Photo & Slide Scanning Services in Zionsville, IN
Your family's history is fading. Here's how to save it.
Old photos don't just fade gradually — they can be destroyed by moisture, humidity, and biological damage that builds silently over years. Once a photo or slide is gone, it's gone. The shoebox in your closet isn't getting safer with time.
At Ellegood Photography, I offer local, hand-scanned digitization for prints, slides, and negatives right here in Zionsville. Your irreplaceable memories never leave my care — no shipping, no risk, no strangers handling your family history. Just careful, personal work from a local photographer who treats your photos the way I'd want someone to treat mine.
What We Scan
Photo Scanning
Loose prints up to 8.5 x 11
600 dpi: $0.35 per image
1200 dpi: $0.70 per image
Slide Scanning
Standard 2x2 slides
Scanned at 3000 dpi
$0.35 per slide
Negative Scanning
Standard 35mm
Priced per frame on strips with 2 or more frames
Every frame on the strip is scanned
$0.35 per frame
Why Local Beats Mail-in-Service
National services like Legacybox and ScanMyPhotos are heavily advertised — but they involve shipping your one-of-a-kind originals across the country in a box. Here's what's different when you work with me:
Your photos never leave Zionsville
Every item is hand-scanned — never batch-processed
Color correction and dust cleanup are included on every scan
You never pay for images that are beyond repair
Direct communication with the person doing the work
Your originals are returned exactly as you gave them to me
Color Correction
Every photo we scan has a minimal amount of color correction included. Here is an example of how a scanned paper photo can look after color correction. Results will differ from photo to photo, but most scans end up looking cleaner and closer to how the moment was meant to look.
What Does the Process Look Like?
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Helpful guide for estimating:
1 inch of prints = about 100 photos ($0.35 per print for 600dpi and $0.70 per print for 1200dpi)
1 inch of slides = about 20 slides ($0.35 per slide)
1 roll of negatives = 24 to 36 frames ($0.35 per frame)
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Remove all prints from albums, frames, and binders
Keep photos loose in zippered plastic bags
Group in sets if you want custom folders
Keep negatives in their sleeves, do not cut them
Slides can stay in carousels or go in bags
Write simple labels on each bag if you want custom folders.
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Click one of the “Start Your Order” buttons on the webpage. We’ll pick a time and talk through any special notes.
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Everything stays local and handled by us.
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Color correction and dust cleanup included.
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Free download link active for 30 days.
Thumb drive option available for $10. -
Everything you gave us comes back to you.
FAQs
How should I prep my photos?
Remove all prints from albums, frames, binders, and sleeves. Keep photos loose in zippered plastic bags. For custom naming, group photos in sets and write a short subject on the outside or on a sheet of paper in the bag.
How should I prep slides?
Place slides in a plastic bag or leave them in carousels. If you want to name them, label the bag with a short subject.
How should I prep negatives?
Keep negatives in their current sleeves or envelopes. Do not cut them apart. Negatives scratch easily.
Do I get everything back?
Yes. All prints, slides, negatives, sleeves, and envelopes are returned.
Do you offer photo books, prints, or canvases?
Yes, on request. If you want a printed keepsake, let us know.
How will I get my digital files?
You’ll get a download link active for 30 days. You can also add a thumb drive for $10.
Can I ship my photos?
Right now this is a local drop-off service. If shipping is your only option, send us a note and we can talk.
How long will it take?
Up to 400 items — 15 business days
401 to 1200 items — 15 to 18 business days
1201 to 2400 items — 18 to 20 business days
2401 and above — let's talk
Why Resolution Matters
600 dpi is the recommended resolution for scanning your printed photos. The higher resolution is important when it comes to enlarging, reprinting, and editing the photos. For prints smaller than 4x6, you should consider having them scanned at 1200 dpi.
Resolution Comparison
At 600 dpi, you can print up to twice the original size, and at 1200 dpi, you can print up to four times the original size. A 4x6 print scanned at 600 dpi will produce a digital photo of 2400 x 3600 pixels. For comparison, a 4K TV is 3840 x 2160 pixels.
Does Resolution (dpi) Matter?
Estimate Your Project Costs
Take a minute to estimate the cost of your project. Estimates are just that…an estimate. This price is not guaranteed but should give you a pretty good idea of what your project costs will look like.
Ask About Bulk Discounts
1,000 to 2,000 items — 10% off
2,001 to 4,000 items — 15% off
More than 4,000 — reach out for a custom quote
Frequently Asked Questions About Photo Scanning
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You can have your physical media digitized right here in Zionsville at Ellegood Photography. Unlike national "big box" mail-in services, I provide a local drop-off and pick-up experience. This means your one-of-a-kind family memories never leave Boone County and are never at risk in the mail. I personally handle the scanning of your prints, 35mm slides, and negatives to ensure the highest quality preservation.
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For most standard photo prints, I scan at 600 DPI or 1200 DPI (dots per inch), which is perfect for reprints and digital sharing. For smaller media like 35mm slides or negatives, I use much higher archival resolutions to ensure every detail is captured. This allows you to enlarge those small frames into beautiful, high-quality prints without losing clarity.
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Pricing for photo scanning in Zionsville depends on the volume and the type of media (prints vs. slides or negatives). I offer competitive rates for bulk "shoebox" collections as well as premium, frame-by-frame restoration for damaged heirlooms. For a custom quote on your specific archive, feel free to contact me via the form above or drop by our Zionsville studio.
We treat your images like they are our images. One of our favorite experiences has been digitizing our own family’s slides, negatives, and old photos. We loved seeing images we had never seen before and probably hadn't been seen by anyone in our family for decades! This is the experience we want you to feel as well!
Providing local photo, slide, and negative scanning services in Zionsville, IN. Your family memories never leave our care.