Media Handling & Care Policy
Last updated: June 2026
At Cherish Me, we understand that many of the photographs, tapes, films and recordings entrusted to us are unique and irreplaceable.
These are often more than media formats. They are family histories, celebrations, milestones, voices, memories and moments that cannot be recreated.
We therefore treat every project with care, discretion and respect throughout the digitisation, restoration and delivery process.
Receiving Your Media
When media is received, it is carefully logged and checked against the information provided with your order.
We may perform a visual inspection to assess the condition of the materials and identify any obvious damage or preservation concerns before work begins.
Where possible, customers are encouraged to clearly label items and provide any relevant notes regarding content, dates or special handling requirements.
Storage and Handling
All customer media is stored in a clean, dry environment while work is being undertaken.
Reasonable precautions are taken to minimise the risk of accidental damage during handling, playback, scanning and transportation.
Access to customer media is restricted to those directly involved in providing the requested services.
Original materials are handled only as necessary to complete the work requested.
Playback and Scanning Equipment
Cherish Me uses professional and specialist equipment designed to minimise unnecessary wear on original media.
Where appropriate, media may be inspected, cleaned or stabilised before digitisation.
However, customers should be aware that older formats such as VHS tapes, camcorder tapes, film reels, photographs and audio cassettes may already be degraded due to age, storage conditions or previous use.
In some cases, deterioration may become apparent only during playback or scanning.
Digital File Handling
During processing, temporary digital working copies may be created to facilitate digitisation, restoration, editing or delivery.
Reasonable measures are taken to protect these files from unauthorised access, loss or accidental deletion.
Where practical, working files may be backed up during active projects to reduce the risk of data loss.
Confidentiality
Customer media is treated as private and confidential.
We will not share, publish, distribute or use customer photographs, videos, recordings or other submitted materials for marketing, demonstration or promotional purposes without the customer's explicit permission.
Any examples shown on our website, social media channels or promotional materials are used only with the consent of the media owner.
Delivery of Completed Work
Completed projects may be delivered by secure digital download, USB storage, hard drive, optical disc or other agreed methods.
Customers are encouraged to create and maintain their own backups of all delivered files.
While every effort is made to ensure successful delivery, long-term preservation remains the responsibility of the customer once files have been received.
Return of Original Media
Original photographs, tapes, film reels, recordings and other submitted materials remain the property of the customer at all times.
Original media will normally be returned upon completion of the project unless alternative arrangements have been agreed.
Where media is returned by post or courier, reasonable care will be taken in packaging and dispatch.
Customers should inspect returned materials promptly upon receipt and notify us of any concerns as soon as possible.
File Retention
Unless otherwise agreed, digital working files and completed project files are normally retained for up to 90 days following delivery.
After this period, files may be permanently deleted without notice.
Customers should ensure they have downloaded, copied and backed up all delivered files before this retention period expires.
Existing Damage and Preservation Limitations
Many older photographs, tapes and recordings arrive with existing wear, deterioration or damage.
Examples may include:
Fading and colour shifts
Scratches, tears and emulsion damage
Mould or contamination
Tape degradation
Audio dropouts
Tracking errors
Missing sections of content
While every effort is made to preserve and improve material where possible, restoration cannot guarantee the recovery of all lost detail or damage.
Results will vary depending on the condition of the original source material.
Our Commitment
Cherish Me was founded on a simple belief: memories deserve to be preserved with care.
Whether we are handling a family photograph, a wedding video, a recording of a loved one's voice or a treasured home movie, we approach every project with the same objective — to preserve and protect what matters most, with professionalism, sensitivity and respect.