Back-to-School Photos: A Tradition Worth Keeping (and Keeping Safe!)
Well, it’s that time of year again—school is starting! One of my favorite traditions has always been taking a first day of school picture. It’s how I’ve tracked my boys from preschool to high school, and even into college. As our family has grown, my daughters-in-law have joined in, sending me pictures of their kids’ first day too. It’s such a fun way to capture those milestones and watch how everyone changes over time.
But as we dive into the excitement, let’s talk about a few things to keep in mind:
1. Protect Your Privacy
If you’re using those cute chalkboards or printable signs that list details about your child, make sure the information is safe to share. Avoid including the name of their school, teacher, or any location details. And before posting online, consider turning off your photo’s GPS data so it can’t be tracked. Keeping our kids safe while still enjoying these traditions is always the priority.
2. Create a First-Day Album
Make life easier on yourself—set up a digital or printed album for each child. Every year, simply add their first day of school picture to that album. Over time, you’ll have a complete collection of their school years in one place.
3. Celebrate the Journey
When each of my boys graduated from high school, I loved pairing their very first first day photo from preschool with their high school first day photo and their last day of school picture. It was such a special way to see just how far they had come—a beautiful walk through time.
This school year, keep the tradition alive, keep your kids safe, and keep those memories organized. Because one day, you’ll look back and be so glad you did.
How to Store Your Photos Safely: Archival Storage Tips
Preserving family memories is one of the most meaningful things you can do—but if your photos are stashed in hot garages or dusty attics, they’re at serious risk of damage. Whether you're just beginning your journey into photo organization or deep into digitizing your collection, here are essential tips to store your photos the right way.
Get Them Out of the Heat
High temperatures and humidity are the enemies of photographs. Never store your photos in the attic, garage, or basement. These spaces are prone to extreme temperature changes, moisture, and even pests. Instead, look for a temperature-controlled space, such as a bedroom closet or interior room, that’s free from direct sunlight and moisture.
Use Archival-Quality Boxes
To truly safeguard your photo collection, use archival storage boxes. These acid-free, lignin-free containers are designed to protect against deterioration. They provide a stable environment that reduces exposure to light and airborne pollutants, both of which can cause fading and brittleness over time.
You can purchase archival boxes online at retailers like Amazon or specialty shops such as Archival Methods. These are the same types of products professionals use when organizing and returning photo collections to clients.
I’ve personally started moving my entire photo collection into archival boxes—and I highly recommend you do the same. When working with clients, I always return their collections in archival-safe products. It’s a small investment that pays off by preserving generations of memories.
Bonus Tip: Digitize What Matters Most
In addition to physical storage, begin digitizing your most valuable photos. Focus first on the images that would break your heart to lose. Scan them at 300–600 dpi as JPEGs or TIFFs to maintain quality, and back them up using the 3-2-1 method:
3 copies of your data
2 different types of storage media
1 copy stored offsite or in the cloud
By combining archival storage with digital backups, you can ensure your family’s legacy is safe for years to come.