Back Up Your Photos
After scanning, to insure that your photos are secure, you should have them copied to at least three different kinds of media and store them in at least two separate locations.
Three Different Kinds of Media
One media type that I would highly recommend is an external hard drive. You can purchase a 500 GB to 750 GB hard drive these days for less than $100. There are several 1-2 TB hard drive (1000 GB) for that you can now purchase for $100. The prices will continue to go down. You can fit a lot of photos on a hard drive that size. These hard drives are reasonably affordable and portable. You plug them into any computer via USB and your files are readily accessible.
Another media form you may choose to use are DVDs. DVDs are also very affordable, but they need to be rotated often (every 5 years or so). I backup all of my digital camera photos on DVDs for storage and security purposes and store them in my fire safe.
You may also choose the internet as a backup source. I have a photo database online where I put all of my best digital camera photos. If anything should happen to the other copies that I have I can always access my database online and download the original photo.
Your original slides, negatives or prints can count as one storage source of your photos. What ever you do DON'T throw away your negatives and slides. Be sure you are storing them in archival quality protectors and you might even consider purchasing a waterproof fire safe for your more important negatives, slides and prints. Make sure the safe is made of safe acid free material or you may do more harm than good.
As technology advances through the years other media devices will appear that may give you more options for storing photos. In the not so distant future, USB flash drives may be the more efficient photo storage media.
Two Separate Physical Locations
As I said before, you should have your photos in at least 2 separate physical locations. Make copies of DVDs and send them out to your family. The more people you share your photos with, the better chances you have of preserving them.
I back up my photos on my dad's external hard drive and he backs his up on mine. You could also look into storing your photos at your work place.
The more copies you have made and distributed of your photos, the more secure your photographic memories will be.
