Picturli

With the weather changing, it's time to start thinking about the holidays! Have you given gift giving a thought yet? Yes? No?⁠ ⁠ As you may have caught on, here at Picturli, we love a photo book. And we strongly believe there is no better gift than the gift of sharing & reliving life's most precious moments!⁠ ⁠ Follow along in our photo book series to learn how to design a book that is not only meaningful, but one that is truly gorgeous!⁠

Shana Tova! Wishing you a sweet & meaningful new year 🍯🍏

You did it!! You made it to the end of your 30 days (and technically you’re adding one by watching this reel… oops!) As we wrap up our 30 Days of Tips and Inspiration, we want to leave you with one final piece of advice as you continue your journey to organize and preserve your photos: Schedule regular maintenance!⁠ ⁠ Thank you for joining us!!!⁠

⁠ The holidays are around the corner and you know what that means... it's time to take your hard work and turn your fabulous photos into gifts!⁠ ⁠ As you organize your photos, you’re bound to find some that are simply too special to keep tucked away. Consider selecting a few frame-worthy images to display on your walls or turn into thoughtful photo gifts for loved ones. As you know, we love a photo book!⁠

In the last two decades, the way we share photos and tell our family stories has transformed dramatically, thanks to advancements in technology, the internet, and social media. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram make it easy to share photos and stories with the world, while sites like Ancestry.com allow us to explore our heritage. For managing large photo collections, services like Flickr have become go-to solutions.⁠ However, with these digital advancements come concerns about privacy, security, and the long-term preservation of our online memories. So, what’s the best way to safeguard your family’s story for the future?⁠

Let’s start thinking outside the box! Do you have old videos that need transferring? Do you have them already digitized but don’t know what to do with them? Let us help you!⁠

While digital images require careful management, along with a solid 3-2-1 backup plan and ongoing maintenance to ensure their longevity, physical photo albums or books offer something unique. They increase the chances that your family’s story and precious memories will be passed down through generations. Printed photo books, scrapbooks, and albums don’t rely on technology to be enjoyed. No internet connection is needed, and there’s no need to convert them to new formats years down the road. By combining images and words into a narrative, you create a historical record for future generations that can be celebrated and cherished today.

In a compelling 2013 article by Bruce Feiler in The New York Times, titled "The Stories That Bind Us," he highlights the power of family narratives. Families who actively share and refine their stories—celebrating the good times and showing resilience during challenges—tend to raise children with greater self-confidence. Simply knowing answers to questions like "Where did your parents grow up?" "What’s the story of your birth?" or "Has your family faced any significant challenges?" turned out to be one of the best indicators of a child's mental well-being and happiness. The more children know about their family’s history, the more they feel in control of their lives, the higher their self-esteem, and the stronger their belief in their family’s cohesion and strength. And this isn’t just true for children—it applies to adults too!

Let’s not forget one of the most important parts of your memory collection: your home movies!⁠ ⁠ Remember that bulky VCR camera you used to capture your baby’s first steps? Or the family gatherings where grandpa would break out the projector for home movies? How long has it been since you’ve had a chance to enjoy these priceless moments? If it’s been a while, it’s time to take action. Films and magnetic tapes, like VHS, are fragile and need attention before it’s too late. VHS tapes begin to degrade after about ten years, while old film reels, though longer-lasting, still face their own issues. If your film smells like vinegar or has white or green particles on it, it's time to move quickly and consult a professional conversion service... like us!⁠

With your analog collection now organized (or in progress), it's time to consider scanning some or all of these precious memories. Do you have posters? Children's artwork? Old home videos?⁠ ⁠ Let's talk about the full collection and how to digitize it all to add to your history!⁠