Most of us have hundreds (or thousands) of photos tucked away in our phone galleries, from random street sights to endless selfies. These days, capturing a moment is as easy as tapping a screen. But back in the day, snapping a photo wasn’t quite so simple. Still, our ancestors managed to capture some truly candid and surprisingly relatable moments.
One place that celebrates this beautifully is The Way We Were, an online group dedicated to sharing captivating vintage photos that offer a glimpse into the past. Most of today’s collection comes from personal family archives, filled with charm, quirks, and a delightful touch of chaos. So, scroll on to discover these captivating glimpses, and don’t forget to drop your thoughts in the comments.
#1 My Mom Linda — Then: The First Black Woman To Complete Delaware’s Army National Guard Ocs (1977). Now: Reading Your Reddit Comments, 46 Years Later. She Finally Feels Seen
Image credits: Jim_Leggett89
#2 A Photo/Message My Grandma Sent To My Grandpa While He Was Overseas In WWII
He was stationed on a boat in the Philippines and kept this the whole time. Saved it until his death a few years ago.
Image credits: Ivantroffe
#3 Young Girl & Her Ride In 1947 NYC
Image credits: OtherwiseTackle5219
Did you know we take a staggering 5.3 billion photos every single day? That breaks down to about 61,400 every second! The average American alone snaps around 20 pictures a day. Whether it’s selfies, food pics, pets, or random sunsets, that’s a lot of digital memories. But let’s be honest…how many of those actually see the light of day again? Most get lost in our camera rolls, never to be seen or appreciated. It’s time we did something more meaningful with our snaps!
Some photos make it to Instagram or get shared in group chats. Others might get a quick thumbs-up and disappear into the cloud forever. But what about the hundreds (or thousands) of photos just sitting on your phone? You probably have a dozen pictures from your last vacation or your cousin’s wedding that you’ve totally forgotten about. So what can you do with them instead of letting them gather digital dust?
#4 1920 Alaskan King Island Inuit Mom & Child
Image credits: OtherwiseTackle5219
#5 My Great Grandma C. 1942
Image credits: Apprehensive_Sky5078
#6 Couple Of Ladies From Zanzibar, Tanzania Pose For A Portrait In Bright Smiles, 1900s
Image credits: Electrical-Aspect-13
To help us reimagine how we use our photos, Bored Panda reached out to Maina Bhuna, a delightful arts and crafts teacher from India. Maina has helped hundreds of people turn their forgotten photo collections into heartwarming and artistic keepsakes. With a touch of creativity and love, she gives everyday pictures a new life. “People often don’t realize the beauty they’re capturing,” she says, “until they see it in a new form.”
#7 Turning 104 This Year!
Image credits: Efficient-Ticket-271
#8 Little Girl Loves Her New Puppy 1950
Image credits: OtherwiseTackle5219
#9 African American Woman Poses For Her Solo Photo In The Late 1890s
Image credits: Electrical-Aspect-13
“People come to me with photos of their grandparents, children, weddings, and we turn them into scrapbooks, photo boxes, and memory albums,” Maina explains. These handcrafted pieces often become treasured family heirlooms. “The best part is that it’s not just about the photos. It’s the little notes, the dates, the memories that make it extra special.” Imagine gifting someone a handmade book of their childhood memories, priceless, right?
#10 My Mom Sr. Year Of High School. She Made Her Outfit
Image credits: WerkitMom
#11 My Great Great Grandmother In 1910
Image credits: taviaevon
#12 My Grandmother Was Stunning
Image credits: Haveybabby
“If you're into DIY,” Maina adds, “try making a photo frame yourself!” Her tip? Use pistachio shells to decorate the edges; they look surprisingly chic when painted! For beach vacation pics, she recommends using real seashells for that coastal vibe. “People love it,” she smiles, “because instead of boring store-bought frames, it becomes a little piece of art.” It’s a fun weekend project, too.
#13 Young Lady Show Off Her Long Thick Hair By Letting It Lose, Circa 1880s-90s
Image credits: Electrical-Aspect-13
#14 2 Girls From Krakow, Polonia Smile For The Camera Dressed On Their Traditional Clothes, 1983. Kodachrome Shot
Image credits: Electrical-Aspect-13
#15 My Grandparents In 1983. Both Passed Within A Year Of Each Other. This Picture Always Felt Like A Sitcom Still
Image credits: AutumnXtravaganza
But wait, it gets even more creative. “We often use photos on practical, everyday items,” she says. Think pen holders, personalized clocks, or photo calendars. It’s a great way to keep your favorite moments close, literally. “Every time you check the time or grab a pen, you’re reminded of your loved ones,” Maina shares.
Feeling a little bold? “For people who are confident,” Maina says, “we paint their pictures on T-shirts, tote bags, or cushions!” It’s a unique way to wear your memories and definitely a conversation starter. “Sometimes it’s a portrait of a pet or a loved one who passed,” she explains, “and it becomes a deeply personal piece.” It’s art you can actually carry with you.
