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Photo & document scanning / SUMMERLAND & THE SOUTH OKANAGAN
Every photo has a story.
Prints, negatives, slides, family albums, and documents scanned into clean digital files.
Simple pricing. No surprises.
| Service | Price | Bulk / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Loose photos (per photo) | $0.50 | Volume quotes for large collections |
| Photos in albums (per photo) | $0.75 | Careful album handling included |
| Slides (per slide) | $0.50–$0.70 | Depends on the collection |
| Damaged or fragile items | Quoted | Reviewed and confirmed with you first |
Prices in CAD. Every transfer includes careful handling of your originals and digital files you can watch, copy and share. Estates and mixed collections: free quote, no obligation.
Let’s make it
happen.
Preserve family photographs alongside the letters, certificates, and records that give them context. We help turn physical collections into organized files you can share and keep.
Tell us about your project.
Tell us what you have: loose photographs, albums, slides, negatives, or documents. An approximate quantity helps us understand the collection.
FAMILY-OWNED. SUMMERLAND PROUD.
Real people.
Personal attention.
Courtney and John help families, creators, and organizations preserve, restore, and share what matters. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll talk through the project together.
Meet Courtney & John ↗
Rated 5.0 on Google
★★★★★ 5.0 from local families and businesses
★★★★★
“John is quick to respond and has a quick turn around time. He helped us get some very precious files converted to digital for my father in law’s funeral. He got this done in time. As well as converted old video camera tapes that had memories we will cherish forever. Thank you so much John at Porthos Media!”
GOOGLE REVIEW · TAPE & FILE CONVERSION
★★★★★
Read our reviews on Google ↗“I had a need for a professional looking slideshow presentation and a program. Courtney did a fantastic job and communicated with us throughout. I would highly recommend her if you want quality solutions and professional results.”
GOOGLE REVIEW · SLIDESHOW PRESENTATION
Memory preservation around the Okanagan
We are based in Summerland and help families across the valley. Please contact us to arrange a handoff before visiting or mailing originals.
TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE IN MIND
Let’s talk about your project.
Frequently asked questions
Photo Slide & Negative Scanning
Do you scan old family photos?
Yes. We scan family photographs into digital copies you can view, share, print and back up. Tell us roughly how many prints or albums you have and whether you need help organizing them. Do not force photos out of old albums; send us a sample photo and we will advise on the next step.
Can you scan 35mm slides?
Yes. We scan 35mm slides so you can enjoy the images without a projector. Give us an approximate count and tell us how you plan to use the files. For a large collection, we can discuss handling it together or planning the work in stages.
Do you scan negatives?
Yes. We scan common negative formats, including 35mm, into digital images. Send a photo of unusual sizes and tell us whether your priority is viewing, printing or archiving. We will confirm support, output options and delivery before beginning.
Can you organize the digital files?
Yes. We can group scans by year, event, person, album or original box, and use consistent file names. Keep existing labels with your collection and describe your preferred structure. We can also discuss a searchable archive and additional family copies as part of the quote.
Do you serve Penticton and Summerland?
Yes. We serve Summerland, Penticton and the wider Okanagan, with arranged local handovers and mail-in service across Canada. Contact us with an approximate count and your location, and we will confirm a convenient way to get your collection to us.
Can you scan photos for museums or archives?
Yes. We work with museums, archives, historical societies and private collections. Share sample images, the approximate collection size and any catalogue or capture requirements. We can discuss careful handling, organized files and a staged archive project.
Pricing & Turnaround
Can I get an estimate before you start?
Yes. Tell us what you have, roughly how much there is and how you want to use the files. We will provide an estimate and expected timeline before starting. If your materials are already with us and you decide not to proceed, we can arrange return by COD mail when you provide a complete return address.
Do you offer bulk pricing?
Bulk pricing may be available for larger collections. Send an approximate count of each media type and tell us whether you need folder organization, file naming, restoration or extra copies. We can then quote the collection together and discuss a manageable project plan.
How long does digitization take?
Timing depends on the collection size, formats, condition and current workload. Video and audio transfers, fragile items and detailed archive projects can take longer than straightforward scanning. Share any deadline when you enquire; we will give you an estimated turnaround before work begins.
Do you offer rush digitization?
Rush service may be available, subject to the project and our schedule. Tell us the event date, the amount of material and what you need delivered. We will confirm whether we can meet the deadline and whether a rush charge applies before you book.
Are there extra costs for damaged or difficult media?
Damaged, fragile, mouldy or difficult-to-play media can need additional assessment or restoration. Some items cannot be recovered. Describe known issues and send photos before shipping; we will explain likely extra work and costs before proceeding whenever possible.
Do I have to pay before or after the work is done?
Payment terms are confirmed with your estimate. A deposit may be needed for some projects, and final payment is typically due before files and originals are released. You will know the payment schedule before deciding to go ahead.
What payment methods do you accept?
Use the payment options shown on your invoice. These can include card, PayPal and Interac e-Transfer. If you need a particular payment method, ask us when requesting your estimate.
