Monthly Archives: July 2019

Why decades-past photographs are getting people to mingle at parties

Posted on July 30, 2019 by

party1 300x200 - Why decades-past photographs are getting people to mingle at parties Using nostalgia from years-past photographs to engage everyone at your next party to mix and mingle


The biggest challenge to create a fun way to ease strangers into the conversation is how to get people talking. How to have all guests get the conversation started as they arrive at your home or corporate gathering to engage and relate to each other? This trending social gathering icebreaker tip works by displaying everyone’s nostalgic pictures on your TV as they arrive.


Displaying everyone’s nostalgic pictures on your TV is a trending icebreaker for social gatherings.


How to get guests to mingle at your next dinner party

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party3 300x169 - Why decades-past photographs are getting people to mingle at partiesAt ScanMyPhotos.com, having digitized 600 million family photos, we often hear of creative ways people are using their decades-past rediscovered photo snapshots.


This social engagement tip has been trending at ScanMyPhotos as a fun and innovative way to use pictures to connect people together.


As the dinner party, family reunion or corporate event,’s invitations are sent out, this creative tip will get the party started with everyone talking, laughing and sharing stories.


party2 300x201 - Why decades-past photographs are getting people to mingle at partiesAlong with the traditional invitations, ask guests to revisit their decades-past favorite pictures which share a story, their seminal moments and past adventures. To go back in time, request that the photos not be recent pictures from a smartphone, but digitized pictures from their analog photo albums.

 


The memories spanning decades of past memories. Select categories, such as travel, goofy pictures, holidays, home, childhood adventures, first car, school and more. But warn guests that the pictures will be shared in a public forum, so nothing too personal or revealing.


party4 300x224 - Why decades-past photographs are getting people to mingle at parties


 

Family Reunion Tips:

From The Photo Detective Podcast


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How Businesses Use Economic Activism and Social Media For Advocacy Projects

Posted on July 30, 2019 by

In the age of Trump, businesses must use their voice and resources, including their communication departments, PR agencies, public affairs and their CEO’s outreach to challenge him. Loudly, widely, wisely and often.


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What is your company doing? Today, it is more important than just promoting what you sell, but to use your platform to support the media and journalists. Another way is to lend your voice to urge all social media platforms to stop accepting any political ads, worldwide.


We have hundreds of narratives ever since Trump descended the Trump Tower escalator. Many now include other social issues and commentaries on everything from climate change to supporting a free and unimpeded U.S. election.


 

Support the airlines and travel

 

OPEN LETTER: Mr. Trump, Intentional Delays to USPS Deliveries May Force Millions of Businesses to Close


Why we are going to travel for ‘economic patriotism’


How to Remedy the Facebook Political Ad Controversy


Ivanka Trump Speaking at CES? Not So Fast


Corporate Advocacy Campaign To Protect U.S. Elections From Russia


Why The New York Times’ “1619 Project” on U.S. Slavery is a Must Read History Lesson


Massive NYC Flooding Led to Millions of Damaged Photographs. DON’T PANIC!


Why Amazon Prime Day Fails And Worse; Spend $119 Before Saving a Penny


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Why Not Upload Pictures To Facebook


WARNING: What’s Wrong with Facebook’s Cryptocurrency? EVERYTHING


Consumer Alert: Why Review Sites Link to Amazon, Revealed


WARNING: What’s Wrong with Facebook’s Cryptocurrency? EVERYTHING


Photo Industry Responds to Apollo Global Management’s Shutterfly, Snapfish Acquisition


Consumer Alert: ScanMyPhotos Reveals Why You Are Wasting Money Scanning Pictures


Legacybox and Southtree vs ScanMyPhotos: The Photo Scanning “Review”


Accuweather: Protect Cherished, Irreplaceable Photos Before Natural Disasters


NEWS: $6.2 Billion Settlement Win, Statement by ScanMyPhotos


With No Women Keynote Speakers, Does CES Have a Diversity Problem?



Archived Stories:


An Entrepreneur’s Open Letter to Donald Trump


What The Tech And Coal Industries Can Learn From Kodak


Donald Trump was my hero, but he won’t have my vote


Businessmen Against Trump


Victor in a war over credit card ‘swipe fees’


How Small Firms Can Defuse a Political Threat and Blunt a Boycott


image1 300x143 - 7 Of The Best Scrapbooking Blogs To FollowBefore reading this report. An update. ScanMyPhotos.com professionally digitizes all your photos this fast.


