Preserving Photographs: A Practical Guide
Photographs are some of the most treasured items in any personal or institutional collection. Whether you're looking at a studio portrait from 1880 or a Polaroid from your childhood, photographs have a way of collapsing time. But they’re also some of the most fragile materials in our care. This guide breaks down practical ways to care for photographs, with an eye toward long-term preservation, whether you’re working with family photos or historical archives.
A Brief History of Photography
The history of photography started in the 1830s with Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in France, who captured images on pewter plates. His collaborator, Louis Daguerre, refined this into the daguerreotype process, which was wildly popular through the mid-19th century. At the same time in England, Henry Fox Talbot was experimenting with paper-based processes, including salted paper prints and the calotype, which was the first negative-positive system. This innovation made it possible to produce multiple copies from a single image, something daguerreotypes couldn't do.
Knowing the history of how a photograph was made helps us understand how to care for it. Metal-based images behave differently than paper prints, and glass negatives pose their own risks.
Environment Matters
Photographs are sensitive to environmental changes. They don’t do well in humid basements or attics with major temperature swings. Ideally, keep them somewhere with good ventilation and stable humidity. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can off-gas from things like furniture, adhesives, and paints, also pose a threat to long-term preservation. Photographs benefit from being stored in spaces with filtered air and consistent climate control.
Handling Photographs
This one’s simple: don’t touch the image. Skin oils leave marks that might not show up right away but can cause damage over time. Use clean, dry hands or wear gloves made of cotton or nitrile. If you’re flipping through prints or negatives, don’t drag them across each other. Always lift and support the item fully.
Proper Storage Materials
Photographs should be stored in enclosures that protect them from abrasion, dust, and pollutants. The best materials are chemically stable, including archival-quality paper and certain plastics.
Polyester (aka Mylar, Melinex, or Terphane): This clear plastic is stable and easy to handle. It’s typically found in L-shaped sleeves and works well for individual prints. Just be aware that polyester can build up an electrostatic charge, so handle with care.
Polyethylene: A less rigid alternative to polyester, it’s cheaper and works well for storing larger quantities of photos. It’s not quite as durable but gets the job done for everyday use.
Paper sleeves or folders: These are great if humidity is a concern, since they don’t seal in moisture. Just be sure the paper is acid-free and ideally buffered to help protect the image over time.
Special Formats
Some photographic materials need extra care. Here’s how to approach them:
Negatives: Plastic sheets are widely available at archival supply stores. Look for ones that are labeled archival grade, though keep in mind there’s no enforced standard for this label. Avoid glassine sleeves in humid environments — they can stick or cause damage.
Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, and Tintypes: These early formats were created without a negative, meaning the image is directly on a metal or glass support. If they’re in cases, don’t try to remove them. Instead, wrap them in acid-free, buffered tissue and store them in sturdy boxes. These types of photographs can be incredibly fragile.
Glass plate negatives: Always wear gloves. Use a four-flap enclosure, which wraps around the plate without putting pressure on the emulsion. Store them vertically, on their long side, in a box with padding.
Scrapbooks and heirloom photo albums: These are tricky. Do not try to fix them, remove items, or flatten pages. Store them flat in a box that fits the book’s dimensions. If you need to digitize them, use a standing book scanner or take overhead photographs — don’t try to scan them flat.
Modern photo albums: These are usually not built for long-term preservation. If you must use one, avoid sticky pages and adhesives. Use photo corners to secure images without adhesive touching the photo.
Quick Comparison: Storage Materials
Polyester: Clear, sturdy, reusable. Great for individual prints.
Polyethylene: More affordable and flexible, good for bulk storage.
Paper: Breathable and ideal for fluctuating environments. Not transparent, so not ideal if you need to view images without handling.
The Bottom Line
Preserving photographs takes a little bit of effort and the right supplies, but it’s well worth it. Whether you're managing a family collection or caring for institutional holdings, good storage, careful handling, and an understanding of photographic formats can make all the difference.
