How To Digitize Photos: 6 Simple Scanning Steps

Imagine revisiting the laughter of a childhood birthday party, the thrill of a first kiss, or the joy of a newborn's first smile. Photos capture precious moments, preserving them for years to come, but physical photos can fade, deteriorate, or even be lost.

Moisture, heat, and light can all damage stored physical photos, plus organizing and finding specific ones can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Digitizing your photos offers a solution to these problems. By converting your physical photos into digital files, you can protect them from damage, organize them efficiently, and share them easily with loved ones.

If you’ve been putting off scanning, digitizing, and organizing your old photos because it seems too technical, don’t worry—this simple guide will walk you through everything you need to know to easily digitize your photos and reconnect through those special memories.

1. Gather and organize your photos

The first step in digitizing your photos is gathering them from their various hiding spots. Whether they’re in old albums, shoeboxes, or tucked away in drawers, start by collecting everything in one place.

Start with the albums first, as they are likely to be the most organized of all your prints. You may find most of the photos you need for your current project there and can then tackle other piles later.

Once you've gathered all your photos, it’s time to organize them. Separate them into categories and themes, such as life events, vacations, or milestones. This will make the scanning process more efficient.

Aim to scan in batches. About 10 to 15 photos at a time are ideal for beginners and help break the process into manageable pieces. Sift out unneeded or damaged photos with stains, folds, or tears that won’t be usable. By organizing first, you’ll ensure your digital collection is easy to navigate later on.

Tip: Don’t be shy—ask family members who might be interested in helping with the process to join you. Their involvement can make the task more enjoyable and efficient.

2. Choose the right equipment

Selecting the right equipment is essential to get the best digital copies of your photos. Depending on your needs and budget, you have several options:

• Flatbed scanners: Ideal for high-quality scans, flatbed scanners offer excellent resolution and are perfect for preserving detail in older or damaged photos. Models like the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX 1500 or the Epson WorkForce ES-400 are particularly effective for scanning large volumes quickly, though they can be more expensive, ranging from $100 to $600 or more.
• Multi-function printers: If you already own a printer with a scanning feature, this can be a convenient and cost-effective option for casual scanning. You can plan on spending $100 to $300 for a decent home copier/scanner. Notable models include the HP Envy Pro 6820 and the Canon PIXMA TS8320. Both devices offer reliable scanning capabilities along with excellent print quality.
• Smartphone apps: For a quick and easy method, apps like Google PhotoScan can turn your smartphone into a portable scanner. While they might not match the quality of traditional scanners, they are great for on-the-go digitization and are often free.

Tip: Check for software updates for your scanning equipment regularly to make sure it's not too outdated to work with your device’s operating system.

3. Prepare your photos for scanning

For high-quality digital copies, you’ll want to prepare your photos before scanning them. Proper preparation helps avoid common scanning issues and improves the overall clarity and detail of your images.

• Clean your photos: Use a soft, lint-free cloth or a photo-safe brush to gently remove dust and debris from your photos. This prevents particles from interfering with the scan.
• Flatten your photos: If your photos are curled or bent, flatten them carefully. Place them under a heavy book or use a photo-safe press to avoid damaging the images.
• Remove stains and marks: For visible stains or marks, use a photo-safe cleaning solution to gently clean them. Avoid aggressive cleaning methods to prevent further damage.
• Organize into batches: Group your photos into manageable batches by themes or projects. This will streamline the scanning process and help maintain organization.

Tip: Handle photos by the edges to prevent fingerprints and smudges from affecting the image quality. If you encounter smudges, try using photo-safe wipes specifically designed for cleaning prints. These wipes can effectively remove smudges without damaging the surface of your photos.

4. Start your photo scanning process

With your scanner set up and your photos organized, you’re ready to begin scanning. Work in small batches to avoid feeling overwhelmed, and carefully place each photo on the scanner bed, ensuring it’s aligned correctly.