While we have scanned six hundred million images, it is news stories like these that made us so popular, but no order is more precious or important than yours. We are here to help. For loads of photo tips, news updates, and crazy-discounted deals, sign up to receive free updates.


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“How Edward Weston Processed His Photos,” From Advancing Your Photography

Posted on July 30, 2019 by

How Edward Weston Processed His Photos


Thanks to Marc Silber, host of  Advancing Your Photography. According to Marc’s website, he “brings you tricks and tips directly from some of the world’s best photographers. The best way to learn is from those who have mastered it, so we go out and video pros like Chase Jarvis, Thomas Hawk, Bambi Cantrell and many more. Tune in and be inspired, go shoot, and share your passion.”


New videos posted every Tuesday and Thursday. Subscribe now!


Follow Marc on Twitter



From Advancing Your Photography:

We’re bringing you the final installment of our Edward Weston legacy series from 1948. Weston was one of the masters of 20th-century photography.

 


 

This segment covers how he processed his photos in his darkroom and discusses some of his inspirations for his photography. So join me again as we step back in time to explore the world of Edward Weston.


Be sure to check out Edward Weston’s books.

 


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Corporate Advocacy Campaign To Protect U.S. Elections From Russia

Posted on July 25, 2019 by

Can a small business lead the nation towards protecting our democracy from Russian meddling in our elections? Yes!


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What is your company doing to effectively mobilize and protect our democracy from Russian interference in the U.S. elections?


Why does this matter? Because we cannot rely on Washington, as Senate Republicans Just blocked the advancement of bills aimed at strengthening election security.


There is no missile defense against interference in our elections, but there is Twitter and social media. An unprecedented “Moon mission” or “Marshall-like Plan” united voice and high-level fight can protect our democracy from wreaking havoc on our democracy.


#MyBusinessSupportsDemocracy to halt Russian interference in U.S. elections

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IMG 1038 300x300 - Corporate Advocacy Campaign To Protect U.S. Elections From RussiaThe time is now.


Protecting our democracy must include the leadership at every size business to use our collective voices and social media outreach to weaponize against Russia’s plan to disrupt our democracy in the 2020 U.S. elections.


Across the nation, if millions launch a similar advocacy campaign like #MyBusinessSupportsDemocracy it will spark attention to the incontrovertible evidence that the Kremlin mounted a large-scale, concerted attack on American democracy.


Acton must begin at the White House by taking this matter seriously.  Beyond solidarity between the main political parties, every business must use their voice and advocacy to spark awareness, spotlight this national emergency and create solutions.


Just as Russian activity uses social media and other digital avenues for spreading disinformation, we must collectively wage a war of facts to spotlight the breaches, mobilize and dismantle their attacks.


IMG 1037 300x200 - Corporate Advocacy Campaign To Protect U.S. Elections From RussiaRobert Mueller: “Over the course of my career, I’ve seen a number of challenges to our democracy,” he said. “The Russian government’s effort to interfere in our election is among the most serious. As I said on May 29, this deserves the attention of every American. “They’re doing it as we sit here, and they expect to do it in the next campaign.”


H.R. 2722 – Securing America’s Federal Elections Act: Securing America’s Federal Elections, or SAFE Act, would provide $600 million for states to shore up federal election security. This would include upgrading from electronic-only voting machines to systems that provide paper backup ballots, which can be counted or audited if election results are in dispute.


“This is a threat we need to take extremely seriously and to tackle and respond to with fierce determination and focus,” said F.B.I. director, Christopher A. Wray.


Corporate Social Advocacy Campaign To Protect U.S. Elections From Russia

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IMG 1033 300x169 - Corporate Advocacy Campaign To Protect U.S. Elections From RussiaThe Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law:  “This foreign interference in the presidential election exposed cracks in the security of America’s electoral system, the most fundamental part of our democracy. News reports revealed that hackers working on behalf of the Russian government targeted state and local voter registration databases and managed to access elections systems in as many as 39 states. The attack shows that our current election systems are susceptible to foreign interference, and will only become more vulnerable as hacking methods are refined.”


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Fortunately, These Pictures Were Spared From a House Fire

Posted on July 24, 2019 by
house-fire[Reposted] We received an email from a past client with a story that was both heartbreaking and an uplifting preparedness tip.

