A flatbed scanner and a phone camera solve different problems. Choose the method that captures detail without risking the original photograph.
A practical way to begin
Use a scanner when a print can lie safely flat and you need consistent framing across many similar items.
Use a camera when the photograph is mounted, oversized or cannot be removed safely from an album.
For camera capture, keep the device parallel to the print and use even light from both sides.
Compare a small test from each method before choosing a workflow for the collection.
For example
A bound album may be safer to photograph in place, while a box of sturdy loose prints may be easier to scan consistently.
What to avoid
Avoid pressing an album flat just to use a scanner. Capture quality matters, but protecting the original comes first.
Should I keep the original material?
Yes. Keep an untouched source and work with copies. A finished album, transcript or edited video serves a different purpose from the original material. Check that your saved copies open, and keep important context such as names and dates alongside them.
Related family guides
A personal keepsake, if it fits your plans
If you decide to turn a selection of family photos or videos into a physical keepsake, you can explore Forever Orb. Keep the original files and a separate backup; a display gift is not your archive.
