Photo & Story Treasures: Mastering Memory-Keeping in 8 Doable Steps

If you're like most people, your memories are everywhere--in photos, in videos, on your computer, on your phone, or in the cloud (probably, you think).

Get ready to master memory-keeping, because when you do you are inviting this into your life:

I have been coaching people with their memory-keeping since 2005, so by now I'm able to really distill it down and guide you step-by-step through the process. These 8 Steps will serve you better than what you're doing now.

This post is the honest advice I'd give anyone, everyone! No mincing words. I'll show you what you need to do, and why.

To master memory-keeping--to get a handle on all your memories, photos, videos, etc., and make them accessible and protected so you can enjoy them--just follow these 8 Steps. Five of these steps are "one & done"--they only need to be done once--while three of them need to be repeated regularly.

Step 1: Know what you have. Find it.

Think of all the places your memories currently reside. Are they on your computer? Are they in the cloud (like Apple or Google or Dropbox)? Phone? Flash drive? 8mm film? Slides? VHS tapes? Have you gotten some from your parents or grandparents?

Depending on what you have and where it is, accomplishing this step may look a little different for you than it will for someone else. You may want to make a written list of everything you have and where it is. Or, you may want to physically put all your printed photos, external hard drives, film, VHS tapes, old scrapbooks, etc., in one place.

Either way, this is a "one & done" step--something you only have to do this once.

Don't be shy about enlisting help from others, too. Knowing what you have and where it is is the first step in mastering memory-keeping. When you've done that, you're ready to move on to Step 2.

Step 2: Get everything back.

Specifically, get everything that is endangered back.

You read that right. Some of your memories may be endangered. You probably already know that magnetic photo albums (which aren't literally magnetic, but have a sticky adhesive coating on the pages) from decades ago, and even some today, contain photo-damaging acids, and you should definitely get those photos out of that danger. But did you know this?

Your digital photos in the cloud are most likely endangered, too.

For Step 2, if your digital files are only being stored in the cloud (like Apple, Google, Dropbox, etc.) download your photos back to your own computer or hard drive. *Empty your accounts. *Cancel your payments. And be aware that this save-them-to-your-own-device step is only temporary. I know this sounds abrupt and maybe a little shocking, but I'll explain why this is an absolutely vital step.

*If you prefer to do this after completing Step 5, that's just fine.

HERE'S WHY

When I first heard about this I didn't think it was true--because WHO DOES THAT?!--but it is true: most cloud photo storage services (especially free ones, but paid ones, too) have fine print that doesn't ensure the security of your photos, your privacy, or even your account. Here are just a few examples.

This happened to me, too! The company (which wasn't even any of these mentioned above) changed from a private photo storage and publishing company to just publishing only. Just like that. You can read my experience here.

Definitely read the brief article by Jordan LaCrosse about his experience: The Heartbreaking Consequences of an iOS 18 Update.

So, for Step 2, get all your memories back. Make sure you own them and have access to them. (Access for very old media like slides, photos stuck on magnetic pages, and VHS tapes will be covered in Step 7.) Remove old photos from old scrapbooks if they are endangered and you can safely remove them.

Move digital photos and videos to your computer or an external hard drive (both would be safest). If necessary, put old printed photos you're removing from scrapbooks into a box. Again, this will only be temporary.

Then don't wait very long before doing Step 3! The temporary homes (your computer, a box) don't keep your memories as safe as we're going to keep them. You need to get to Step 5 ASAP (and 3 & 4 are quick).

This is another "one & done" step. Once you do this, you won't ever have to do it again!

Experts say to store your photos 3 ways--2 digital ways (one on-site and one off-site) and 1 in print. We will cover all of those by Step 8. Your computer (or external hard drive) counts as 1 digital way. It's considered on-site because it's in your house. If both of your digital ways are at your house and there's a fire or flood, storing in two digital ways hasn't done you any good. One digital way should be off-site (out of your house), which we will cover in Step 5.

NOTE: I am a Forever affiliate (a decision I made because I love it so much), so you will find several affiliate links in this post, from which I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.

Step 3: Open a Forever account.

This is certainly the easiest and fastest step of all. This is a "one & done" step! A Forever account is free and you can open it in less than a minute.

Having a Forever account is your most powerful, most guaranteed tool in mastering memory-keeping. The memory-keeping issues you may have discovered while doing (or even before) Steps 1 and 2 are all resolved here, beginning in Step 3.

HERE'S WHY

Forever is different from anything else out there. There's no fine print for storing your photos and videos with Forever. They guarantee your privacy, and they guarantee your photos/videos will be there for another generation. In fact, it's in their company charter.

