- There are large photo archives but still most images remain unseen
- Cunard’s exhibition highlights the need to preserve physical memories
- Shared experiences create a lasting photographic record for history
Americans take an astonishing 230 billion photos every year, with the vast majority trapped at business ministers, but new research has claimed that all could be in danger of being lost without warning.
A report from Luxury Cruise Line Company Cunard says photo books, when a staple with family memory preservation, has become less common as only 3% of Americans store images in printed form, with most people prefer to keep them on phones or in cloud storage.
The fall raises concerns about whether digital images will remain available over time, with nearly three -quarters of Americans who fear that without physical copies, future generations may lose valuable memories.
Shrinking tradition of printed photos
Many people assume that their digital photos will always be available, but this is naive – as over half of Americans have had to delete images due to storage restrictions while others have lost images when they change or damage their phones.
Despite these risks, only one -third of the Americans surveyed reported with the help of cloud security copies, leaving countless moments vulnerable to losses, while 54% believe their digital images will still be available in 50 years, deterring their use.
While Americans take an average of 17.3 photos a week, this number jumps to over 60 when on vacation. Easy to capture images has led to an ever -growing digital archive, albeit one with an uncertain future.
Similar trends are seen in the UK and Germany; Brits catch 35 billion images annually, while the Germans take 38 billion, but only 2% of the British and 4% of the Germans save them in printed albums.
Concerns of long -term availability are a little more urgent here, with only 51% of the British and 58% of Germans being sure their digital photos will still be available for half a century.
In response to the growing dependence on digital storage, Cunard encourages people to share their holiday memories as part of a special exhibition.
“As a unique resource that captures Cunard’s unmatched 185-year-old history, the Cunard Archive is an incredible collection available to everyone. It is exciting to see how today’s events will shape the Cunard archive of the future and capture the stories of those associated with the brand, ”said Siân Wilks, Cunard Archives at the University of Liverpool Library.
Curated by photographer Mary McCartney, this showcase aims to highlight the importance of preserving images beyond digital screens.
The exhibition, which will be shown in Liverpool’s liver building, will include both historical and newly submitted photographs offering a visual timeline of almost two centuries of transatlantic journey.
“For 185 years, our ships have been at the heart of unforgettable moments for millions of guests and crew,” said Katie McAlister, President of Cunard and emphasized the importance of the initiative.
“This is a chance to celebrate these memories and the stories they tell. By sharing your experiences, you help Mary McCartney create something truly unique – an exhibition that brings Cunard’s incredible story to life for everyone to enjoy. “
