Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What types of media do you digitize?
A: We have the capability to digitize a wide range of media, including prints, slides, negatives, artwork, books,  scrapbooks, 3D memorabilia, video tapes,  cassette tapes, reel to reel audio tapes, DVDs,  film reels and more.

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Q: Will you organize my photos?                                                                                                                  A: We strongly recommend organizing photos prior to digitizing, whether it's done by us or by yourself. Or else you go from disorganized printed photos to disorganized digital photos. We want your digital collection to be searchable and enjoyable. We can scan your photos in the order you give them to us or we can organize them for you. Organizing work is all done at an hourly rate and varies depending on the level of organizing you want done (custom file names, facial recognition and tagging, geolocations, events etc).

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Q: Do I have to remove photos from frames or album prior to digitizing?

A: No, it is usually better to leave that to us. Sometimes photos are stuck to the glass frames or in albums and we have methods and equipment to scan them safely.

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Q: Are you able to capture sound from 8mm film reels?

A: Yes! We have the equipment to capture footage and sound from from Super8 film with sound. Other companies may not!

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Q: Do you outsource any work?                                                                                                                    A: No! All work is done here in our Windham NH studio. The only work done "offsite" is printing photos or photobooks with a trusted vendor. 

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Q:  What kind of equipment do you use?                                                                                                  A: 99% of our scanning is done with a Canon 24.1 MP camera "camera scanning" for high resolution, archival quality results. We have two stations set up. We calibrate our equipment on a monthly basis. We scan photos, negatives, large albums, artwork, memorabilia and slides of all sizes (even glass plate slides) using camera scanning. We have a large flatbed Epson 12000x for newspapers only. We have Epson scanners for documents that are in pristine shape.

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Q: Will you clean my items?

A: Yes! Cleaning is one of the most important steps to get a good scan. We clean everything prior to digitizing. We don't want dirt and debris showing up on our work or your final images. We use a several devices from Kinetronics specifically  to gently clean photos negatives and slides. 

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Q:  Do you do any coaching work?                                                                                                               A: Yes absolutely! Some people want to organize their own photos but just need some guidance. We can help every step of the way, even remotely!

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Q:  Do you travel to clients?                                                                                                                            A: Yes! We can travel  anywhere in the New England area. We can work onsite but digitizing work is usually done here in our Windham NH studio.

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Q:  Can I ship my items to you?                                                                                                                    A: Yes! Please contact us for proper packing instructions and preferred shipping couriers. 

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Q: How do your prices compare to companies like Legacybox and iMemories?
A: It's difficult to "compare" pricing when our services are completely different. Our pricing is competitive and may vary based on the type and quantity of media. We believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees. If it's not digitized, we don't charge. We don't lure you in with "60% off today only" schemes. We don't have "service fees", but we do have a $35 minimum order.

When comparing to other companies, you must compare apples to apples. We scan at a very high resolution using overhead cameras. We do not use auto fed scanners for any media other than documents that are in perfect shape, most other companies use them for photos. Some, like Legacybox,  scan photos at only 300dpi, we scan at a minimum 600-2400dpi depending on the item for true image reproduction. We also take the time to clean every single item prior to digitizing for the best results. We also digitally touch up and color correct after digitizing which makes a huge difference in the final image.  Here is what is on Legacybox's website:

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"Will you restore, enhance, or improve my items in any way?

 We do not offer any sort of restoration, enhancement, or editing of your items. If there is an issue with the original, those issues will translate over to the digital copies.

To be more specific, we do not offer the following:  color correction, brightening, HD remastering, combining footage, or otherwise altering the composition of the original media. There are companies out there who specialize in these types of services, but we simply offer a one-to-one transfer."

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​​​Q: What formats do you provide for digital files?
A: We provide several digital formats, including JPEG, RAW, CR2 and TIFF for photos and MP4 for videos, which are compatible with most devices.

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Q: Do you offer restoration services?
A: Yes, we offer photo restoration services to enhance and repair images. Click here to see some examples. Photo restoration is one of our favorite things to do! Bringing life back to damaged photos!

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Q: How are my items protected during the digitization process?
A: We handle all items with care, using protective materials while handling (nitrile gloves). Items are labeled and stored in clear plastic totes. Our office/studio is equipped to maintain the integrity of your items by being temperature and humidity controlled. We also run several air purifiers constantly to reduce dust particles in the studio.  

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Q: Can you digitize my damaged tapes?
A: Yes, we can assess damaged items and may be able to recover or restore them. We will provide guidance on the best approach. We even splice broken tapes and clean mold before digitizing. Other companies do not.

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Q: How will I receive my digital files?
A: Once digitization is complete, you can receive your files via an online download link (size limitation) or on a USB drive if desired.

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Q: Are there any  discounts available?
A: Yes, we offer bulk discounts for larger projects and offer discounts for military and first responders as a thank you for their service. We do not offer "Today only! 60% off specials" to lure you in. Our pricing is consistent, fair and upfront.

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Q: What is your privacy policy regarding my personal media?
A: We take privacy seriously and have a robust privacy policy in place to ensure that your media is handled confidentially and securely. We will never disclose your information.  Before and Afters used for social media are only done with your written consent. We have a 5 page contract that outlines all of our policies.

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Q: How do your turnaround times compare to Legacybox and iMemories?
A: Our turnaround times are much faster than Legacybox and iMemories. Some services can be done same day! We strive to provide fast delivery where possible,  but  there are times when we have much higher volume like during the holidays and of course, depending on project size. For large projects we may have a waitlist.

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Q: What are some other important questions to ask when hiring someone to digitize my irreplaceable items?                

A: 

1. Ask if they outsource their work. There are companies that ship your items overseas to save money!

2. Ask about what equipment they use to digitize.  Auto fed scanners for photos and slides can jam, causing damage. They can't handle oversized media either. Even flatbed scanners can pose damage to certain photos.

3. Ask what resolution your items will be digitized at. Photos should be scanned at a minimum 600dpi and slides and negatives 2400dpi. 

4. Ask if they clean your items prior to scanning. Most old photo and slides are dust magnets!

5. Ask if have been certified by The Photo Managers.

6. Ask about their privacy policies. We will never share your information.

6. Ask if they are insured. We are!

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Have any other questions? Feel free to ask!