Do People Care About Their Old Family Photos?

Have you ever wondered why some people don’t care when it comes to their family’s printed or digital photos? All those precious memories, like time in the proverbial bottle, but not seeming to feel any real concern or interest about them.

The Difference Between Caring And Not

For those of us passionate about preserving pictorial treasures, it can be frustrating when others don’t feel the same. However, it is important to remember that every person cares about different things in different capacities. Therefore, not caring does not necessarily equate to indifference. Instead, it may indicate interests lying elsewhere or a self-preservation method to prevent overwhelming oneself, especially these days when there are infinite things vying for our attention. 

What Affects Us Is What We Focus Upon

We, as human beings, innately have the tendency to focus on and care about things that directly affect us. As such, people prioritize their passions in different orders. But, just because someone seemingly doesn’t care about their photos doesn’t mean that can’t change. 

All It Takes Is A Spark

Often times, those most hesitant and least interested in exploring the possibilities of unlocking the power in their photos are the ones who feel unaffected by their photos. In order to inspire interest in photos, you have to address the matter in a way that resonates with the person. Rather than imposing on a family member, approach the subject and offer perspective so that they can make meaning and find value for themselves. Since everyone cares about something, listen and learn what your they are passionate about. 

Build Trust

It is important to remember that most of those who are hesitant and seemingly uninterested in organizing, viewing and preserving their photos are overwhelmed by the idea. Be sure to extend yourself as a resource and reassure your family that the process is not nearly as daunting as it seems. Remind them that you can do this project together and reiterate that once order is restored, they will be able to enjoy and appreciate their memories forever. 

Cathi Nelson, author of Photo Organizing Made Easy, is the founder of APPO (Association of Professional Photo Organizers), a membership organization dedicated to helping thousands of entrepreneurs from around the globe build successful photo preservation and organizing businesses.