Old photographs are treasures which has all the memories attached to it. It is necessary to preserve those photos to preserve those sweet memories. Low humidity and low temperature helps in storing old photographs. Color photographs gets faded when the temperature is warm. Fifty to seventy five degree Fahrenheit is the right temperature to store photos.When the photographs needs to be stored for a decade, then it is better to store them in a proper container and should be put in a room with temperatures less than 35 degree Fahrenheit and low humidity. Rule of the thumb for temperature and humidity is Lower the best.

Photos should be stored in a cool and dry place in the house so that there is not much of light and humidity and temperature does not fluctuate. Basement and attics are not a good place to store photographs as they are very much humid and dry. Humidity and temperature fluctuations will cause the prints to crack, warp and curl.

Storing photographs along newspaper clippings, will damage the photos because of the acid present. If the need arises that the photos has to be stored along with the clippings, it is better to photocopy the newspaper clipping thereby making it acid-free. All that is written on a photo should be done with pencil. No adhesive label should be used as the chemicals in the adhesives will damage them. Rubber bands and paper clips has to be avoided as they easily damage them.

Always having a back-up will help. Negatives has to be handled as carefully as the photos. All storage rules applicable for photos are applicable for negatives too. Negatives and back-ups has to be stored separately, so that they are also not damaged during the same destruction. If the photos are going to be framed it is necessary to make sure that the matting of that is acid-free. Taping or gluing the photos inside the frame is not advisable. Best is to make the photo sit on to the frame without adhesive.

Opting for a special glass with filter to filter the damaging lights is necessary. Never should sunshine hit directly on the frame even with filtered glass. Framed photos should not be kept near vents, air-ducts or radiators. Typically, photos from the studio are got in envelopes. Though envelopes are ideal for short term, it is less ideal for storing for a long term. Stacking photos will damage due to scraping against each other. Oil from fingers may also damage the images.

Inexpensive albums contain plastics which damages and harms the photos. Albums that use polyester or polypropylene are ideal. Polyethylene and vinyl should also not be used. If the photo album is in paper, it should be acid and lignin free. It is better to avoid getting albums from departmental stores. Best quality albums are available with photography studios or stores. It is advisable to store photos in albums and containers that have passed the photographic activity test. It is a national standard making sure that the materials used in the containers and albums will not damage the photos.