Looking through old photos is nothing new to me. I grew up in a family that always had a camera in hand, capturing every moment they could— every gift unwrapped, every trip taken, simple picnics in the park, summer days at the lake, and even the quiet, mundane moments at home. Our house was stacked with tubs of photos, and my grandparents’ bookcases were full with albums.

As a kid, I thought it was just fun to look back at all those pictures. But as I’ve grown older and faced the heartbreak of losing loved ones, I’ve realized those tubs and albums hold some of the only tangible pieces I have left of people who mean the most to me.

The recent fires in California, along with other disasters we’ve witnessed in 2024, have been gut-wrenching. Seeing videos of firefighters carrying out boxes of people’s treasured photos and keepsakes has also been a sobering reminder of how unpredictable life can be. Growing up, I remember being asked, “If you had to save one thing from your house in a disaster, what would it be?” My answer has always been the same: the pictures.

All of these feelings and experiences led me to start The Keepsake Co. I wanted a way to quickly and safely preserve all those tubs and albums of photos in one place; protected from water, fire, fading, scratches, etc. I decided to fully invest in this side of the photography world—not just for myself, but for others who feel the same.

Sure, I could have shipped all my photos to a company across the country to digitize them. But if someone local was willing to do it because they truly care about preserving these moments for me, offered an affordable service, and was more accessible, I’d absolutely choose to support that business. And that’s exactly what I want to offer you.