Often asked, why I do what I do; how I have time to preserve memories for other people, I have a couple of answers.
One, because I find it extremely rewarding to create a beautiful place to showcase family photos and memorabilia. Most often times I am not present when my client or the recipient of their gift, opens one of my albums...and that bums me out, I love their reactions!
And two, I've seen first hand what can happen to our photos and albums if not stored properly. So many things can contribute to deterioration of our memories; elements such as temperature and acidic materials to name two.
Lately, I've had an opportunity to really do some "rescue missions". Taking these books in seriously critical condition, and reworking them into really awesome works of art that will last much longer in their new contemporary books.
In the pictures above, you will see mildew from humidity. Yellowing due to lignin in the pages (lignin is found in tree bark and will yellow over time; also will alter the color of your photographs). And paper that was literally like dust in my hands when I touched it.
In each of these projects, I preserved all the original photos that weren't glued to the pages in such a manner that I couldn't remove them safely. For the pictures that were really stuck with glue, I scanned and used copies.
Most photo storage options in the retail market are very corrosive. Photo sleeves that contain PVC are too harsh a solution. Acid and lignin in your magnetic variety photo album, will yellow your pictures over time. Photo storage boxes are another easy, but harsh remedy as they too contain the acid and lignin. Ball point pens do a number on the photos of your past, by eventually seeping through to the other side of your pictures; often times looking red in color as it ages.
So you can see, there is more of a science to what I do, than just making pretty pages out of your precious memories. There is a reason for what I do, I honestly love educating my clients on why using archival quality materials (as I do in EVERY project) is of utmost importance, if you want an heirloom that will last for generations.
Few things sadden me more than going into antique stores and seeing vintage photographs of somebody's ancestors...sitting in a basket for sale! How did those pictures end up out of the hands of family and into the bag of a stranger? Wow, I hope I can prevent that for all of my dear, loyal clients.
Check out the end results of those poor, fragile pages and album I showed you above:
Think about any albums or photographs that could use my tender loving care, I would be so thankful to help you out. This is a seriously wonderful idea for a milestone, birthday gift...or a great way to celebrate the life and heritage of a loved one passed on.
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