Key Takeaways
- A new study from ScanMyPhotos.com identifies the most photographed cities and landmarks from the film era in the U.S.
- The survey analyzed responses from 250 families alongside AI analysis of thousands of digitization orders.
- Key locations include New York City, Los Angeles, and Orlando, highlighting where families focused their photography.
- The study reveals that 96% of analog photos have never been viewed again after being developed, indicating hidden visual history.
- ScanMyPhotos helps preserve this history through high-volume photo scanning and services since 1990.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Film Era’s Most Photographed Places. AI analysis pinpoints the cities and landmarks most often captured before the digital age.
Irvine, CA. Before smartphones filled camera rolls, families preserved their lives on film. A new study from ScanMyPhotos.com reveals the U.S. cities and everyday settings most often captured during the analog era. The finding also shows 96% of all analog photos have not been viewed since they were first developed.
The results are based on a combined survey of 250 families and an AI analysis of thousands of digitization orders. Together, the findings highlight which places mattered most to American families, resurfacing decades later as collections of nostalgia pictures are converted from albums and shoeboxes into digital archives.
Where America Pointed Its Cameras Before Smartphones
- New York City, NY – Times Square, Central Park, Lady Liberty ferry rides
- Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood sign, palm-lined streets, Pacific sunsets
- Orlando, FL – Disney parades, theme parks, vacation memories
- Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field, skyline, Lake Michigan views
- Family Gatherings at Home – Birthdays, holidays, everyday activities
- Las Vegas, NV – The Strip, Fremont Street, Caesars Palace, Bellagio Fountains, Concerts/shows, Restaurant dining
Why It Matters
“These photographs show what mattered enough for families to preserve on film,” said Mitch Goldstone, CEO and Chief Photo Archivist at ScanMyPhotos. “They weren’t casual snaps. Each one took time, cost, and intention. Now, as they resurface, they tell us more about American life than any digital feed ever could.”
Methodology
The study is based on two parts: A survey of 250 ScanMyPhotos customers digitizing their collections. AI analysis of thousands of orders, identifying recurring locations and themes across archived film, slides, and negatives.
Key Insight
Nearly all printed analog photos remain hidden. The study found that 96% of developed film photographs were never viewed again after being first developed. This underscores how much of America’s visual history has stayed unseen for decades.
About ScanMyPhotos.com
Founded in 1990, ScanMyPhotos has preserved one billion photographs. Based in Irvine, California, the company specializes in high-volume photo scanning, same-day services, and secure nationwide shipping with GPS tracking — helping families, institutions, and archives preserve their visual history.
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