your "My History Archive", we will maintain backups of your digital collections on our secure servers. You may request a copy of your archive be sent to you in the event your DVD, HDD, the flash drive has been lost or damaged. You will only be charged for the replacement media. You can also make as many duplicates as you would like of the DVD or flash drive, so you can make extra backups or create a copy to share with family and friends.
YOUR HISTORY, YOUR WAY
At no charge, we will provide your choice of either a set of DVDs or an 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB USB flash drive containing your complete archive, allowing you to view the images or videos on your DVD player, or upload them to your favorite photo management cloud service. We also offer an optional 500GB or 1TB USB hard drives that can be purchased for larger collections.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
MY HISTORY ARCHIVE
It is not just history, it is YOUR history!
Subscriptions
Your subscription will be charged monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on the package you choose. Your first 3 months are FREE when you subscribe to an annual plan or get 1 month for FREE with a quarterly subscription.
- Monthly: $7.99
- Quarterly: $18.99
- Annual: $49.99
We accept VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, PayPal, Apple Pay, and debit cards.
Cancel At Any Time
You can cancel your subscription at any time. When you cancel, we will remove any of your files from our servers, and dispose of the backups so you retain full control of your materials. If at any time you would like to resume your subscription, you can simply send us a copy of your DVD or USB Hard Drive, and we will ingest it into your "My History Archive" for a small charge. Remember, this is YOUR history, and you retain all ownership rights. We will not sell, use, or feature your digital files without your expressed written consent.
Protect Your Past
In addition to the ease of access, a "My History Archive" offers you the safest way to protect the history contained on the videos and images you have digitized. As part of your subscription to your "My History Archive", we will maintain backups of your digital collections on our secure servers. You may request a copy of your archive be sent to you in the event your DVD, HDD, the flash drive has been lost or damaged. You will only be charged for the replacement media.
CONTACT US
Do you have any questions? We’re here to help. Our Customer Advocates are standing by to answer any questions you may have. We’re looking forward to connecting with you!
LIVE CHAT
Chat with a Customer Advocate
9am-5pm EST Mon-Fri
EMAIL US
Our email is info@YourDomain.com
We’ll respond within 1 business day
CALL US
You can call us at
+1 (888) 888-8888
9am-5pm EST Mon-Fri
GROW YOUR ARCHIVE
Your personal history isn’t doesn’t begin or end with a single document, book, or the research that was put into developing a family tree. Your history has been recorded in countless formats over the years, from letters, photos, and video, to old family recipes, journals, and newspaper clippings. Not only is it impractical to organize and access your physical original materials, handling them too often leads to damage and eventually, loss. Photos can tear, fade, or discolor. Videos and film can become brittle and crack or break, it is easy to scratch, and plastic cassettes are not as durable as you might think. Paper is fragile, making it vulnerable, and at risk of being lost to the ravages of time.
The originals should be stored properly for safekeeping and handled as little as possible. Fortunately, preserving the original materials does not mean you can’t have access to them. On the contrary, you have the option of making them more accessible than ever before. By digitizing your past, and creating a "My History Archive", you will be able to explore, view, and share your collection from anywhere in the world, at any time, using an Apple iPad, iPhone, Android phone or tablet, computer, Mac, Chromebook, or even a smart TV.
We can archive:
Printed Photos, Slides, Photo Negatives, Scrapbooks, Family History Books, Yearbooks, Journals, Diaries, Family Trees, Genealogical Research, Annuals, Census Records, Local History Books, Programs, Cookbooks, Newsletters, Record Books, Ledgers, Meeting Minutes, Directories, Manuscripts, Visitor Books, Muster Rolls, Documents, Marriage Certificates, Birth Announcements, Obituaries, Death Notices, Children’s Artwork, Postcards, Church Records, Correspondence, Handouts, Recipe Cards, Newspapers, Clippings, Memorabilia, Military Records, Drawings, Awards, Index Cards, Maps, Meeting Minutes, Heritage Collections, Property Records, Abstracts, Schedules, Bulletins, Immigration Records, Public Announcements, Transcripts, Oral Histories, Greeting Cards, Home Movies, Microfilm, Digital Photos...
...and almost anything else you can think of!
Additionally, you can leverage the hundreds of free Community History Archives created by libraries, genealogical societies, heritage centers, and other institutions across the country. We have made it simple to clip articles or other sections of documents and add them to your "My History Archive" with just a few clicks. You can also explore, clip, and share information you find on any "My History Archive" that an owner has made available to use as a free resource for others.