Historic photographs tell important stories, and caring for them well can make all the difference. In this webinar recording, Rebecca Elder, cultural heritage preservation consultant and conservator, shares approachable, practical guidance on advanced photo preservation—including cased images, storage, mold concerns and emergency response.
Whether you’re managing a collection, preserving family photographs, or simply want to better understand these historic formats, this session offers helpful takeaways you can use right away. Rebecca explains how to identify daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes, how to store them safely, and what steps to consider when photos have been affected by mold or water damage.
In this recording, you’ll learn:
- How to identify early photographic processes.
- Best practices for storing cased images and uncased tintypes.
- What to do when photographs are exposed to mold or moisture.
- When it makes sense to handle a situation yourself and when to call a conservator.
If you missed the live event, now is the perfect time to catch up. The recording is ready to watch whenever it’s convenient for you. And if you haven’t seen it yet, Photo Preservation 101 provides a great foundation for this more advanced presentation.
Resources & Recommendations from Rebecca
Preservation & Conservation
- Process Identification (Graphics Atlas)
- Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, and Tintypes (PSAP)
- Cased Images Wiki (PMG)
- Find a Professional (AIC)
- Guide to the Preventive Conservation of Photographs (The Getty Conservation Institute)
- Photographs: Archival Care & Management (SAA)
- 🚨 National Heritage Responders (Volunteer Emergency Assistance)
Humidification & Flattening
Product Recommendations
Rebecca Elder
Owner of Elder Preservation
Cultural Heritage Professional
Rebecca Elder is a cultural heritage preservation consultant with extensive experience in helping clients preserve their history collections. She offers tailored preservation plans for various institutions and is known for her warm and supportive professional style.