Digitizing Images, Media, and Documents
- KaoLee Vang
- Mar 29
- 2 min read
Scan every image you can. For anything that can't be scanned, a photograph works just as well (make sure you have plenty of light for better quality). If you have film negatives, look for local organizations or companies that offer digitization services — though keep in mind this can be costly. For a more budget-friendly option, check if you already have a flatbed scanner at home, or look into borrowing access through a church, genealogy or family history center, library, community center, or local creative and art space.
Digitizing videos and audio is more involved, as it requires specialized equipment that can be harder to find and more complex processes. For these, I recommend going with a professional company.
My processes:
Photographs and Documents
I used an Epson Fast Foto scanner to scan images that were between 3.5x5" up to 8x10", don't use on old photographs. (The scanner is automatic feeding and can scan images very fast in large quantities and capable of scanning both sides, the feeder does not fold or duplex.)
You can purchase this scanner. I found one to use for free at a LDS church Family History Center. There was a different type of photo scanner in a creative space at a library in the county over but required extra steps and for you to be a public library card holder or pay a small fee.
Flatbed scanners were used for all small photos and large photos up to 11x17", as well as really delicate and aged photos.
I worked in different iterations. My personal scanner/printer for anything up to 8.5x11", I used the scanner at the Family History Center (free), as well as the scanner at FedEx Office for a small fee.
Photo negatives can be digitized by professionals. I personally digitized them myself via access to a creative/makers space.
Springboard for the Arts' artist/creative space, free, but has rules/limitations to locals and you have to be an artist. But you can digitize your old film negatives, use computers, edit, and they have backdrops to photograph items/product photography space.
Documents were all scanned on a flatbed scanner, especially for more delicate and fragile items. Use your best judgment for documents if you use an automatic feeding scanner.
Used personal scanner/printer.
More pressure sensitive and fragile documents and photographs, as well as oversized art/photos should be photographed in a well lit area with a plain background. There are creative spaces with scanners for oversized items but can be hard to come by.
Personal scanner/printer.
Oversized images and documents that are 2D can be scanned on a large format scanner/printer at a commercial print shop.
I photographed everything I could. I did have to go to FedEx Office to use the large format scanner.
Video & Audio
Magnetic media (the family archive mostly consisted of VHS and audio cassettes).
Had the media converted professionally at Astound Sound (company local to the Minneapolis and Saint Paul, MN area). Search around in your area — some places will allow you to pay a small fee to preview the media you have to see if it works and if you want to digitize it. Astound Sound had one location that did this and that cost was applied toward the digitization services.
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