It got us thinking, again, about how a company that scans photos is so important in people’s lives and why it is vital that no one should delay in getting their photos scanned. Insurance replaces your material items but do you know what you can’t replace but you can protect? Your photos.

You can buy a new TV, sofa or refrigerator but can you buy your daughter’s first steps or your wedding day? Whether you use ScanMyPhotos, some other photo scanning company or you are inspired to go out, buy a scanner and do it yourself, we URGE you to scan your photos now! You never know what tomorrow may bring.


Here is Pat’s story:

For some reason, I felt a urgency to convert many of our photos to disks. I worried about preserving them. Twice I sent a box of photos to you and felt great relief loading them onto my computer. The morning of November 12, 2012 I awoke to the unimaginable- our house was on fire! We managed to make it outside with just the clothes on our back.

As the flames rolled through the roof I knew we were losing everything. Thoughts of family heirlooms disappearing and our family photos burning and the loss of those felt vnbearable. I realized that just inside the front door was my laptop and on it were hundreds of our favorite treasured pictures! I opened the door, reached in for the laptop and yanked it out of the wall it was charging in. That was the only item I saved that day.

Now, as we slowly rebuild our house and our lives I know a precious part of our past remains because of the service you provide!

I never would have thought our new house would catch fire. Now we look forward to the future, but thanks to your company we still have our connection to the past. You’ve made a difference in our lives.

 

Sincerely,
P Fogo
Sheffield Lake, Ohio

Consider the following statistics from National Fire Protection Agency:


    • In 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to 370,000 home structure1 fires.1

    • These fires caused 13,910 civilian injuries, 2,520 civilian deaths, $6.9 billion in direct damage.1

  • One home structure fire was reported every 85 seconds.2

Please DO NOT WAIT. Scan your photos, negatives, and slides today. Don’t forget those old home movies, too. As Pat said, by scanning their family photos, “we still have our connection to the past” and that is what photos represent, a connection to family history for present and future generations.


Recommended Links for more information

http://www.nfpa.org/

References

1. U.S. Home Structure Fires Fact Sheet – National Fire Protection Agency
2. The US Fire Problem – National Fire Protection Agency

 

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Same-Day* Photo Scanning Package at 300 dpi Now $70

Posted on July 23, 2019 by

WHY WAIT? NOW FAST SAME-DAY PHOTO SCANNING IS A THING


[UPDATE: Due to the Covid-19 national emergency, the expected completion time schedule may take longer. ScanMyPhotos.com is open for all online ordering]


IMG 6991 300x182 - Same-Day* Photo Scanning Package at 300 dpi Now $70

One of the most common questions asked is how quickly can you digitize my pictures? Often this is for a memorial service, last-minute anniversary gift or to rush and protect pictures from natural disasters. The answer is as quick as the same day.

 

Express FASTScan Photo Scanning Package – Pay Just $70 (when you use promo code: “VIPDeal”)

 

  • This deal was discounted 40% to just $125 to professionally digitize up to 1,000 standard 4×6” photo snapshots to 300 dpi JPEG images on a standard DVD data disc.
  • BONUS: WHEN YOU ENTER PROMO CODE “VIPDeal” PAY ONLY $70. BUT WAIT. THERE IS MORE. Save 10% ON ALL ADD-ON SERVICES WHEN YOU ALSO ENTER “VIPDiscount” PROMO CODE AT CHECKOUT.
  • See below for details on express same-day scanning. This order includes instant same-day uploading of your files to you. Free USPS Priority Mail return shipping and handling and return tracking for the original photos and data disc DVDs (a $19.95 value). Many popular add-on featured services are available including other-size photos, flash drives, color-correction, return delivery tracking and more when you order at the time of purchase. *See below details for same-day scanning.
  • How to prepare your pictures for scanning.
  • You are responsible for paying to mail your pictures to us and we recommend using the U.S. Postal Service’s Priority Mail Flat-Rate box. We cover the return S/H cost to you.

How to Redeem Your 1,000 4″x”6 Scan Voucher


CLICK HERE


ScanMyPhotos corpoate headquarters in Irvine 300x138 - Same-Day* Photo Scanning Package at 300 dpi Now $70Purchase this deal online and print your invoice to include with your order. Your completed order form must be included in the box along with your photos. Your original photos will be returned along with your DVD data disc. Additional Add-on products are available, including USB flash drives.


