How to digitize your old photos
All methods to transform your paper photos into quality digital files. Smartphone, scanner or professional service: find the right solution.
Updated on
3 methods to digitize your photos
Each method has its advantages. Choose the one that fits your needs.
With a smartphone
Use an app like Google PhotoScan or Photomyne to scan your photos directly from your phone.
Fast, free, always available
Lower quality than a dedicated scanner
With a flatbed scanner
Place your photos on a flatbed scanner and digitize at 300 dpi minimum (600 dpi for small formats).
Excellent quality, faithful colors
Requires a scanner, slower
Professional service
Entrust your albums to a professional digitization service for optimal results on large volumes.
Optimal quality, time-saving
Paid, a few days turnaround
Tips for successful digitization
Good lighting
Position yourself in a well-lit room with diffused natural light. Avoid shadows and direct reflections.
Clean first
Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove dust. A mild alcohol wipe for stubborn stains.
Stable surface
Lay the photo flat on a clean surface. Use small clips to hold it down if it's curled.
High resolution
Digitize at 300 dpi minimum. For small photos (under 10 cm), prefer 600 dpi to preserve details.
What's next? Bring them to life
Once your photos are digitized, Mnemovid can transform them into living memories.
AI Animation
Transform a still portrait into an animated video. Your loved one smiles, moves, comes to life.
HD Restoration
Our AI repairs scratches, stains and degradation for a flawless result.
Automatic colorization
Add natural colors to your black and white photos with one click.
Frequently asked questions
What resolution should I use for digitization?
300 dpi is the minimum for good quality. For small photos or if you want to enlarge, prefer 600 dpi. Beyond that, the gain is marginal for much larger files.
Which smartphone app do you recommend?
Google PhotoScan (free, iOS and Android) is excellent as it automatically eliminates reflections. Photomyne is also a good option for scanning multiple photos at once.
How to digitize fragile photos or those stuck in an album?
Never try to unstick a photo from an album — you risk tearing it. Photograph it directly in the album with good lighting. Our AI can crop and enhance the result.
What file format should I use?
JPEG is the most universal and works in most cases. For archival preservation, TIFF or uncompressed PNG are preferable but create larger files.
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Your photos are digitized?
Upload them to Mnemovid and transform them into living memories. It's free to get started.