How to Preserve Photos and Why It's So Important

Posted by Lauren

This article will provide you with tips to help you preserve any photos you have from Facebook photos to any other personal photos that you print. It will also give you instructions for how to store photos for preservation.

Let me first begin with some brief advice on how to help preserve your photos even before you print them. Believe it or not there are steps you can take before you print your photos that are just as important as the ones you take after. 

First, make sure that you are printing your photos from a professional photo printer. The chemicals and paper that are used are meant to have longevity and maintain the quality of the print. Photos printed on real photo paper using real photo paper processing can last up to 100 years when exposed to light and 200 years when stored in the dark. Second, print two copies of every photo, one to display/enjoy and one to preserve. This allows you to store a second copy of the photo to protect it from damage and preserve it for future generations.

The first thing to remember is you want to store photos in a cool, dark, dry place with low humidity. The temperature at which you keep your house should be fine. Never store your photos in an attic, basement, or other area where the temperature isn't regulated. Extreme hot and cold can damage photos. Also, these areas are more likely to have bugs, mice, and other critters that could get to your photos and damage them.

Because these are photos you are going to store, be careful not to expose them to the oil on your fingers by touching them. You also want to store them as soon as possible after they are printed to prevent the accumulation of dust or any other debris. 

Storing Photos

As stated above, you want to make sure that you are choosing the proper environment to store your photos. Next, choose a storage box that is acid and lignin  free. This helps with preservation. Here is one such box that can be used for storage: http://www.photostasher.com/Boutique-Packaging.htm. 

If you want to label or identify the back of your photos then make sure you use the proper pen. Do not use pencils or ballpoint pens. Use a felt tip marker to carefully write on the back of your prints. Place each photo between a piece of acid free paper made for storing photos. Don't forget to place paper over the top photo before closing the box.

Reasons to Store Copies of Photos

I know that it may seem tedious and redundant to store an extra copy of your photos, and it's understandable if you don't want to do this for every photo you print. However, any photo that you want to keep as a memory for yourself or future generations needs to be stored and preserved properly.

PLEASE, do not assume that your photos will be stored digitally! Computers crash, people deactivate their Facebook accounts, and technology is always changing. You're better off to preserve them yourself. You can even store them in a safe deposit box at your bank or fire proof safe at your home.

Finally, you may think that storing photos in an album or a frame is preserving them, but that isn't the case. Photo albums are often made of harsh glues and chemicals that will damage your photos over time. Photos can also stick to the glass of frames and plastic coverings of albums.

Creative Ways to Display Photos from Facebook

Posted by Lauren

It's important to print Facebook photos for many reasons. You never know when you may no longer be able to access certain photos on Facebook, and having a copy of cherished photos ensures that they will never be lost. Photos are also enjoyed more fully when you have a physical copy of them on professional photo paper. While you may agree that it is important to print Facebook photos, the idea of just printing photos to keep may not be very appealing. Even if you like to print photos you may want to consider other ways to enjoy photos from Facebook. This article will give you some suggestions for other ways to display Facebook photos in addition to printing 4x6's or 5x7's.

Photo Mousepads with Changeable 5x7 Photo- Photo mousepads are a great way to display a photo from Facebook. If you buy a mousepad that allows you to change the photo, then you can print multiple photos and alternate the photo in your mousepad. Make your mousepad photos look even better by printing them on Metallic Photo Paper. Mousepads with a non-glare top make it easier to see the photo.

Photo Calendars & Dry Erase Boards- Photo calendars and dry erase boards are creative ways to display Facebook photos, especially if you have multiple photos that you want to enjoy together. Dry erase boards and calendars come in a variety of designs and allow you to place several photos in different areas including on the background. Another great option to display Facebook photos is in a monthly calendar. Choose a photo for each month of the year and print your calendar on Metallic Photo Paper to give it even more character.

Stainless Steel Photo Travel Mugs- What's a better way to appreciate a Facebook photo or photos than while you're having your morning coffee at work? You can put one or three photos on a photo travel mug and choose from different backgrounds. Stainless steel travel mugs come with or without a handle and are insulated for cold or hot beverages.

Photo Jewlery- Photo jewelry is a great way to appreciate cherished Facebook photos. It also makes great photo gifts for mothers, grandmothers, and graduates. Choose a Memory Photo Bracelet, Live, Laugh, Love Portrait Charm Bracelet, 3 Tone Toggle Portrait Charm Bracelet, or Beaded Bracelet to be reminded of a special memory throughout the day. Forget-me-knot Photo Bandz are also great ways to display photos and are like the popular silly bandz. Portrait Pendant Necklaces and Four Frame Photo Watches are other pieces of photo jewelry that can display Facebook photos.

I hope that these suggestions will help inspire you to display your Facebook photos in different ways, but I still want to encourage you to keep prints of photos from Facebook that are important to you as well.

Can you think of any other ways to appreciate Facebook photos? I would love to hear from you!

Father's Day Photo Gift Ideas

Posted by Lauren

With Father's Day fast approaching (June 19th in case you weren't sure) many are trying to find the perfect gift for dad. The requirements for the perfect gift usually include making sure the gift is unique and special, but not too expensive. One type of gift that meets these two requirements is a photo gift. If you've never considered buying your father a photo gift before, then this may seem like a great idea or you may be unsure. Either way, this article will give you useful information about photo gifts for Father's Day, from which photos to choose to different photo gift ideas.