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Must view and comply with the Photo Preparation Procedures before shipping your order. How to Pack your Photos for Scanning & Shipping to ScanMyPhotos.com

 

IMG 4552 300x182 - Same-Day* Photo Scanning Package at 300 dpi Now $70On the order form, you will find a bevy of additional options to enhance your final scans. Order the additional options at the time of purchasing this deal. During checkout, you will have the option to select any additional services.

 

IMPORTANT: LIMIT 8 Express Photo-Scanning Packages Per Address. This service is exclusively for online, mail-in only, and positively cannot be used for any walk-in services, for any reason or applied to prior orders. Photo scanning only.  

 

CLICK TO ORDER

 

*BONUS: Get Same Day Scanning Included With Your Order. Just type “Same day scanning” under special instructions. If received by 11 AM (PT), your order will be scanned the same business day it is received. If received afterward, please add one more business day. Some conditions apply including delays due to holidays, weather and other issues. While we cannot warrantee same-day scanning, we do make every effort to scan the same day your order is received.  

 

Standard 4×6″ photographs only. Other sizes and options are available for an additional price. Not valid towards any other digitizing services. Terms may change without notice. Promotional value expires 6 months after your order is placed (unless prohibited by law).  Order today, but do not rush sending in your pictures, but do so within 6 months from your purchase date. Promotional value cannot be combined with other offers. Purchase, use and acceptance of this package constitutes acceptance of all terms.

 

IMG 6449 1 - Same-Day* Photo Scanning Package at 300 dpi Now $70

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Massive NYC Flooding Led to Millions of Damaged Photographs. DON’T PANIC!

Posted on July 23, 2019 by

8 Ways to Fix Water Damaged Photos


When water damage from flooding due to natural disasters strikes, Don’t panic!


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Nearly 65% of all customer support questions today at ScanMyPhotos are related to the epic New York City flooding. This is far from unusual, as after each hurricane and wildfire the same questions arise. While we have digitized 600 million pictures, over the years, when disaster strikes journalists and the national media reaches out AFTERWARDS for advice on how to protect pictures. The simple answer is PLAN AHEAD.  


The questions are all related. How to restore photos to fix heavily damaged pictures due to water damage? Millions of pictures were wiped out, destroyed from the battering flash floods that hit Brooklyn and neighboring Queens, New York.


IMG 0996 300x225 - Massive NYC Flooding Led to Millions of Damaged Photographs. DON'T PANIC!

 

Whether it is from a natural disaster, humidity or severe contact with water, water-damaged pictures can be cured — ScanMyPhotos is an expert on digitizing and restoration pictures. 


 

8 Tips for Restoring Water Damaged Photos

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This scene from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy is a reminder of why everyone must be prepared and plan ahead. After the storm hits is too late.


Tips if your house was flooded from natural disasters, a hurricane storm surge or mildew to fix your pictures


rain - 8 Ways to Fix Water Damaged Photos - Don’t Panic!

Accuweather: Protect Cherished, Irreplaceable Photos Before Natural Disasters. Imagine if your lifetime of irreplaceable photographs, representing the window on your family history were all lost? The focus on this Accuweather profile explains why there is a 100% guarantee pictures will not be lost if digitized.


Whether your house was flooded from storm surges or caught fire from a sweeping firestorm, your prized photos have probably suffered from water damage. The first rule of handling water-damaged photos is don’t panic!  You may be able to salvage many or all of your pictures. You might want to contact a photo conservation professional or consult a book on the subject, but here are a few tips:


8 Tips for Restoring Water Damaged Photos



  • Don’t let the photos dry out! As your photographs dry, they will stick to each other and any other materials they may be in contact with. You’ll find it impossible to pull them apart without causing potentially irreparable damage.

IMG 0997 300x200 - Massive NYC Flooding Led to Millions of Damaged Photographs. DON'T PANIC!

  • Get to work as soon as possible. Your photographs shouldn’t stay wet for more than two or three days. Now is a good time to recommend having a friend (or photo restoration expert) scan the images before you try pulling anything apart or before doing anything that will further damage the photos.

 

  • Prepare space to work. While you’re working on your photos, store them in a container full of cold, clean tap water; the colder the better. Don’t add chlorine to the water, but change the water every day. The chlorine in tap water is enough to prevent the growth of fungi and other biological threats.

