In my work with hoarders, I have probably seen thousands of photos of events from baby showers to graduation, and everything in between. If there’s one thing most of us seem to have in abundance, it’s photographs! But how can you take a pleasant walk down memory lane if your pictures are mixed up with recipes, bills, and last week’s flyers? Digital photos may not clutter your home, but if they’re not organized, they can clutter up your hard drive.
Decide whether you’d like to organize your film or digital photos first, then follow these four steps.
STEP ONE – Develop (film) or Download (digital)
Develop all canisters of film OR download all pictures off the digital camera.
STEP TWO – Edit
Duplicate photos should be given away/deleted! The ‘give-away’ system can be as simple and economical as using envelopes or Ziploc baggies labeled “Grandma” or “School”*. There is no reason to hang onto 30 pictures of your child’s first day of school. In contrast, photos become lavish gifts when presented in a leather photo envelope or inserted into glass bookends. A nice gift for grandparents is to insert a photo into a pre-matted frame and let little ones sign their names on the mat.
*The school envelope is for that time of the year when your child is “star student”. During this period teachers often ask you to submit pictures and a brief write up of interesting tidbits about your child, family, pets, sports, etc.
Film and Digital
- Get rid of blurry, out of focus photos.
- Do not keep several copies of the exact same subject matter.
- Pick the best and get rid of the rest.
Digital
- Delete all photos you don’t love.
- Remove Red Eye
- Crop and Rotate
- Adjust Color
- Resize
STEP THREE – Categorize Your Photos
Regardless of which method you prefer, film or digital, it’s best to stick with a logical naming convention: I suggest year first and then subject. For example, digital photos could be grouped like this:
1st option: Group by Category/Topic
2010 Vacation to Midwest
- Illinois
- Chicago
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Detroit
- Traverse City
- Mackinac Island
- Wisconsin
2nd option: Timeline
Create a folder for each month (2010_04, 2010_05, etc.). This way your computer does the work for you (putting them in chronological order.)
Film photos could be grouped according to topic like this:
School Pictures – Chris
School Pictures – Cole
Or by season:
2010 – Spring
2010 – Summer
2010 – Fall
(Tip: Write on the back of each photo with a pigma pen; the ink is acid-free, and won’t fade. Pigma pens are found at craft stores.)
STEP FOUR – Handle With Care and Keep Secure
Film: Have a safe place to keep photos; invest in an archival-quality photo box or album – one that is lignin-free and acid-free). These are sold at scrapbook stores, craft and hobby shops, or online.
- Store the box in a cool, dry place – not the basement, attic, or garage. Humidity, heat, and light will destroy photos.
- Note: Make copies of ultrasound photos, they are not acid and lignin free.
- Boxes are easier and faster than albums. They offer order without the inconvenience of an album in the event you want to add or subtract photos often.
- If you want to save negatives, a box is best. Make sure the box is sturdy and acid-free. Slide the negative sleeve into a ”negative envelope” and label it with a pigma pen.
Digital: Upload your edited photos to an online service like Snapfish, Photobucket, or Shutterfly. Make sure you label these files the same as your folders to avoid confusion when retrieving photos.
Back Up! Once you’ve added your photos to a third-party site it is a wise idea to order prints (if you want them). Last and certainly not least, back up your data! Most online services will let you order a backup CD of your photos or you can back-up on your own.
In the words of U.S. lawyer and civil rights activist, Florynce R. Kennedy, “Don’t agonize. Organize”. With the tips above, your photo collections will be looking great in a snap. Now, SMILE and say, “Cheese!”