Source: Microsoft Office

The first step is to decide which photo (or photos depending on the gift you choose) that you want to use. You will want to choose photos that are sentimental, will make him reminisce, and most importantly make him smile! Some ideas for photos include: photos of grandchildren, graduation, newborns, anniversaries, holidays, family portraits, etc.

Once you have several photos to choose from you will need to choose the perfect photo gift.

Unless you are a professional photographer, chances are you don't know much about mounted photo prints. They are a great way to display photos and are essential if you are making a large print to hang on the wall. Blowing up a photo for dad and mounting it makes a great Father's Day gift that he can display and enjoy forever. Any professional photo printer will have different mounting options to choose from. Popular mounting options include: solid black artboard, easel back, black core gatorfoam board, and masonite.

Canvases make amazing photo gifts as well. Especially canvases made using real photo paper and hand mounted to canvas. If you choose a canvas print, make sure to order it on Metallic Photo Paper to make it even more breathtaking. A colorful photo is particularly stunning on a metallic canvas. If you choose to give your father a canvas print for Father's Day, it will be a special gift that he cherishes forever.

Both photo prints on mounts and canvases come in a variety of sizes from 8x8 to 30x40. These are the two best ways to display large versions of a special photo that will really make an impact on your dad. However, the following are other photo gifts that he would also enjoy.

A photo in a frame may seem like a less than exciting gift to give your father for Father's Day. However, there are many frames that are one of a kind ways to display a photo on a desk or coffee table. For example, Desktop Swivel Frames are contemporary with black and metal borders. You can put a photo on either side and the frame swivels so that you can easily see the photo on the other side. Magnetic Floating Frames also have photos on either side of the frame that you can easily turn with the touch of your hand. The black frame is suspended between the bottom and top of the base by magnets. This frame is very sophisticated and makes a great accessory in a home or office.

Photo books are a great gift for dad if you have chosen multiple photos. Photo books come in a variety of sizes from small 2x3 books to larger 10x12 photo books. You can also choose from more casual books to books with photos mounted on rigid, solid black pages. Don't underestimate the sentimental value a photo book will have to your father.

Other photo gifts for Father's Day include mousepads and mugs. Mousepads with changeable photos are ideal because you can give your father several photos to insert under the cover of the mousepad. Stainless Steel Photo Travel Mugs make great Father's Day gifts. You can put one or three photos on the outside of the mug and choose between a mug with a handle or one without.

No matter which photo gift you choose, your father is sure to appreciate your thoughtfulness in picking a gift that you uniquely created for him.

Which Facebook Photos You Should Print

Posted by Lauren

Take a minute and think about all of the photos that you come across on Facebook each time you login. Your news feed is constantly being updated with new photos that your friends have posted.

Now think about all of the photos that have been posted on Facebook since you first opened your account that are meaningful to you. Chances are there are a lot of them. 

Have you ever considered printing them? Would you rather just let Facebook store them for you? There are many reasons to print Facebook photos including the following: you are very unlikely to look at old photos in the future, the value of a print appreciates over time, there's a huge difference between experiencing a photo as a print and seeing it on a computer screen, and people delete and deactivate their accounts. For a more in depth analysis of this topic please visit http://blog.photostasher.com/2011/02/5-reasons-you-must-print-facebook.html.

Now that you have a better understanding of why you should print Facebook photos, another consideration is how to determine which photos you need to print. The following are guidelines and tips for how to determine which Facebook photos you should print. If you have your own method then that's great. By all means, continue to use it. These are just the ones I use to separate photos I truly care about from the ones I don't.

1. Photos that tug at your heartstrings- If photos create strong emotions of love, companionship, happiness, etc. when you look at them then they are photos you do not want to be buried at the bottom of the constantly growing pile of photos stored on Facebook. These are also photos that when viewed as high quality prints will be experienced in a way that is not possible on a computer screen. This brings a whole new element to the memories they represent. Examples of these types of photos include: photos of loved ones, photos of children, photos of a significant time in your life, photos of your friends, etc.

2. Photos to share with future generations- If there are photos that you or one of your friends post that are special memories that you will want to share with your children or future generations, then these are photos you will want to print. These photos include holiday get togethers, graudations, births, family reunions, etc. Do you really want these photos to stay on Facebook where they can't be fully appreciated? These photos are best enjoyed in photo albums that you can pick up off the coffee table and relive with your family. While it may be slightly morbid and depressing to consider, years from now when you're no longer here, how can your family appreciate the photos on your Facebook profile? Would you rather them have an album full of those precious photos or leave them on Facebook where they are nearly if not entirely impossible to access?

3. Photos that are uniquely beautiful and true works of art- Everyone has taken photos of sunsets, flowers, and other photos that are uniquely beautiful and can be considered works of art. We are in awe of their beauty and appreciate the calm that we feel when looking at them. These are photos that are much more appreciated as large mounted prints or on canvas. At the very least, you can display these photos in frames around your house to be appreciated by you and your guests.

4. Photos that are funny, silly, and make you laugh- These may not be photos that you would typically print, but they are sure to make you smile. Why not put all of those funny photos in an album to pick up when you are in a bad mood or just need a good laugh?

5. Photos that make you stop, think, and reminisce- If you are looking at any photo and you stop to enjoy it then this is a photo you will want to print. These type of photos bring up memories and emotions that are important to you and represent a special time in your life. There are many photos that you will flip through and pass over on Facebook, but there are many others that are important memories that you must preserve.

Facebook is a great forum for storing everyday photos that you want to share. It's also a great place to share your most cherished memories with others. The difference is if you don't print the photos that capture precious memories, then it will be difficult to appreciate them fully or have them for the future.