How to Scan Decades of Old Family Photos

Learn to digitize your precious family photos with simple steps that preserve memories for future generations.

  1. Gather Your Supplies. You'll need a scanner (flatbed scanners work best for photos), a clean microfiber cloth, cotton gloves (optional but helpful for very old photos), storage boxes or albums for organizing, and your computer. If you don't own a scanner, many libraries and office supply stores offer scanning services, or you can borrow one from friends or family.
  2. Sort and Organize Before You Start. Don't dive straight into scanning. First, sort your photos by decade, event, or family branch. Remove any that are severely damaged or duplicates you don't want to keep. This step saves time later and helps you scan in a logical order. Consider having family members help identify people and dates while you work.
  3. Clean Your Photos Gently. Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to gently remove dust and fingerprints from each photo before scanning. Never use water or cleaning products. For stubborn spots, try a clean, soft brush. Handle photos by the edges when possible to avoid adding new fingerprints.
  4. Set Up Your Scanner Properly. Clean your scanner glass with a microfiber cloth before starting. Set your scanner to at least 600 DPI for standard photos, or 1200 DPI if you plan to enlarge them later. Save files as JPEG for regular sharing or TIFF for archival quality. Create a folder system on your computer before you begin, like 'Family Photos/1950s/Christmas' to stay organized.
  5. Scan in Batches. Work in small batches to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Scan 20-30 photos at a time, then take a break to rename files and organize them. Many scanners can fit multiple photos on the glass at once, which speeds up the process. Just make sure photos don't touch each other and leave space between them.
  6. Name Your Files Clearly. Use descriptive file names that include dates and people when possible, like '1985_Christmas_Smith_Family.jpg' or '1962_Mom_Dad_Wedding.jpg'. This makes photos much easier to find later. If you don't know exact dates, use approximate years or decades.
  7. Back Up Your Digital Files. Don't put all this work at risk by storing files in only one place. Save copies to an external hard drive, cloud storage service, or both. Consider sharing copies with other family members so multiple people have the memories preserved.