Digital photos

25 Jun 2025

Digital photos: storing, sharing and preserving your memories

When you think about it, photos are our own personal time machines – windows into the people, places and moments that have shaped our lives. With digital cameras and smartphones making it easier than ever to capture memories, the next step is knowing how to store, share and preserve them for years to come.

Storing safely

Gone are the days of bulky photo albums taking up shelves. Today, digital photos can be stored securely in a range of formats. USB drives, external hard drives and SD cards offer easy offline storage, while cloud-based services such as Google Photos, iCloud or Dropbox provide remote backup and peace of mind in case of device loss or damage. Make it a habit to back up your photos regularly – ideally in more than one place – to avoid the heartbreak of accidental deletion or tech failure. 

Sharing made simple

Sharing your favourite moments with friends and family has never been easier. Most smartphones allow you to send photos instantly via text, email or apps like WhatsApp. For more organised sharing, try creating digital photo albums online – platforms like Facebook, Flickr or private family websites can act as virtual scrapbooks where loved ones can view and comment from anywhere in the world. You can even create printed photo books online for a tangible keepsake to gift or treasure. 

Preserving for the future

Digital photos may feel less vulnerable than prints, but they still need care. Keep file formats up to date – JPEG and PNG files are widely supported and likely to remain accessible for the long-term. Rename important files with clear dates or names for easier searching later. If you have older photos stored on CDs or outdated devices, consider transferring them to modern storage formats before they become unreadable. 

Get organised

It’s easy to snap thousands of photos, but finding the one you want later can be tricky. Take some time every few months to go through your collection. Delete duplicates and blurry shots, and organise photos into folders by date, event or person. Many apps now use facial recognition and geotagging to help with this process. 

Treasure the moments

Whether it's a grandchild’s first steps or a long-lost travel adventure, your photos are stories worth saving. By taking a few simple steps to store, share and protect your digital memories, you can ensure they continue to bring joy for you and generations to come.