@xmaslightguy - That's nice. Seems you've been listening to a lot of them since you've worn out CD Players 😁
I also agree, it's not the best place to store photos on CDs, as only you need a few scratches and the CD is done. Back then you could do it on CDs, as where else could you store? But nowhere days you have a Computer, Pendrive, etc. If it's not your only place to store images, then I guess you're good 👍
No, scratches aren't the issue. Data disks use a lot of redundancy and error correction.
The big problem is that CD-Rs use dyes that can degrade over time, just like pictures and slides can fade in color. This is different than pressed CDs - those use physical hills and valleys, and not dyes. Though in certain batches, the reflective layer can oxidize (more often seen in laserdisks).
Archival rated CD and DVD-rs exist. You can consider those for long term storage, because HDDs may physically go bad and wear out in 10 years or so, and all solid state memory is not archival rated at all.
I just keep multiple copies of my media on HDDs that i replace every 10 years or so.