What is the National Photo Care (Rescue) Helpline, Powered by ScanMyPhotos?
It’s a free online help desk powered by ScanMyPhotos’ professional archivists to get expert advice (not bots) to answer your questions on saving pictures from disasters like floods, fires, storms, and more. You don’t place an order. You don’t get a sales pitch. You get honest help. Our team has been saving photos since 1990. We’re here to answer your questions in plain English, with simple tips to protect the most important memories in your life.
Every photo is a story. Every question you ask is a rescue.
Ask your questions now at ScanMyPhotos.com/PhotoCareHelpline
Watch this CBS Evening News feature on why to disaster-proof your photo history:
Why This Matters:
It began with 347,000 photo negatives. A country asked us to digitize its entire 57-year history. The only record they had was on film. Most of it had never been seen since it was developed. Read their story. Storms, heat, and time almost destroyed everything. That project changed us. Then more stories came in:
- A woman called, crying after a tornado that ruined her baby photos.
- A fire survivor found a shoebox of pictures under rubble.
- A dad delayed scanning… until his home flooded.
Every caller says the same thing:
“I meant to do it. I just never got around to it.” That’s why we created the Photo Care (Rescue) Helpline.
What Is It:
- This is not a call center.
- It’s not for placing orders.
- There are no bots.
- It’s a free service to help you save your photos. You talk to real people who care.
- We listen.
- We guide.
- We help you figure out how to protect the pictures that matter most.
Start now at:
👉 ScanMyPhotos.com/PhotoCareHelpline
What Happens When You Reach Out:
- We Listen. You tell us your story or what you’re worried about. We’re here for that.
- We Answer Your Questions. We explain what to do. Step by step. No pressure.
- We Teach. We explain what’s risky, what’s possible, and what’s urgent.
- We Learn From You. A customer once asked if they could track their photo shipment. That simple question led us to recommend GPS trackers like Apple AirTags and Tiles. Now it’s a regular part of what we do.
The 5 Most Common Questions We Hear:
- Should I take my photos if I evacuate during a storm? Yes. Take the ones that matter most. If time is short, even a pillowcase or ziplock bag helps.
- My pictures got wet. Are they ruined? Maybe not. Don’t pull them apart. Lay them flat, face-up, on wax paper. Call us next.
- What’s the best way to store old photos? First, scan them. Then keep the originals in a cool, dry space in acid-free boxes. Store digital copies in the cloud and on a USB.
- How do I keep digital files safe once they’re scanned? Use the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 types of storage (like cloud and USB), 1 stored somewhere else (like at a friend’s house).
- I have thousands of photos. Where do I start? Use our prepaid scanning box. We send it to you fast. You fill it. We scan everything the same day and upload your files. If you’re in a danger zone, we can even send a courier to pick it up.
More Questions We Get All the Time
- Should I scan the backs of photos too? Yes. Notes, names, and dates are just as important.
- My photo album is stuck together. Can I pull it apart? No, you could ruin the photos. Contact us for advice on what to do.
- Can I just scan photos with my phone? Phones are okay for quick sharing. But they’re not great for long-term quality. We use scanners that are 10 to 50 times sharper.
- What’s better: JPEG or TIFF? JPEG is great for everyday use. TIFF is best for long-term storage. We offer both.
- I’m helping a loved one with memory loss. How do I begin? Ask them to pick five favorite photos. Then let us help you build from there.
- What if my film or slides got wet? Don’t unroll or separate them. Place them gently in a clean box and call us right away. More insights and tips.
- Can I throw out the originals after scanning? It’s better to keep them if possible. Originals still hold emotional and sometimes better image quality.
- I have framed pictures. Should I remove them? Only if they come out easily. If not, take a photo of the picture while it’s still in the frame. We’ll help from there.
More About ScanMyPhotos:
ScanMyPhotos.com is a pioneer in photo digitization services. The photo imaging company, headquartered in Irvine, CA, has preserved one billion pictures since 1990. Founded by industry pioneers, its owners have been national leaders in the photo imaging world for more than three decades. Major media have profiled the company, including The Today Show, USA Today, The New York Times, CBS Evening News, the Associated Press, Consumer Reports, and MANY more. Its mission is simple but powerful: help families and institutions save the nation’s visual history before it fades away.
This is our mission. Photo Care (Rescue) promises to help you before a weather disaster strikes. Because the biggest regret we hear is always the same: “I waited too long.”
👉 ScanMyPhotos.com/PhotoCareHelpline