Forever Storage is actually quite a bit more than just storage. You and I get all these benefits:

Forever also offers photo-storybooks (digital scrapbooking/photo books) that are the highest quality in the industry with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

book made with Artisan, Forever's digital scrapbooking software

made with Design & Print, Forever's template software (free)

Plus, they have a top-quality digitizing center where professionals can digitize your home movies and slides, scan photos (even the ones stuck in albums), and much more, all with white-glove service. (More on this in Step 7.)

There is nothing about memory-keeping that isn't done--and done the best--by Forever.

Open your free Forever account at this link.

Step 4: Join Forever Club.

The only thing faster and easier than Step #4 might be Step #3. Forever Club is free, and you can join in a minute or two. But do this step ASAP because getting on to Step #5 is so important--it's where you'll safeguard (and fireproof!) your photos, videos, audio files, and even PDF versions of your digital photobooks.

Forever Club is basically just a savings program where you deposit a certain amount of dollars in your account which you can then use toward photo-storybooks, Forever Storage, or digitizing services with the Forever Box.

To master memory-keeping, it just makes the most sense to be in Forever Club.

HERE'S WHY

Club Dollars never expire. You can save them up month after month to make a larger purchase.
Club members of any level save 5% on their purchases (on top of sale prices).
You choose your level or any combination of levels that suits your needs. Choose $25, $50, $100, or $250/month, or add any two of them together if you prefer.
You can enter and exit Forever Club at any time, but since I've told you I'm not going to mince words here: Just join and stay. You keep taking pictures, and Club is the best way to always have some money set aside for memory-keeping needs. (It does auto-renew monthly unless you quit.)
Every 3 consecutive months you are in Forever Club at the same level, you earn free Forever Storage (after you've purchased some initially). For example, 3 months at the $50 level gives you 1 GB free photo storage, which is enough for around 250 photos!

Join Forever Club at this link, at whatever level will fit your needs best.

This "Join Forever Club" step can be considered a "one & done" step if you pick a monthly amount you like and stay with it for the foreseeable future, but you can always revisit this step and adjust as needed.

Step 5: Upload and Organize Photos (in 3 parts).

It's a very big deal to do Step #5--you're finally starting to preserve your memories (in all their forms) safely and for generations. This is "fireproofing" your memories, too!

To upload your photos to your secure, guaranteed Forever Storage, first do these two things:

Buy Forever Storage. (If needed, refer back to Step 2 about why you shouldn't be using popular cloud services for your photos. Read my experience about discovering that I actually WANT to BUY my cloud storage and OWN it.) See the Forever Storage options here (which are cheaper by the GB when you buy in bulk) and purchase it there as well. Keep in mind that if you choose the monthly payment plan instead of the one-time purchase, you still own your storage--you are not paying a rental fee or a maintenance fee! It's YOURS forever.
Download the free app. This might be optional for you, but if you take any photos using your phone, you will want the free Forever app because it's a cinch to upload photos from your phone to your Forever Storage. The video below shows you how the app works and all its conveniences.

You may want to consider these suggestions for downsizing photos as you decide which ones you want to keep safe for generations in your Forever Storage. (All of them is certainly an option, too. It's your call.)

Learn more about downsizing photos in this article.

The 3rd part of Step 8 is to upload and organize your photos (and other digitized media) in your Forever Storage. This video walks you through how to do that:

If you'd like to edit your photos, you can do that right in Forever also! This video just shows the basics:

Buy and OWN your Forever Storage at this link, at whatever amount you need. Most people need at least 25 GB for photos, or more for also storing video.

And, yes, you can always buy some now and buy more later--it doesn't all have to be purchased at once.

This is one of the few steps that is not a "one & done"--you'll need to return to this step regularly as you take more pictures, or as you digitize more memories (see Step 7). We'll talk more about this in Step 8.

Step 6: Preserve Photos and Memories in Pages.

Experts say to preserve photos both digitally and in print! So far, we've taken care of the digital side. Now let's look at preserving photos and memories in print.

One thing that is very important to keep in mind as you become a Memory-Keeping Master is the difference between storing photos and preserving them.

This step is one of the few that you'll repeat regularly, and we'll focus on how to do that (including some strategies) in Step 8.

For now, just get started. Watch this video, which walks you through the three ways Forever gives us to preserve memories in pages. They are all highest quality print and have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. I love that there are options! You can choose the one that YOU think is the best! (Hint: You can't lose.)

Remember, too, that Forever Club Dollars can go toward printed items, too, like these beautiful digital photo-storybooks (and Artisan software and digital art, too). Also, print products are almost always on sale, somewhere from 20%-50% off, so don't pay too much attention to the full price since you won't ever need to pay it.

By the way, it's not just photos and memories you can preserve in pages! Use QR codes to save video there as well! Learn how at this link.

