Two boys sitting on rocks beside a river, with a boat docked behind them and a houseboat in the water.
Two boys sitting on rocks beside a river, with a boat docked behind them and a houseboat in the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Handwritten note on lined paper, signed by someone named 'Dewey'.
A collection of military dog tags with engraved text, attached to a ball chain, resting on a flat surface.

  • I create visual archives as a way of preserving and documenting the objects, collections, and things worth keeping.

    Whether your collection is tucked away in a box or taking up more space than you have to give, a visual archive gives you a way to preserve it without having to physically keep every object.

    By creating high-quality scans and documenting the details that make each piece meaningful, I catalogue, measure dimensions and weight, note color, materials, condition, wear, and write descriptions or stories about the objects. The result is a detailed record of your collection that can be preserved and shared for years to come.

  • Flatbed scanning captures extraordinary detail with even lighting and true-to-scale clarity. Every scratch, texture, and tiny imperfection becomes part of the image, creating an portrait of your objects that even the best cameras in the world simply can't replicate.

    I scan everything with my two Epson Expression 10,000XL archival scanners which are capable of capturing over 281 trillion unique color profiles and up to 12,800dpi. For comparison, an iPhone can capture about 16 million colors at 300dpi.

  • Every archive includes high-resolution digital files that preserve your objects in extraordinary detail. These files serve as a permanent digital archive and can be used for both personal preservation and future creative projects.

    You're not limited to digital files, either. Your archive can be transformed into museum-quality prints, framed artwork, books, postcards, stickers, greeting cards, and virtually any other printed material. Because the scans capture such incredible detail, they can also be used for custom illustrations, jewelry, tattoos, textiles, and other one-of-a-kind keepsakes. If you have an idea, I'd love to help bring it to life.

  • Every archive is quoted individually, but start at $75 an hour. The total cost will depend on the size of your collection, the complexity of the arrangement, and the level of documentation you'd like included.

    Some archives simply involve creating a beautiful scanned composition and can be completed in under an hour.

    Others include extensive cataloguing, written documentation, measurements, condition notes, and other archival records, taking anywhere from several hours to multiple days. Because every project is unique, the best way to determine pricing is to reach out, we'll talk through your goals and I'll provide an estimate before any work begins.

  • Almost anything! Big collections, small collections, family keepsakes, heirlooms, wedding mementos, baby items, jewelry, travel souvenirs, natural specimens, artwork, books, photographs and more. If you're unsure whether your objects are a good fit, let’s talk!

    While the scanner has size limitations, many larger objects can still be documented through creative compositions and multiple scans.

    If you’re looking for inspiration on what to bring to your own archive session, checkout the inspiration page. I’ve also created a non-comprehensive list below of objects that I’ve archived previously.

    • Rocks, minerals, shells

    • Leaves and pressed flowers

    • Heirloom jewelry

    • Keys, keychains

    • Coins

    • Buttons

    • Marbles, dice, dominos

    • Matchbooks

    • Ticket stubs

    • Postcards

    • Handwritten letters

    • Polaroids and photographs

    • Children's artwork

    • Baby shoes

    • Pet collars, tags, and microchips

    • Ribbons and medals

    • Pins and patches

    • Vintage toys

    • Tiny plastic animals

    • Bones and fossils

    • Feathers

    • Insect specimens

    • Fabric swatches

    • Maps

    • Pocket knives

    • Watches

    • Anything that can fit in the palm of your hand

  • Local clients are welcome to drop off their collections or schedule an in-person scanning session. If you're not local to Cincinnati, you can securely ship your objects to my studio.

    For valuable or irreplaceable items, we'll work together to determine the best packing, shipping, and insurance plan before anything is sent. If you’re interested in sending me your collections, fill out my contact form and tell me a little bit about what you keep.

  • Absolutely. Many collectors have a vision for how they'd like their objects displayed or have certain pieces they'd like featured more prominently.

    If you're able to visit my studio in Cincinnati, Ohio, we can work side by side to create a composition that feels personal and meaningful.

    For larger or special projects, I'm also open to discussing travel and on-site archival sessions.

  • Not at this time.

    While I can beautifully reproduce printed photographs including vintage photographs, tintypes, cabinet cards, silver gelatin prints, and other historical photographic processes, I don't currently have the equipment needed to properly digitize film negatives or transparencies (slides). If your archive includes both photographs and film, I'm happy to discuss options and recommend the best approach.