This same logic applies to other physical items such as artwork, posters, furniture, trinkets, etc.

Now about toaster; taking pictures of all of items in your house can be a great way to recall what you actually own in case of theft or vandalism, fire or other such disaster. It is often hard to remember all of items you own and this is especially true when under a great deal of stress. My insurance agent told me once that claims can be settled much quicker with this kind of documentation because you have proof of what you owned.

I strongly recommend having a number of copies made and storing two copies in a safe deposit box at your local bank. These storage facilities are generally fire proofed, temperature and humidity controlled but you should inquire just to be safe. Another option is to give a friend or family member a copy. They should store CD in its case in a cool, dry place in home; more people who store a copy of your digital archive, greater chance that it will remain undamaged over time.

There are definitely more uses for your camera as an archiving tool than have been covered here. If you use a little imagination and ingenuity you will find yourself coming up with all kinds of ways to put your trusty old or new camera into service.

Jay Corrao is the founder and president of Memory Archivers, a video production company based in Apple Valley Minnesota. His company specializes in wedding and event videograpy, video biographies, and consumer digital archiving.

You’re Audience Who is desired audience for your project? Is it close friends or relatives, will your Piece de Résistance be passed down to future generations for their viewing pleasure? Sometimes these questions must be answered before any other considerations because they may determine what kinds of stories and how much detail you will add.

The Delivery Method For many years VHS tape was standard for viewing video at home. However DVD is now medium of choice for many reasons. On screen menus and chapters that allow for much easier navigation, superior audio and video quality, and longevity are just a few reasons DVD has become so very popular. However internet has also become a viable means of delivering video. If you have a personal website then family and friends around globe can access your video as soon as it is posted.

All of points above require serious consideration and expertise. A professional video biographer can help you answer these questions and more. They can keep you on task, help you stay focused, and craft your project into a meaningful video biography that will be cherished by family and friends now as well as future generations to come.

Jay Corrao is the founder and president of Memory Archivers, a video production company based in Apple Valley Minnesota. His company specializes in wedding and event videograpy, video biographies, and consumer digital archiving.