Why “Kodak Moment” Still Matters

A “Kodak moment” used to mean something unforgettable—something you just had to capture. But those priceless moments—often trapped on tiny photo slides—can’t be relived if they’re stuck in boxes, fading with time.

If you’re lucky enough to have inherited a carousel of these little gems, there’s still time to breathe new life into them. And you don’t have to be tech-savvy or have expensive gear to do it.

How to Convert Photo Slides to Digital Pictures

You have options, but not all of them give you the same results.

DIY Slide Scanners

Consumer-grade scanners or smartphone adapters can work in a pinch. But you'll need plenty of patience—and the results may lack the detail and color accuracy those memories deserve.

Professional Slide Scanning Services

A better approach? Use a professional convert photo slides to digital service like Heirloom. Quality services:

  • Clean and handle slides carefully

  • Scan at high resolution (usually 3000+ DPI)

  • Offer cloud backup so you’re not stuck with just a DVD or USB

We recommend America’s best photo scanning service for this reason: You get high-quality images that are easy to view, share, and preserve for generations.

Why Digitize Slides?

1. Slides Fade

The dyes in old Kodak and Fujifilm slides break down. Even in ideal storage, colors shift and details vanish. Digitizing stops that decay.

2. Projectors Don’t Work Forever

Even if you still have a working projector, bulbs burn out, trays jam, and the devices aren’t exactly plug-and-play with modern TVs.

3. Cloud = Clarity, Not Clutter

Choosing a service that includes secure cloud storage means your “Kodak moments” can be:

  • Shared with family in seconds

  • Commented on and enjoyed together

  • Retrieved anytime without digging through storage bins

 

Old photo slide projector and carousel needing digitizing

 

What Format Were My Slides?

If you're unsure what type of slide you have, start here:
Read our guide on how to convert slides to digital.

From 35mm to 126 or 110 format, Heirloom scans them all. If you want to digitize slides, we’ll help you identify what you’ve got and make sure it’s rescued the right way.

 

Different photo slide formats before digital conversion

 

A Real-Life Kodak Moment (and What Happens When It’s Lost)

One of our customers brought in a shoebox of photo slides she found in her father’s attic. She hadn’t seen her parents’ honeymoon photos—ever. When she finally viewed them digitally, she burst into tears. “I’d only seen them as a story. Now, they’re part of my story.”

That’s the power of digitization. The past becomes part of the present again.

 

Emotional response to rediscovered digitized photo slides


📧 Want more tips like this?

Subscribe to Heirloom emails to learn how to preserve your priceless memories. Get discount codes for expedited shipping, quality digitizing, and secure cloud storage. We never spam, and it’s easy to unsubscribe at any time.

Sherri Chambers profile picture

Sherri Chambers

Learn More

Sherri, a former TikTok executive, joined Heirloom’s board after experiencing its exceptional digitizing service, ensuring her family’s legacy was safe and shareable.

Mentioned in this article

More stories

VHS Player and VCR Tapes

VHS Player Memories: How to Rescue Family Moments Trapped on Tape

Few devices evoke as much nostalgia as a VHS player. For many families, it wasn’t just a machine—it was a magic box that turned birthday parties, g...

Old VHS tapes ready for digital conversion

What Does VHS Stand For? Exploring the Iconic Video Format We All Loved

What Does VHS Stand For? VHS stands for Video Home System.It was introduced in 1976 by the Japanese company JVC (Japan Victor Company) as a way for...