What is Capture Australia?

Capture Australia is a photo digitisation service that scans printed photos and albums using proprietary glare-removal technology. We work with a network of partner shops in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra and Brisbane. Customers drop off their albums or loose prints at a local partner shop, and the shop handles the scanning before returning the originals safely.

Where do I get my photos scanned?

Capture Australia operates through partner shops in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra and Brisbane. You bring your albums or loose prints to the nearest partner location, leave them for scanning, and collect them once the job is done. Visit captureaus.com/where-to-scan to find your closest shop and its opening hours.

What technology does Capture Australia use to remove glare?

Capture Australia uses a proprietary 8-layer glare-removal process. The scanner captures multiple exposures of each photo through the album plastic sleeve, then processes those layers to strip out glare and reflections. The output is a clear, detailed digital copy, produced without ever removing the photo from the album.

Do my photos need to come out of the album?

No. The scanning technology works through album plastic sleeves and pages, so your photos stay exactly where they are throughout the process. There is no risk of tearing, bending or damaging the originals at any point.

What sizes of photos does Capture Australia scan?

Capture Australia scans printed photos across a wide range of sizes. Small wallet prints, standard 4x6 inch and 5x7 inch photographs, 8x10 portraits and larger prints up to and including large format scanning of framed portraits and artworks, with a capture area of up to 45cm x 70cm. The proprietary scanning equipment is physically installed at each partner shop, built specifically to handle this full size range without removing photos from their sleeves, albums or frames. The same 8-layer glare-removal technology applies at every scale, so the digital output is sharp and consistent whether the print is a pocket-sized snap or a large framed portrait or artwork. Slides, negatives and film require different equipment and some partner shops like Photoland, Camera House and Retromedia offer these services. The wider Capture group covers those formats outside of Australia at capture.com and capture.hk.

How are my digitised photos delivered?

Once scanning is complete, your photos are delivered as high-resolution digital files on a USB drive or via a secure online downloadable link. Confirm the delivery method with your partner shop when you drop off your photos.

Is Capture Australia listed in Google Photos?

Yes. You can find Capture Australia in the Google Photos app import function. In the Google Photos app or website, tap the '+' button, select 'From other places', then choose 'Digitise physical photos' to find us. After we deliver your files via USB or downloadable link, you upload them to your Google Photos account yourself through the app on your own device.

Is the scan quality consistent across all partner shops?

Yes. Every partner shop uses the same Capture Australia proprietary scanning workflow and glare-removal technology, so the output quality is consistent regardless of which location handles the job. Each photo goes through the same multi-layer processing at every shop.

How much does photo scanning cost in Australia?

The cost depends on your situation: the partner shop you use, the size of your collection, whether you need express turnaround, and whether any additional manual steps are involved, such as archival full-page captures or handling unusually fragile prints. Our semi-automated scanning workflow keeps the baseline cost low, because the technology does the heavy lifting on each photo rather than requiring hour-by-hour manual labour. Different partner shops run their own promotions from time to time, and larger collections can qualify for better rates. The best way to get an accurate figure is to contact your nearest partner shop with a rough count of your photos and albums.

What should I do with old cameras?

You have four main options: display it, repurpose it, sell it, or donate it. Old film cameras and vintage models often make great display pieces or DIY projects, and rare bodies or lenses can be worth money to collectors even when they no longer work. Old video cameras and camcorders can hold sentimental family footage worth transferring off the tape before you part with the camera. Old digital cameras with little resale value are usually best donated to a school, charity or op shop, or sold second-hand if they still work. Whatever the camera type, check what it's worth to you and to others before deciding.

25 Heartwarming Gifts for Grandpa

25 Heartwarming Gifts for GrandpaDiscover thoughtful gifts for Grandpa that preserve family memories with Capture Australia's digitisation services.

Heartwarming Gifts for Grandpa

If your grandpa is celebrating Father’s Day, a birthday, or another special occasion, finding the perfect gift can be a challenge. Grandparents often cherish presents that come from the heart, especially those that create new memories with loved ones. Our guide to the best Father's Day gift for the dad who wants nothing is great to read alongside this one. Here at Capture Australia, we've been preserving memories for over 25 years. We’ve curated a gift guide to help you choose a thoughtful gift that will create unforgettable memories for your granddad.

Read on for a variety of ideas, including personalised gifts like photo albums and memory jars, experience-oriented gifts, nostalgic treasures, and keepsakes.

