Are You Storing Photos Here? Experts Say It’s a Big Mistake
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Confession: I don’t print a lot of photos these days. I’ve fallen into the modern trap of taking a gazillion pictures on my phone and never printing them. Still, the printed photos I have are dear—my wedding album, nostalgic pics from high school and college, and that dreamy summer in France. Then there’s the family and childhood photo albums I hope to be entrusted with one day.
Did I mention I don’t have a ton of storage space? I would not consider my current photo storage situation ideal (i.e., archival boxes taking up valuable drawer space in a bedroom dresser). On a positive note, I recently learned, at least I am not committing the cardinal sin of photo storage—stashing prints in any place without good climate control. The top two offenders? Attics and basements.
“These areas often have poor temperature and humidity control, making them unsuitable for photo storage,” says Lizzie Russo, brand marketing expert at Nations Photo Lab. “Avoid basements, attics, or areas with poor ventilation unless they are properly dehumidified. It’s best to store your photos in a cool, dry, and dark environment, such as an upstairs closet or a climate-controlled area.”
Country Living staff photographer Becky Luigart-Stayner agrees: “Mold is definitely an enemy of photos! Only good for aged cheeses and country ham,” she says.
Along with finding a dry place, away from any potential sources of water damage, for your photos, Russo suggests storing photos in water-safe bins. “With small prints, these are easy to store in plastic bins. Plus, the plastic case will protect prints from the elements such as water damage. Moisture can cause photos to stick together, warp and even promote mold growth.”
Whatever you do, don’t put photos in shoeboxes (save those for your kids’ diorama project or less finicky items like crafts supplies). “Many people use shoeboxes to store items and often photos but this is something that should be avoided as shoeboxes are made of materials that can damage photos over time, including cardboard, glue, and acids. A shoe box also lacks proper protection against light, humidity and physical damage.”
Another offender that may not be on your radar? Sunlight. “Never place photos on a windowsill or in direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure to sunlight can damage the chemicals in the photo prints, causing them to fade and discolor. Especially near radiators, high temperatures can cause photos to fade, discolor, and become brittle over time,” Russo says.
Finally, for the photos you do decide to print going forward (and for me, queen of the phone photo roll, that would be a very special one) consider metal prints: “If you’re worried about photos fading over time, opt for metal prints that are a durable, long-lasting alternative that doesn’t require the same care as traditional paper prints. They’re resistant to fading and discoloration.”
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