Photos hold memories of the past. It’s important to keep the photos because, if they are not treasured, over time they will be lost and they might be impossible to get back.

At the end of August, several people in Solano County were forced to evacuate because of the wildfires that were creeping into the region. They were given limited time to gather their belongings, what was important to them. While many scooped up the obvious items – some clothes and food, important documents, pets – the challenge was knowing what else to get. For many, the answer was simple, pictures. One local news story featured a woman who had evacuated and, on her way, she found an old wedding photo that someone had left behind in a rush to flee. Using social media and the support of television news, she was able to find the owner of the treasured picture.

The value of a picture, whether it is an old family photo or something stored on a computer or phone, cannot be measured.  Use time this month to print some photos that you have stored on your phone and display them where people can see them. Identify the scene and participants on the back of printed photos to remind yourself, and future generations, what they contain. Organize vintage photos from earlier generations and put them in a safe place. Make Save Your Photos Month an annual tradition and preserve your irreplaceable memories for years to come.

Are you afraid you will wait too long? Mark your calendar for Save Your Photos Day on September 26 and make it a family project for the day. You’ll be glad you did.