Personalised Gifts for Granddad

Personalised photo album or custom photo book - Capture cherished memories with a custom photo book. Use our glare-removal technology to digitise old prints into lasting keepsakes.
Digital photo frame pre-loaded with family pictures - Transform old photos into digital memories and display them in a digital frame. Our professional digitisation service delivers high-quality images that granddad can enjoy daily.
Customised calendar with family photos - Create a calendar filled with family photos and important dates. It’s a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year.

Family tree frame or wall art - Celebrate your family lineage with a beautiful wall display.
Personalised "memory jar" - Fill it with stories, notes, and traditions. The jar becomes a living memory that grows with each family gathering.

Experience-Oriented Gifts

Planned day trip to a favourite spot - Whether it’s a day at the beach or exploring the local bushland, creating new memories with family is invaluable.
Tickets to a concert or sports event - Give the gift of a memorable outing. Whether it's footy or a concert, these experiences are treasured for life.
Family picnic or BBQ - Organise an outdoor gathering. It’s a great way to spend quality time with granddad.

Cooking or gardening class - Learn something new together, creating lasting memories over shared hobbies.

Nostalgic and Sentimental Gifts

Scrapbooking kit - Compile treasured memories in a scrapbook. It's a personal project that granddad will love.
Personalised puzzle - Get a favourite family photo printed on a puzzle. It’s a fun way to relive memories.
Family portrait session - Capture new memories with a professional photo session. It’s a gift that lasts a lifetime.

Handwritten letter - Express your gratitude and love in a heartfelt letter. It's a timeless gift that granddad will treasure.

Adventure and Exploration Gifts

Weekend getaway - Organise a family trip to a favourite Aussie destination. It’s a perfect way to unwind and create new memories.
Membership to a local attraction - Give a season pass to a nearby museum or garden. It’s a gift that granddad can enjoy throughout the year.

Creative Projects and Keepsakes

DIY project kit - Work on a hands-on project together. It’s a wonderful bonding experience that results in a cherished keepsake.
Family recipe book - Compile favourite family recipes and stories. It’s a culinary tour through your family’s history.

Practical Gifts That Still Feel Personal

Not every meaningful gift needs to be handmade or elaborate. Sometimes a practical item chosen with care means just as much. A comfortable armchair upgrade, a quality set of gardening tools, or a subscription to his favourite magazine can show you've paid attention to what he actually enjoys day to day. If grandpa is into technology, a large-button phone or an easy-to-use tablet loaded with family photos can help him stay connected with grandchildren, especially those who live further away. Pairing a practical gift with something sentimental, such as a small framed photo alongside a new gardening tool, often strikes the right balance between usefulness and heart.

Choosing a Gift Based on His Personality

The best gift for grandpa often depends on what kind of person he is. For the storyteller who loves recounting the old days, a memory jar or a guided journal with prompts about his childhood and career can help capture stories that might otherwise fade from memory. For the practical grandpa who prefers doing over talking, a shared project like restoring an old tool shed or building a birdhouse together creates memories without requiring sentimental language. For the grandpa who lights up around grandchildren, consider gifts that centre on spending time together, such as a day out fishing, a trip to the football, or simply a standing weekly coffee catch-up. Matching the gift to his personality, rather than following a generic list, is what makes it feel truly thoughtful.

Preserving the Stories Behind the Gifts

Many of the gifts above naturally open the door to storytelling. A memory jar, a scrapbook, or a family recipe book all encourage grandpa to share memories from decades past. It's worth capturing these moments while you can, whether by recording a short video of him telling a story or jotting down notes afterwards. If he has old photo albums tucked away that go with these stories, Capture Australia's digitisation service can bring faded prints back to life, so the pictures that inspired the story keep the same quality as the memory itself. You can then weave these digitised photos back into future gifts, from photo books to slideshows for milestone birthdays.

Give the Gift of Memories

Ready to get started? Whether you are in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra or Brisbane, find a Capture partner shop near you and drop off your photos or book a pick-up. Grandpa will have his memories back in digital form before you know it.

Help preserve your granddad’s treasured memories with Capture Australia’s professional digitisation services. Our glare-removal technology keeps modern photos, and even the oldest photos, in stunning clarity.

Looking for more occasion ideas? Explore our dog memorial gift ideas, or try creating an Australian graduation memory book for a recent graduate.