Drop-Off Pickup & Shipping
Where are you located?
We are based in Summerland, BC, serving the Okanagan and mail-in customers across Canada. Local handovers are arranged in advance. Contact us for an appointment and drop-off details; our published PO Box is a mailing address, not a walk-in shop.
Do you offer local pickup and drop-off?
Free local pickup and drop-off may be available for Southern Okanagan digitization orders, depending on your location, project size and scheduling. Send us your community and an outline of the collection so we can confirm arrangements before you book.
Do you serve customers outside the Okanagan?
Yes. Customers across Canada can mail media to us. Contact us first if you have an unfamiliar format or fragile items, then follow our mail-in instructions. Include your contact details, complete return address and a description of the work. We will confirm the project details after the collection arrives.
Where do I mail my digitization order?
Mail your securely packed order to:
Porthos Media
PO Box 1056
Summerland PO
BC, Canada
V0H 1Z4
Include your name, phone number, email, complete return address and project instructions. Use our mail-in instructions to prepare your package. Transit loss, delays and damage are outside Porthos Media's responsibility.
How should I package my photos, tapes, or other media for mailing?
Use a sturdy box and enough padding to stop items shifting. Keep photos and other media in their existing labelled groups, and protect records, reels and fragile items individually. Include your details and an inventory inside the box. If anything is brittle, mouldy or unusually valuable, ask us about handling before packing.
What happens if I decide not to proceed after the estimate?
You can decline the estimate. If we already have your originals, we can return them by COD mail when you provide a complete return address. Ask us to confirm the return arrangements and costs before sending your collection. Transit loss, delays and damage are outside our responsibility.
File Delivery & Storage
How will I receive my digitized files?
We can arrange USB drives, digital downloads or an external-drive archive to suit your collection. Tell us which devices you use and whether you need copies for relatives. We will confirm file formats, organization, delivery method and any drive or additional-copy costs in your estimate.
Can you put my files on a USB drive?
Yes. A USB drive provides a physical copy of your photos, videos, audio or documents. Tell us what you want to play the files on so we can discuss compatibility. We can also quote extra drives for family members; keep another independent backup of important files.
Can I get my files by digital download?
Yes, when online delivery suits the collection size and your internet connection. For files delivered through your client area, the included download period is six months. Download and back up your files during that time. Large video collections may be more practical on a USB or external drive.
What file formats do you provide?
We choose formats around how you want to view, share, print or archive the material. Audio can be supplied as MP3 or WAV; image, document and video options depend on the project. Tell us about your devices or any archive specifications before we quote so we can confirm the right output.
Do you keep a backup of my files?
We may keep working copies during production and delivery. Files delivered through the client area are available for six months, but you should download and make independent backups promptly. Do not rely on our working storage as your only copy. Ask us about any longer-term storage arrangements before the download period ends.
Safety Care & Privacy
How do you handle original photos, slides, negatives, tapes, and other media?
We handle each collection with care, whether it is a few family photos or a larger archive. Labels and project instructions help us maintain order and identify fragile items. Tell us about any damage, unusual materials or special handling needs before the collection arrives.
Are my family photos and videos kept private?
Yes. We treat your personal media and files as private and do not publish them or use them in marketing without your permission. Let us know about any particular confidentiality or access requirements before starting so we can confirm the arrangements for your project.
What happens if my media is damaged or fragile?
We assess the condition and explain what may be possible. Fragile, mouldy, tangled or damaged items can need additional work, and some cannot be recovered. Send photos and a description before shipping so we can discuss handling, likely costs and the next step.
Preparing Your Order
How should I prepare my photos, slides, negatives, tapes, or other media?
Keep your collection in its existing groups, such as year, event, album or box, and leave labels with the items. Add a short note about the folder order you would like. This helps us keep the context of your memories when preparing your digital files.
Do I need to organize everything before bringing it to you?
No. An approximate count and a few photos are enough to start a conversation. Keep any existing labels and groups together. If you want help organizing a large or mixed collection, we can include that work in your estimate.
Should I remove photos from albums?
Only remove photos if they come out easily and safely. Do not force stuck or fragile photographs away from album pages. Send us a photo of the album and describe its condition so we can recommend the next step without risking the originals.
Should I clean my photos, slides, negatives, or tapes first?
Please avoid water, household cleaners, wipes, sprays and chemicals. Old surfaces and tape can be fragile, even when they look sturdy. If an item is dirty, mouldy or damaged, leave it as-is and ask us about assessment before attempting to clean it.
How should I label my order?
Include your name, phone number, email and complete return address if mailing. Number boxes or bundles and keep descriptions simple, such as 'Wedding photos' or 'Slides, Box 1'. Add your requested folder names and any priority items to the project instructions.
Can I include special instructions?
Yes. Tell us about priorities, the order of items, names, dates and anything that must stay together. If you need particular file names, folders, copies or edits, include those details before we quote so the finished collection works the way you need it to.
Have a collection or project in mind? Start a mail-in order or ask us for a project quote.