Family photographs are irreplaceable connections to our past—visual records of ancestors, childhood moments, and milestones that can never be recreated. Yet many Australian families unknowingly store and display photos in ways that cause gradual deterioration. Fading, yellowing, and physical damage occur slowly, often noticed only when it's too late to reverse.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about preserving photographs for future generations, from proper framing techniques to storage solutions and digital backup strategies.
Understanding Photo Deterioration
Before protecting photos, it helps to understand what damages them. Armed with this knowledge, you can make informed decisions about display and storage.
Primary Causes of Photo Damage
- Light exposure: UV rays and visible light cause fading and colour shifts, particularly in older prints and those made with dye-based inks
- Humidity: High moisture promotes mould growth and can cause photos to stick together or to glass
- Temperature fluctuations: Repeated expansion and contraction stress photo materials
- Acidic materials: Contact with acidic paper, cardboard, adhesives, or mats causes yellowing and brittleness
- Physical handling: Oils from skin, fingerprints, and careless handling cause permanent damage
- Pests: Silverfish, cockroaches, and other insects can consume photographic materials
Australia's climate presents particular challenges: high UV levels year-round, humidity extremes between coastal and inland areas, and temperature variations that accelerate deterioration. Climate-appropriate storage is essential.
Archival Framing Practices
When displaying precious photographs, use conservation-grade materials and techniques that protect rather than harm.
Essential Archival Materials
- Acid-free mat board: Minimum standard for any photo you wish to preserve. Look for "acid-free" or "archival" labelling
- 100% cotton rag mat: Museum-quality option for irreplaceable photographs. Completely acid-free and lignin-free
- Acid-free backing board: Prevents acid migration from frame backing into your photo
- UV-protective glazing: Blocks 97-99% of harmful UV rays. Essential for displayed photographs
- Conservation-grade tape: If mounting is necessary, use only archival tape designed for conservation
Mounting Methods
How a photo is secured within a frame matters significantly:
- Best practice: Use photo corners that hold the photo without touching its surface
- Acceptable: Archival hinges applied to the top edge only, allowing the photo to hang freely
- Avoid: Adhesive mounting, dry mounting, or any permanent attachment method for original photographs
- Never: Use regular tape, glue, or rubber cement on irreplaceable photos
Key Takeaway
The golden rule of archival framing: everything should be reversible. Any mounting, matting, or framing choice should be undoable without damaging the photograph. This allows future conservation efforts if needed.
Display Considerations
Optimal Display Locations
Where you hang or place framed photos significantly impacts their longevity:
- Avoid direct sunlight: Even UV-protective glass can't block all damage. North and south-facing walls are generally safest in Australia
- Control humidity: Avoid bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries for precious photos
- Stable temperature: Interior walls maintain more consistent temperatures than exterior walls
- Away from heat sources: Don't place photos above radiators, near fireplaces, or in direct path of heating/cooling vents
Rotation Strategy
Museums rotate displayed works to limit cumulative light exposure. Consider similar practices for your most valued photographs:
- Display originals for limited periods, then store them safely
- Create high-quality reproductions for permanent display
- Rotate different photos seasonally to limit individual exposure
Proper Photo Storage
Photos not on display need appropriate storage to remain preserved for future generations.
Storage Materials
- Archival boxes: Acid-free, lignin-free boxes specifically designed for photo storage
- Interleaving paper: Place acid-free tissue between photos to prevent sticking and transfer
- Archival sleeves: Individual sleeves protect photos from physical contact and handling
- Photo albums: If using albums, ensure they have acid-free pages and photo-safe adhesives or corners
Store photographs vertically like files in a cabinet rather than stacking them horizontally. This prevents compression damage and makes individual photos accessible without disturbing others.
Storage Location
- Avoid: Attics (temperature extremes), basements (moisture), garages (fluctuations and pests)
- Ideal: Interior closets in climate-controlled living spaces
- Temperature: Stable, cool conditions (under 24°C) are best
- Humidity: Aim for 30-40% relative humidity
- Elevation: Store boxes off the floor to protect from potential flooding
Handling Photographs Safely
Even careful handling can cause cumulative damage. Adopt these museum-standard practices:
- Wear cotton gloves: Prevents transfer of oils and acids from skin
- Handle by edges only: Never touch the image surface
- Work on clean surfaces: Ensure work areas are free of debris that could scratch photos
- Support fully: When moving photos, support the entire surface—never hold by a corner or edge
- Wash hands: If gloves aren't available, ensure hands are freshly washed and completely dry
Creating Digital Backups
Digitisation provides insurance against physical loss while making photos accessible to family members worldwide.
Scanning Guidelines
- Resolution: Scan at minimum 300 DPI for standard prints; 600+ DPI for small or damaged photos you may need to enlarge
- Format: Save master files as TIFF (uncompressed) for archival purposes; create JPEG copies for everyday sharing
- Colour depth: Use 24-bit colour or higher for colour photos; 8-bit grayscale for black and white
- Clean scanner: Dust on the scanner glass appears in every scan—clean before each session
Digital Storage Strategy
Digital files need protection too—follow the 3-2-1 backup rule:
- 3 copies: Maintain at least three copies of your digital archive
- 2 different media types: Use different storage technologies (e.g., external hard drive AND cloud storage)
- 1 offsite location: Keep at least one copy in a different physical location
File Organisation
- Use consistent, descriptive file names including dates when known
- Create folder structures by date, event, or family branch
- Add metadata and tags to aid future searching
- Consider dedicated photo management software for large collections
Dealing with Damaged Photos
If you discover photos already showing damage:
- Minor fading: Digitise and store originals properly; digital restoration can improve appearance of scans
- Sticking to glass: Do not attempt to force separation—consult a professional conservator
- Tears or creases: Avoid tape repairs; store flat in archival sleeves and consult a conservator for valuable items
- Mould: Isolate affected photos immediately; professional treatment may be possible
For irreplaceable historical photographs showing significant damage, consult a professional photo conservator. The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) maintains a directory of qualified conservators throughout Australia.
Creating a Preservation Plan
Tackle photo preservation systematically:
- Survey your collection: Identify what you have and assess condition
- Prioritise: Focus first on oldest, most fragile, or most irreplaceable items
- Digitise at-risk photos: Create digital backups of priority items
- Upgrade storage: Move photos into archival-quality materials
- Improve display conditions: Reframe displayed photos with conservation materials
- Establish ongoing care: Check stored photos annually; maintain backup systems
Preserving family photographs is one of the most meaningful things you can do for future generations. With proper care, the images that document your family's history can survive for centuries, connecting your descendants to their heritage in powerful, visual ways.
Looking for archival-quality frames to protect your treasured photos? Browse our selection featuring frames with UV-protective glazing and conservation-friendly construction.