Beyond the Storm: Salvaging Photographs and Preserving Histories

by Krista Kowalczyk

Part memoir, part practical guide, Beyond the Storm combines emotional, real-life stories with invaluable tips for digitizing, organizing, and protecting your precious memories—before disaster strikes.

After Hurricane Ian devastated her community, photographer Krista Kowalczyk turned personal tragedy into a mission to save the memories captured in photographs. Through vivid storytelling, Krista shares the heartbreak of witnessing unimaginable loss, the joy of restoring treasured memories, and the resilience of a community united in recovery. Both a personal reflection and a practical guide, this book inspires readers to safeguard their cherished moments and demonstrates the profound power of compassion in the face of disaster.

Perfect for anyone who values the enduring power of a photograph, Beyond the Storm will resonate with readers who believe in the strength of family, the spirit of community, and the importance of preserving memories.

148 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[Lindsey Medley-Debiram · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone from SWFL who also experienced Hurricane Ian, this was a very traumatic time and still to this day, damages are obvious and the area is rebuilding. When the storm was over, following Krista on social media proved to give insight that when disaster strikes, things in your home are just material items, but photos hold the true memories. Streets lined with debris and household items, put things in perspective. It helped me downsize “things” with prioritizing children’s artwork by scanning and making albums became a priority, as well as scrapbooks and loose photos becoming digital. She tells this story from her experience with Ian and how she stepped in to help others with her expertise, in the end, making a rough time, memorable for many by being able to restore photos that meant more than a couch from their home. With every story told, she offers ways to preserve those memories, many of which I started after Ian. Disaster can happen to anyone, anywhere and for generations to come, photos will always be a cherished item passed down from generation to generation, just as Krista emphasizes. Beyond the Storm is worth the read and may be the little kick of motivation you need to get those photos digital, get your digital chaos organized. Nobody is immune from tragedy. Grab a box of tissues, especially if you were present for Ian, as it will bring you back to those days. Very well written, very real to motherhood, and very real to life happens!

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Beyond the Storm, Krista does a beautiful job of telling her personal story of how Hurricane Ian presented her with a surprising opportunity - to help salvage photographs and beyond that, save memories from being lost for the people that lost so much during the storm. She weaves in anecdotes that give you a better idea of who she is and how she was able to inspire others to see the value in simply reaching out and helping someone in need. The helpful tips and questions to consider after each chapter are so useful, especially those explaining how to protect and organize your photos! This book is an example of how resilient the southwest Florida community is and how amazing it is to have people like Krista rise up to give back so much, even in the hardest of times.

[Jeanette Sopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Storm is a heartfelt blend of memoir and practical guide. Krista Kowalczyk shares her personal story of loss during Hurricane Ian and turns it into an inspiring call to protect what matters most—our memories.
With moving stories and clear, helpful tips, this book reminds us of the emotional power of photographs and the importance of preserving them before disaster strikes. A must-read for anyone who treasures family, community, and the stories captured in a single image.