Risk Management for Old Photos & Other Stuff

I participated in a business expo this past weekend and had a chance to talk with some strangers as well as people that I know about Our Heritage Vault. There was a general feeling that life is so much easier with digital photographs and all the things that you can easily do with them, although several people said they don't do much. (I have one friend who just keeps buying more and more multimedia cards to continue taking photos but does not download them to a computer or photo service--very risky behavior.)

People didn't talk much about old photographs though. They know that they'd hate to lose them. They just don't have the time or money to convert them to electronic files and store them in independent, multiple places like a safe deposit box, on the cloud, as well as on a external hard drive.

We encourage everyone to manage the risk of losing the physical elements of treasured memories. Take some time to just prioritize what you might miss most . . . the wedding photo on the wall, the kids photos on the bookcase, a grandchild's first crayon drawing, or an aunt's recipe for your favorite dessert. One person said that she has so much stuff--boxes of memories. Okay, maybe she has more than most of us, but the barrier remains the same. Where do I start?

I asked her, "What are your favorite 24 photographs?" Photographs tell stories and being able to tell 24 stories from photographs is a good place to start. You can add more related photos to further articulate a particular story and edit (toss out) those photos that really don't enhance a story.

It may be a big job, so think about doing it with someone who may appreciate the stories. If that person doesn't appreciate a specific story, it may help you identify those that are more important or interesting. Family gatherings, like Thanksgiving, may give you a chance to look at a some old photos too.

WARNING: Depending upon the quantity of your old photos, this can be a daunting exercise. Take it slow. Make a plan. Make it manageable. And most important, make it enjoyable by sharing with others.