(678)579-2249
How It Works

From Your Home to Our Studio — and Back Again

Sending away family photos, videotapes, film, audio, and other irreplaceable memories can feel like a big step. Our process is designed to make it simple, clear, and personal from the moment you start your order until your originals come safely back home.

Most customers ship their memories to us from across the country. Atlanta-area customers are also welcome to bring orders directly to our studio.

Step 1
01

Gather & Organize

No complicated prep required

Organize as Much — or as Little — as You Want

You do not need to spend days sorting everything before sending it to us. Many customers send their memories exactly as they have been stored for years — in boxes, albums, bags, carousels, envelopes, and containers.

If you do want specific digital folders, family groups, years, events, or other organization preserved, simple labels can be very helpful. In general, the more clearly your collection is organized, the easier it is for us to preserve that organization in the finished digital files.

The important thing is not perfection. Keep related memories together, label anything that matters to you, and let us handle the rest.

See the Organizing Memories Guide
Step 2

Start Your Order

You can start online before you ship anything to us. The order form gives us your contact information, the types of memories you are sending, and any special instructions you want us to know.

You do not need to know the exact number of photos, tapes, reels, discs, or other items in advance. A reasonable estimate is enough to get started, and we can confirm the details after your order arrives.

Tell Us What You Have
Photos, tapes, film, slides, audio, discs, albums, scrapbooks, or a mixed collection.
Add Special Instructions
Tell us about folders, labels, sequence, delivery preferences, rush needs, or anything unusual.
Send the Collection
Once the order is started, pack and ship your memories or bring them to our Atlanta studio.
One Important Thing

Estimates Are Fine

If you think you have 800 photos and it turns out to be 1,050, that is not a problem. If you are unsure whether a tape is VHS, Hi8, MiniDV, or something else, that is fine too.

The order form starts the conversation. We confirm what is actually in your collection after it arrives.

Step 3

Pack It or Bring It In

Most customers ship their memories to us from around the country. Atlanta-area customers are also welcome to bring their order directly to our studio.

Shipping Your Order

Pack It Securely and Use Tracking

Use a sturdy box, keep organized groups together, fill empty space so items do not move around, and place your name and contact information inside the package.

We recommend using a major carrier with tracking so you can follow the package all the way to our studio.

Atlanta Walk-In

Prefer to Bring It Yourself?

Local customers are welcome to bring their memories directly to Memory Fortress in Atlanta. This is especially convenient for large collections or anyone who simply feels better handing the box to us in person.

We are located at 2250 North Druid Hills Road NE, Suite 128, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.

Need the Full Packing and Shipping Instructions?

Our Shipping & Logistics guide covers packing, carriers, tracking, what happens when your box arrives, return shipping, and local drop-off in much more detail.

See Shipping & Logistics
Step 4
04

We Check In Your Order

Once your memories arrive, we identify the order, review your instructions, and make sure everything is connected to you before production begins.

Your Box Does Not Just Disappear Into a Warehouse

We know these materials may be irreplaceable. When your order arrives, it is checked in by our team at our Atlanta facility and matched with your contact information, order details, labels, and special instructions.

1. Arrival

We confirm that your shipment has arrived at our Atlanta studio.

2. Check-In

Your order is identified and matched to your paperwork, contact information, and requested services.

3. Instructions

We review any folder names, labels, sequencing, delivery preferences, rush requests, or handling notes you provided.

4. Production Prep

Your materials remain grouped and identified as they move into the appropriate digitizing workflow.

✓

We Call You When Your Shipment Arrives

We call every customer on the day their shipment arrives so you know your memories are here and safely in our hands.

Your order stays with our own team at our Atlanta facility. We do not send your memories somewhere else to be digitized.

Step 5
05

We Digitize & Review

This Is Where the Real Work Happens

Your materials are handled by our own team using the equipment and workflow appropriate for each format. Photos are scanned, tapes and film are converted, audio is transferred, and digital media is copied according to the services in your order.

Throughout production, we work to preserve the grouping, labels, sequence, and other organization you asked us to maintain.

1

Prepare

We prepare each media type for the correct digitizing workflow while keeping your order identified and organized.

2

Digitize

We create the digital files using the appropriate scanners, playback equipment, capture systems, and production tools.

3

Organize

Requested folders, labels, sequences, and groupings are carried into the finished digital collection where applicable.

4

Review

Before the order is completed, the finished work goes through a quality-control review.

In-House Production

Your Memories Stay With Our Team

The digitizing work is completed at our Atlanta facility by Memory Fortress staff. Your originals are not shipped off to another company or an outside processing center.

Quality Control

We Review the Finished Order

Before your order moves to delivery and return, we review the completed work so obvious problems can be identified before everything comes back to you.

Large orders, mixed-media collections, unusual formats, and complicated organization are normal for us. You do not need to simplify your collection just to make it easier for us.

Step 6

Delivery, Payment & Return

When production and quality control are complete, we prepare your digital files, finish the billing, and return your original materials.

1

Receive Your Digital Files

Depending on your order, your finished files can be delivered on a USB or USB-C flash drive, through a cloud download link, or by another delivery option selected for your project.

2

Finish the Balance

If a balance remains on the order, we finalize it before the completed project and original materials are returned.

3

Your Originals Come Home

Your original photos, tapes, film, audio, discs, albums, and other materials are packed for return and sent back to you with tracking.

Return Shipping

Simple, Tracked Return

Completed orders of $200 or more receive free return shipping. Orders under $200 have a $15 return-shipping charge.

You Keep the Originals and the Digital Copies

Digitizing does not replace your original collection. You receive the digital files we create, and your original materials are returned to you when the project is finished.

From Beginning to End

Your Memories Come Back Home — With a Digital Future

The goal is simple: preserve what matters, make it easier to enjoy and share, and return the original pieces of your family history back to you.

Ready When You Are

Ready to Get Started?

Start your order online, review pricing, or use one of our detailed guides if you still have questions about organizing, packing, shipping, or preparing your collection.

Have an unusual collection or just not sure where to begin? Call us at 678-579-2249. A real person will answer.