October 07, 2004
Scrapbook Savvy: Tips for Memorable Photos
Your family history, from treasured recipes to special traditions, is a story only you can tell. To help preserve family legacies like these, one in four Americans will create scrapbooks this year. So you, too, can capture meaningful memories, Krylon, manufacturer of Paper Finishes, a line of acid–free paints and finishes for scrapbooking, offers these suggestions.
Family gatherings are an ideal time to begin documenting family history. Before the next family event, record what you know about family members — birth dates and birth place, married names and maiden names, spouses, and other family members. This will help pinpoint any missing information.
Think about the photos you'd like to take, and make a list of all of the shots. Consider groupings of generations, such as all grandparents, or grandparents with grandchildren. Try posing together all siblings or cousins, or even those who share a common family name. For fun, arrange family members from the youngest to oldest, or tallest to shortest. Or, document milestones by photographing the oldest, the youngest, or the family member who came the farthest.
Plan to take your photos early in the day. Everyone will still be fresh and smiling, the kids will be clean, and you won't risk running out of time.
Don't underestimate the number of photos you'll want to take. If you're using a traditional camera, pack plenty of film. If you're using a digital camera, be sure to bring extra memory cards. Consider including a few disposable cameras that can be passed around to all in attendance, so you can gather everyone's perspective.
During the event, interview family members to fill in the missing blanks in your family survey. Ask about favorite childhood memories, family traditions, and what they’ve accomplished since you last gathered. Be sure to record special family recipes, too.
After the event, take steps to ensure that your family history is preserved for future generations. A downside to digital photography that many amateur photographers do not realize is that most computer printer inks are not moisture resistant, and digital prints are more likely to smear, run and fade than traditional photos.
To ensure long–lasting photo quality, archivists say certain steps should be taken. That's why Krylon has introduced a spray–on digital photo and paper protectant called Preserve It!®, which doubles the life of digital photos. Preserve It! protects digital images from early aging and makes them resistant to moisture and fading. Krylon products are the choice of leading artists and fine institutions for the preservation of priceless artwork, and Preserve It! enables consumers to use some of the same advanced technology to preserve their home photos.
Easy–to–use Preserve It!, available in matte and gloss finishes, dries quickly and its clear formula will not alter the finished photos. Preserve It! also extends the life of images printed on the highest quality paper with the highest quality ink and will work on traditional photos, too. Use it to protect the written family history you've recorded, too.
Finally, store your photos correctly. Do not display photos in direct sunlight and store them in a cool place, away from high humidity. Basements and attics are two of the worst places to store precious photos and other papers.
For a free copy of Krylon's 20–page booklet, “101 Scrapbooking Ideas”, call 1–800–4–KRYLON (1–800–475–9566) and request Part #K-8468. Or visit www.krylon.com.
Krylon® Preserve It!® Digital Photo and Paper Protectant protects treasured family photos.