#16 A Woman Working In The Rail Road Yard In The 1940s During The War Time. Marcella Hart, Mother Of 3 Working To Support Her Children, Clinton, Iowa, April 1943
Image credits: Electrical-Aspect-13
#17 Ladies Enjoy The Atlantic City Beach, 1960s. Note: Apparently This Was The "Chicken Bone Beach"
Image credits: Electrical-Aspect-13
#18 My Mother During Army Kitchen Duty, Late 1970s
Image credits: whitesock
Another brilliant idea? Paper collages. “It’s one of my favorite techniques,” Maina beams. You cut your photos into fun shapes and mix them with decorative papers, stickers, and even dried flowers. “It’s playful, therapeutic, and so beautiful to look at.” A collage can go on a canvas, in a notebook, or even framed as wall décor.
#19 Before And After, Circa 1905
Image credits: Slow-moving-sloth
#20 A Woman Showing Off Her Cat's Belly, C. 1910, From Ross J. Kelbaugh's "Catographics" Collection
Image credits: nipplequeefs
#21 Father And Me 1946. Upon His Return From WWII. He Left When I Was Six Weeks Old
Image credits: Zealousideal-Row419
One of Maina’s most touching projects is helping families build photo-based family trees. “We go through old albums, scan faded photos, and trace lineage through pictures,” she says. “It’s especially beautiful for kids to see generations of faces before them.” With a bit of crafting magic, you can turn it into a decorative piece to hang at home. A true blend of ancestry and art.
#22 Friends Celebrate The Birthday Party Of A Young Lady (Green Dress), Circa Mid 1950s, Kodachrome Shot
Image credits: Electrical-Aspect-13
#23 Dangerous Playground Of The 1970s - Photos That Prove Safety Wasn’t A Priority
Image credits: unl0veable
#24 1900s, Little Girl Walking Her Cat In Cleveland
Image credits: OtherwiseTackle5219
“Photos are more than just memories,” Maina says. “They connect us to people, stories, and emotions.” In a world of fast scrolling and filters, there’s something grounding about revisiting old photos and giving them new meaning. Whether it’s through crafts, gifts, or décor, your photos deserve a second life. And honestly, it’s the most heartwarming kind of DIY.
#25 Grandpa Made A Nice Haystack In 1929
Image credits: 60andwaiting
#26 My Great-Great-Grandmother, Early 1970s, Papua New Guinea
Image credits: ladyweirwood
#27 My Mom 1958. She Worked For A Company That Developed Film. They Asked Her If She Would Mind If They Took Her Picture
Image credits: crazypaintinglady
Well, these posts remind us that behind every photo lies a moment worth cherishing. Which one was your favorite? Did it inspire you to finally dig out that old family album? There’s something magical about old photos: they connect us to our roots, spark memories, and tell stories we may have forgotten.
#28 Summer In Amsterdam 1965, My Mother Sunbathing On A Balcony
Image credits: Background_Citron801
#29 My Older Sister In 1970. She Was The Best Older Sister You Could Ask For. I Miss Her
Image credits: CaterpillarMission46
#30 A Young Woman And Her Dog At A Park (C. 1950s)
Image credits: animator1123
#31 1898-My Great Grandma (The Toddler Being Held) And Her Family
Image credits: 0nesandzer0es
#32 Photo From My Grandmother's Time Working At Continental Bank In Chicago In The Early 80's
Image credits: OkAd1688
#33 My Parents Encountering A Rice Barrage After Leaving Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Church On Their Wedding Day In 1949. Married 60 Years Until Dad Passed And Mom Will Be 100 In A Few Months
Image credits: MyDogGoldi
#34 My Grandma And Her Twin Next To My Grandpa And His Twin On Their Wedding Day. Early 1950s
Image credits: 50north14east
#35 This Young Lady Grew Up To Become My Lovely Wife. This Is She In 1957
Image credits: Dhorlin
#36 My Grandparents Moving Into Their First Apartment
Image credits: stayyyfree
#37 Easter 1964.. I Would Always Get A New Outfit. That’s Me In Yellow,mom, Younger Brother, Older Brother And My Cousin
Image credits: crazypaintinglady
#38 1984: My Mom As A Baby Being Held By Her Mom And Aunt. I Love How Happy And Full Of Life And Love This Moment Feels!
Image credits: Kovrenn
#39 My Grandpa Living His Best Life. Late 1960s I Believe
Image credits: zsepthenne
#40 More Of My Adorable Grandmother In The 1960s
Image credits: mais03_
#41 My Brother Passed Away Yesterday Unexpectedly (Age 57). Here We Are With Our Dad When We Were Small (Brother Is On The Right). He Was The Best Brother!
Image credits: peaceluvbooks
#42 Dec.1943. An Italian Family Sits Down To Dinner In Tarrytown, New York As Documented By Eliot Elisofon A Life Magazine Contributor. The Photo On The Wall Is Of A Son Kia During The Invasion Of Sicily
Image credits: CryptographerKey2847
#43 My Boyfriend And I, NJ, 1983
Image credits: Slow-moving-sloth
#44 Mom Serving Homemade Appetizers At My Folks’ Annual Neighborhood Christmas Party, 1963
Image credits: dittidot
#45 Grandma & Mom, 1972 (Burger King Birthday)
Image credits: karmicnegotiations
#46 Giving My Mom A Big Smile, 1954
Image credits: dittidot
#47 Me, 1959, With Wagon And Duck
Image credits: DanDi58
#48 Me 1981.. I Sure Enjoyed My Legs!!
Image credits: crazypaintinglady
#49 Thanksgiving, 1958
Image credits: Les_Turbangs
#50 1950s Alaska, Near Skwentna
Image credits: wormmurmur
