‘History of Memory’ Documentary Celebrates the Power of Printed Photos

In today’s digital-first world, some of our best memories are stored on our phones.

From birthday parties to graduations to random everyday events, photographs capture a moment in time. And with quality-grade cameras in the palm of our hands, we’re creating those memories at lightning speed. However, whether momentous or mundane, many of those images never leave the digital realm. In the new documentary, “History of Memory,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last week, shows viewers that printed photographs can be a vital key to our history and more.

Through four intriguing real-life stories, the 23-minute short documentary takes viewers on a journey of how a printed photograph changed their lives. From love at first sight to a remarkable discovery that uncovers a deep family secret, “History of Memory,” shares in great detail the power and impact a printed photo can have on a person.

Directed by filmmaking duo Sarah Klein and Tom Mason, the four stories are incredibly emotional and enlightening. In ‘The Secret Album,’ a woman learns about falsehoods surrounding her family’s identity. This account proves just how important photographs can be to preserving our history and past. In ‘At First Sight,’ love is centerstage as a photograph ignites an unrelenting passion between two strangers across continents. Who says love at first sight only applies to in-person encounters?

Courtesy of HP

In ‘China Lost and Found,’ one man’s trash becomes a treasure for thousands. A French archivist finds a treasure trove of film in the trash in China and turns the photos into a fascinating global exhibit for all to see. ‘It’s a Boy,’ is a sentimental nod to the beauty and impact of baby photos – especially for families who adopt children beyond that stage.

Courtesy of HP

Watch a clip from the film’s second chapter, ‘The Secret Album’:

Each of the clips beautifully reminds us how printed photographs can impact lives in ways unimaginable. As someone who has thousands of photos on my phone, this documentary inspired me to print some of the special ones. First, I have to find the right printer that makes it easy to print them from my phone.

Me with my husband Marcus during the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of “History of Memory,” in New York City on May 3, 2019.

HP has a few that might be the answer to my phone-trapped photos. The company, which sponsored the film offers a variety of pocket-size printers that are ideal for people like me who take tons of photos daily, but never get them printed. With a portable printer, you can print swoon-worthy selfies or snaps from unforgettable fête at your fingertips.