Resolution is crucial for capturing detailed images. Most scanners won’t default to 1200 DPI (dots per inch), so you may have to manually adjust this setting to achieve high-quality results.

After scanning, preview the images to confirm the results. Adjust your scanner’s settings or photo placement if they’re too dark, blurry, or have unwanted glare.

If you’re scanning a damaged photo, clean off the dust, lay it flat, and scan it without attempting restoration. For post-scan fixes, products like inPixio, Adobe, and Corel can help repair tears, creases, and stains, improving your final digital copies.

Tip: Save your scanned images in a lossless format like TIFF for archiving purposes, and use JPEG for sharing and everyday use to balance quality and file size.

5. Organize and store digitally

After scanning, organizing your digital photos is key to maintaining order. Create folders based on categories such as events, dates, or people, reflecting the system you used for physical photos. This will streamline finding specific images later.

To manage and store your digital collection efficiently, use tools like Google Photos, which offers both free and premium storage options. Its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop features simplify organizing and sharing your photos.

For added security, back up your photos on an external hard drive and use cloud storage services like Dropbox. Regular backups will safeguard your memories against data loss, protecting them against device issues or accidental deletions.

Tip: Set up automated backup schedules for both cloud storage and external drives to make sure your devices consistently save new photos without manual intervention.

6. Enhance and share

With your photos digitized and organized, the next step is enhancement. Use photo-editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or free alternatives like GIMP to adjust colors, correct blemishes, and restore faded images. Apps like Google Photos and Lightroom offer easy-to-use filters for quick edits that can rejuvenate your photos with minimal effort.

Once your images are enhanced, it's time to share them. You can create personalized albums, design slideshows, or even print photo book(s) for memorable gifts. Whether you’re sending digital links or crafting physical keepsakes, sharing your revitalized memories with loved ones has never been easier.

Tip: When sharing online, consider resizing your photos to balance quality with loading times, especially for social media or email attachments.

Why digitize your photos?

Digitizing your photos offers numerous benefits beyond just preserving them for the future. Physical photos are vulnerable to damage from fading, water, or accidental tears, but digitizing them protects your memories from these risks. Digital photos also let you share your favorite moments with friends and family instantly, whether through social media, email, or custom-made gifts.

Additionally, once your photos are digitized, you can easily transform them into physical keepsakes such as beautifully crafted photo books, stunning prints, and personalized calendars. These tangible items serve as lasting mementos and make for heartfelt gifts for loved ones and stylish home decor.

With the help of various online services and platforms, preserving, organizing, and sharing your digital memories has never been easier. You can customize every detail to suit your preferences and ensure your treasured moments are easily accessible and beautifully displayed.

Should you hire an expert to digitize old photos?

If you’ve decided that scanning your old photos yourself isn’t feasible, you’re not alone. Sometimes, opting for professional help is the best way to preserve your cherished memories without the hassle.

If it’s good enough for Martha Stewart, it’s probably a great choice for you, too.

Where to start? Legacybox, the largest digitizing company globally, excels with its mail-in service, making the process straightforward and efficient. Pair this with Mixbook, and you’ve got a winning combination that guides your project from start to finish, offering flexibility and creative control.

Mixbook stands out for those looking to create a photo book with editing and design control. Our platform lets you customize your book extensively—adjusting page layouts, changing fonts, and even collaborating with friends and family.

Investing in professional services saves you time and essentially guarantees high-quality results. If your schedule is tight (as it is for many), entrusting your valuable memories to experts is a smart and rewarding choice.

Create a timeless keepsake with Mixbook

Transform your cherished memories into a timeless keepsake with Mixbook. Whether you’re preserving family photos or special occasions, Mixbook makes it easy to digitize and celebrate your moments.

With Mixbook Studio, you can turn your digital photos into beautifully crafted photo books, custom cards, and more. Explore a variety of designs and customization options to create a unique and personalized collection that showcases your favorite memories. Digitizing your photos might take some effort, but creating lasting keepsakes with Mixbook is easy.