Preserving Holiday Memories

By Mary Casey-Sturk

In this time of digital media, are we even looking at old photos from years gone by? Can you find your grandmother’s photo albums and if so, are the images too fragile to manage?

During the holiday season, many of us gather to celebrate with dinners, gifts, and conversations-catching up on the last year of events. New babies are fussed over, and engagements are announced. 

Capturing these memories is a key part of many people’s experiences. In today’s world, smiling reunions are posted on Facebook and Instagram and are forever in the digital world, but what about those photos from before the digital age? How do we save them for the generations that come after us or are they forever trapped in a phone?

For this writer, I fondly recall the Christmas Eves spent with my English grandmother. We’d have a traditional Sunday Roast (no matter what the day of the week was) and she’d always make my favorite dessert, cherry chews. Cherry chews were like a blondie full of nuts and fruits, a twist on a fruitcake. I cherish those years and the photos that survive. Pictures of all of us together, myself in mismatched outfits on the days I obviously “dressed myself” and the reminders of the toys I was so enamored with and fortunate to have received. Cars, horses, and Barbies were always high on my list. 

Photographs documenting the holidays, and other events were captured by my grandma on her trusty Kodak camera and I remember her anxiously dropping off film and later picking up her prints at Fotomat. For those who don’t remember Fotomat, it was a chain of drive-through kiosks located in shopping center parking lots. Eventually, this gave way to dropping off film at chain stores, and to our family, free “double prints” were like winning the lottery!

On Sharing and Creating Memorable Images

Living Magazines spoke with Jen Mahuet, owner of Jen Mahuet Photography / Interlinked Legacies who offered tips for preserving and capturing holiday memories and more.

LM: What steps can people take to preserve photographic prints from the past?

“The first step is to ensure that they are in a cool, dark and dry environment. Photos are often relegated to places that aren’t good for them; basements, attics or anywhere they are subject to extreme changes in temperature and humidity.” Shares Mahuet.

“A popular method for organizing and viewing photos was using non-archival photo albums with acidic adhesive backing and plastic film page coverings. What we did to protect our photos contributed to their degradation, causing them to become discolored and brittle.”

“I recommend carefully removing them and placing them into archival, acid-free sleeves and boxes. Wear cotton or nitrile gloves, as oils from our hands can cause damage. However, if they are 50+ years and appear permanently stuck, it may be best to let them remain as removing them may cause more harm than good.” Adding, “The same protocol extends to slides and film negatives.”

“As a backup and to give old images new life, I capture them with high-resolution, flat-bed scanners. This way, I have another copy and am also able to digitally repair, restore, color correct and transform into new pieces that I can enjoy every day. There can be a beautiful copy on my wall as the original is safely preserved elsewhere.” 

LM: What should we be doing today to save our digital footprint?

“I’m concerned that most of the photos taken today don’t leave the digital realm. Digital files are easily lost, accidentally deleted and corrupted. I know of a time when there was a change in a software program and people couldn’t access their photos. This is devastating. I shudder just thinking about it. Literally.” Mahuet continues with this tip, “My images are backed up on removeable hard drives and I bring them back into the “real world” by creating tangible pieces. I can look up and see them on my walls instead of always needing an electronic device to view.”

LM: This is a season of gifting, how can we turn our old photos into gifts to share with loved ones?

“There are so many possibilities! One of my passions is scanning photos and transforming them into pieces of art to keep or give as gifts. They are not only interesting to look at but preserve family history.” says an enthusiastic Mahuet.

“They can be enlarged and beautifully framed. I recommend using museum-quality glass with UV protection, protecting from light damage allowing the best viewing. Images can be pressed onto canvas, metal, or encased in acrylic.” 

Mahuet notes, “Photos can be composited with other photos or documents to tell a story. Recently, I created a piece for a client that included restored photos of her great-grandparents, as well as other documents I discovered through genealogy sites. I found a copy of the ship’s manifest from when they emigrated to the U.S., their marriage certificate, census records, newspaper articles and more.” 

Finally, “A collage with photos of your family members is a great gift, especially when it’s not possible to physically get everyone together. In a world where things are constantly changing, it’s nice to be reminded that we are connected to something bigger that offers stability.”

LM: Can you offer tips for capturing family moments on camera?

 “Keep it fun!”  

“The best photos capture a person’s essence. This reveals itself when they are comfortable and enjoying the moment. When the emotion is genuine, smiles extend past a person’s mouth and light up their whole face. You can feel the joy just looking at the photo.” Mahuet adds, “Shoot candid photos of everyday life. Every day we have with each other is special in its own way. “

“From time to time, let a professional do the heavy lifting and just enjoy being with your family and included in the photo. Some families have tons of pics, but mom or dad are frequently nowhere to be seen, as they are behind the camera.”

During the holiday season or any time, cherish and record your memories for the next generations to share.