How to (finally) Digitize Your Family’s (entire) Photo Collection
Should You Scan Your Photos Yourself or Outsource? My Experience & What to Consider
A couple of years ago, I decided to take on a huge project—I was going to scan my entire family photo collection.
This was the late 2010s, so needless to say, we were already living in a world where our photos were instantly accessible on our phones. But for those of us born before the early 2000s, most of our memories aren’t digital. They’re printed. And if you’re like my family, those prints are scattered everywhere—in albums, envelopes, boxes, drawers…in different rooms in the house…and all completely out of order.
It’s no one’s fault. After decades of taking photos without a consistent way to sort and organize the prints, most families end up with a mix of different storage methods. Some of your photos might be in albums, others might’ve stayed in their original envelopes, and others may be tucked away in forgotten corners of the house.
I thought: Wouldn’t it be nice to have all of these photos consolidated in one place? Digitized so I wouldn’t have to flip through a physical album just to find a single picture?
That’s when I decided to outsource my scanning—and I’m so glad I did.
Why I Chose to Use a Scanning Service
We had over 5,000 photos to scan. Could I have done it myself? Sure. But realistically:
I didn’t own a scanner.
I didn’t have the space to set one up long-term. (Clearing off the dining table every time I wanted to scan? No thanks.)
I would’ve been scanning for years—only able to work nights and weekends.
Instead, I sent my family’s photos to a professional scanning company. They had the right equipment, the expertise, and—most importantly—the efficiency. What would’ve taken me years to finish was done in a fraction of the time.
Yes, outsourcing is an investment, but looking back, it paid for itself in time saved. I didn’t want this to drag on for years. I wanted to get the finished project sooner.
Should You DIY or Outsource? Ask Yourself These Questions:
If you’re on the fence about whether to scan your photos yourself or outsource, here are some key things to consider:
Do you have the time? Scanning is tedious and time-consuming. If you have thousands of photos, this project could take months—or even years.
Do you have the right scanner? If not, do you know which scanner to get? What type? Do you have time to learn how to use it properly? And will you ever use it again after this project is done?
Do you have space? Scanning requires a dedicated setup. If you don’t have a desk or table you can leave undisturbed, the constant setup and teardown will slow you down.
Are you okay with waiting? If you scan yourself, expect a long process. If you outsource, it’s done quickly and professionally.
For me, outsourcing was the best decision—it saved me time, effort, and stress.
How My Scanned Photos Changed Everything
Once my photos were digitized, I stored them:
On an external hard drive – Organized chronologically for easy access.
On the cloud – So they’re backed up in multiple places and accessible from anywhere.
In photo boxes – Keeping my physical prints safe and neatly stored.
Now, any time I need a picture, I can find it in seconds—right from my phone (cloud), or a computer (on a hard drive). Plus, if technology ever fails, I still have the original hard copy (now stored in photo boxes, not photo albums). On the flip side, in the case of any natural disaster or damage, I can always find the scanned versions on my phone or hard drive.
Want to Outsource? I Can Help.
Since then, I’ve taken courses, done research, compared different scanners, and have invested in the equipment needed so that I could scan some of my extended family’s photos. Because it’s changed my life so positively, I wanted to help other families struggling with unorganized photos too.
If you’re ready to digitize your photos but don’t want to deal with the hassle of scanning them yourself, I can help.
Most scanning companies require you to ship your precious photos—which can feel risky. Others will scan your photos but return them as an unorganized digital mess, making it just as difficult to find what you need.
I do things differently.
If you’re in the Hot Springs area, I’ll personally pick up your photos so you don’t have to worry about mailing them. And when you get them back, they won’t just be scanned—they’ll be organized, making it easy for you to find and enjoy them.
Ready to get started? Let’s make sure your memories are preserved for generations to come. Click here to fill out an Inquiry form.
-Andrea