 

  • Water is actually part of the restoration process. Rinse your photos in a container of cold, clear running water. Don’t run the water directly onto the photos, because that could damage the chemical emulsion, causing permanent damage. Keep rinsing them until the run-off water is clear.
  • Take your time with this archival project. Carefully remove your photographs or negatives from the water, taking the smallest quantity possible. Pull them out of their wrappers and gently separate them. DO NOT FORCE THEM APART. Separate as many as possible before returning them to the cold water and starting on another batch. Repeat the separate-soak cycle as many times as necessary. However, sometimes you may not be able to separate materials without forcing the issue. In those cases, you will probably have to just accept the corresponding damage.

 

  • Now, add water. Once your materials are separated, store them in water until you can wash them individually, using cold, clean running water. Use cotton balls, a soft cotton cloth or a soft foam rubber brush to remove foreign objects if needed. Rinse your photographs or negatives one more time after cleaning is complete.

 

  • The drying process. Hang-dry prints and negatives from a clothesline. Make sure they will not be exposed to dust. As an option, special solutions are available that facilitate uniform, spot-free drying when applied to negatives and slides.

 

  • Use weights to flatten the pictures. If your prints curl while drying, wet the paper side (NOT the emulsion picture side) with a moist sponge and place each one between two pieces of acid-free paper or photo blotters, and leave them under a flat, heavy object for a day or two.


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How to Share Pictures at Family Reunions

Posted on July 20, 2019 by

Photography: Family Reunion Tip


When extended families gather together, from grandparents to siblings and first cousins, the convergence of multi-generational ancestors is made extra memorable when everyone shares pictures. Not just those recent activities stored on mobile devices, but also generations of analog photo snapshots, 35mm slides, and negatives from yesteryear. This helps build a legacy of storytelling to unite families on a genealogical tour to recall ancestors and the whole family’s history.


APS Negative Scanning 35 MM Negative Scanning Prepaid Photo Scanning Box Family Generation Collection Pay-Per-Scan Photo Scan Service Prepaid Slide Scanning Box


Photo Tip: Ask Guests to Share Decades-Past Scanned Pictures


FAMILY REUNION PHOTO TIP


1) SCAN. Start by asking each family member to gather all their photographs and have each one digitized. There are several easy ways to affordably digitize pictures, from the ScanMyPhotos.com pay-per-scan option, to its popular fill-the-box services to scan about 1,800 pictures, and the much larger Family Generations Collection, where more than 10,000 photos are digitized with free shipping and completed in days.


Family viewing photos on TV

 

2) NARRATE AND RECORD. At the reunion, gather together in front of a large television and sync to the photo files. Set up a camcorder in the rear of the room to record the narratives, as each person shares the stories behind the picture. This is always emotional, and filled with laughter and even weeping chronicles of past events and remembrances from deceased relatives. Provide all the attendees with a copy of the recorded walk down the genealogical path to preserve your family’s timeline.


Family Reunion Tips:

From The Photo Detective Podcast


We saw these wonderful questions by RootsTech to engage and help identify your family history. Provided by Maegan Kasteler:


This list of RootsTech questions should be thought provoking and open-ended. Be cautious, however, that you don’t get too attached to your questions. Let the conversation ebb and flow as naturally as possible.

 


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To give you a jumpstart compiling your own list of questions, here is our curated list of suggested questions:


  1. What do you know about the day you were born?
  2. What was it like living where you grew up?
  3. What weekly rituals or traditions did your family have?
  4. What chores, if any, did you have around the home growing up?
  5. What was your schooling like?
  6. What would you and your friends do to have fun?
  7. What was dating like when you were young?
  8. What was it like living (where your relative lived) during (historic events, such as war, 9/11/2001, a specific political event, a natural disaster, and so on)?
  9. How did your family resolve familial conflicts?
  10. Were you ever involved in any accidents? What happened?
  11. Where was your first job, and what did you do?
  12. What were your hobbies? Is there anything you picked up when you were young that you still enjoy today?
  13. Did your family have any pets? What kind? How many? What were their names?
  14. How and when did you meet your significant other?
  15. What was your wedding day like?
  16. Do you remember any weird or crazy or wonderful gifts you received at your wedding?
  17. When did you know you wanted to have kids?
  18. How did you find out from or tell your significant other that you were going to be parents?
  19. What was early married life like? What struggles did you face?
  20. Have you been on any memorable vacations? Where did you go? What made them so memorable?

For a wealth of photo digitizing tips, visit ScanMyPhotos.com

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