Step 7: Digitize old memories.

What is digitizing? That's simple. It's converting physical memories like a film reel or a floppy disc or printed photos to digital form so that they can be played on a computer or DVD, shared via email or link, etc.

This step could really go anywhere in this process, but I've chosen to put it near the end because once you have Steps 1-6 done, you're well-equipped to take care of precious older memories, including photos stuck on magnetic pages and that audio tape from Grandma.

All you really need to do for this step is take what you gathered in Step 1 and fill a Forever Box with it.

When you order a Forever Box, you are paying for the scanning services plus 3-way shipping, and your Forever Box comes with a booklet of instructions, so the process is easy and clear (though you can always contact me if you have questions). You can see the basic process of digitizing with a Forever Box in this 1-minute video.

It's not a doomsday overreaction to say: Start with your VHS tapes. Your time with them is limited. VHS tapes lose their magnetic charge after 10-20 years, which basically means they decay.

Step #7 can be considered "one & done," but since there is an expense associated with it, you may want to do it a little at a time. Forever Club will help break up that expense if you'd like. Start with VHS tapes, then do print photos from your parents, move on to the slides Grandpa gave you from the 60s, etc.

One important tip is to fill up your Forever Box. Here's why. Each Box's price includes shipping and the digitization of a certain number of "items." (You can see a list of items in the link below--one "item" is a video tape, 25 print photos, etc.) However, you aren't limited to the number of "items" allowed in your box--you're only limited by space in the box. You pay an extra per-item fee, but the shipping cost stays the same. So filling up the box allows you to have more items digitized without having to pay more shipping.

While you are working your way through your digitizing to-do list that you made in Step 1, keep photos, scrapbooks, discs, 8mm film, and anything else you want to digitize in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and moisture. An attic or garage is the worst possible place for them.

Order your Forever Box at this link--they come in different sizes depending on your needs. For large scans such as 12x12 scrapbook pages and other specialty items, make sure you get a Forever Specialty Box.

Step 8: Maintain.

You made it! Woo hoo! You're now in the Maintenance Phase!

In the Maintenance Phase, here's what you'll do--and I'll give you some helpful ideas to do it, too:

leave Step 4 going on its own each month (Forever Club)
do Step 5 monthly (upload & organize photos--see the Month's End Picture Plan below, or this awesome 10 Minutes Daily Plan)
do Step 6 monthly or quarterly (preserve photos and memories in pages)

For your monthly upload and organization of photos (Step 5), I suggest this Month's-End Picture Plan.

Mark your calendar on the last day of the month (or the 4th Sunday, or whatever works best for you). If you do this step regularly, you will have beaten Photo Overwhelm! You won't be stuck. Memory-keeping won't be hard. It'll just be fun.

Again, don't just think "Oh, yeah, I'm going to do that at the end of the month." Mark your calendar. Set a reminder. Set aside the time. Depending on how many pictures you took during the month, this could take you 10 minutes or an hour. I can't emphasize this more: To make it happen, set aside the time. Remember that spending time with your photos has been shown in studies to increase happiness and relaxation (among other things like self-esteem), so this is needed time!

You can even use a shortcut if you want. Some people like using the auto-sync feature in the Forever app.

If you use this handy tool for Step 5, you will still probably want to go through what's been uploaded to your Forever Storage and delete things you've taken pictures of that you don't actually want to save forever, like recipes or that thing on sale at Hobby Lobby. (Or is that just me?)

For your monthly (or quarterly if that's better for you) preserving memories in pages (Step 6), I have a few suggestions that might help. (If daily/weekly works better for you, you have to watch this 10 Minutes Daily Plan tutorial video!)

Many people enjoy working with others while doing their memory-keeping. For many, it helps the goal get accomplished because you've committed to someone else to do it, and for many it's a fun social time, too. Get together with your sister/friend for lunch/dinner one Friday/Saturday a month (in person or over Zoom), OR join my quarterly online (free) workshop. See all the events I currently have going on at this link.
Like Step 5, this Step 6 works only when you've set aside time for it. Set aside the time on your calendar.
One very helpful idea is to create your own group, your own memory-keeping tribe! Have your friends bring laptops for a "girls night" and work together on your memory-keeping. Use your Referral Link and you'll get $20 coupons for each friend after she's made a Forever purchase! I can do all the footwork to get you going with this, too--just contact me. This is a fun thing to do long-distance, too, over Zoom or FaceTime or your preferred video conferencing method.

If you take a lot of pictures each month, you should do Step 6 monthly. If some months have more pictures than others, quarterly may work well for you. The key is to not get overwhelmed. Work on pages a little at a time. For super quick pages, some people like this Yearbook idea using Design & Print: