For a photo stuck to the inside of a frame’s glass or an album page, photograph it through the glass or in place, rather than trying to peel it free, which risks tearing the emulsion (image layer) away from the paper.
What you need
- The framed or stuck photo
- A clean, soft cloth for the glass, if photographing through a frame
- Good, even lighting
- Your phone camera
Why photos genuinely fuse to glass or pages
Old photos can genuinely fuse to glass or album pages over years, especially in humid conditions. Forcing them apart very often tears or lifts the image surface, causing permanent damage that professional conservation may not even be able to fully fix.
How to digitise it without forcing it free
- Don’t attempt to peel or force the photo free yourself. This is one of the more common ways people permanently damage an otherwise recoverable old photo — resist the urge, even if it seems like it might come away easily.
- If it’s stuck to frame glass, clean the glass gently first. Wipe the outside of the glass with a soft, dry or barely damp cloth to remove dust or fingerprints that would otherwise show in your photograph.
- Photograph the photo through the glass or as it sits on the album page. Position your phone directly above, avoiding your own reflection and any glare, and capture the image as clearly as possible in its current state.
- Take multiple shots adjusting your angle to minimise glare. Glass and album page laminate can both create reflections; try a few different angles and lighting positions to find the clearest shot.
- For a genuinely important photo, consult a professional conservator. A conservator has specialised techniques and materials for safely separating a stuck photo that aren’t safe to attempt at home, and can advise whether attempting separation is even worthwhile for that specific photo.
Check you have a usable copy either way
Check your photographed copy captures the full image clearly, without glare obscuring important parts of it, even if the physical original remains stuck in place.
If the photo is stuck fast and won’t budge
If glare is unavoidable through glass, try photographing at a slight angle rather than dead-on, or in a darker room with a single controlled light source rather than bright overhead lighting.
Next step
For other fragile originals, similar careful handling applies — see Digitise a damaged or curled photo without causing more damage.
Sources and date checked
General handling guidance based on common photographic-conservation advice for stuck or fused photos; not a substitute for professional conservation on valuable originals. Checked 22 September 2026.