The weather is changing and the holidays are just around the corner. That’s when memories are created and most photos are taken. If you are like me, you’re sentimental about the past and love to revisit memorable events and people captured in photos. Unfortunately, a cardboard box in the attic or basement won’t preserve these treasures forever, and moving ever so often isn’t helping you keep track of them either.
If you are looking for a little inspiration and guidance to get your printed photo collection organized, have no fear, Organized Chick is here for y’all. Here are some simple tips to get you started on organizing and storing your printed photo collection.
SIMPLIFY: DECLUTTER YOUR PILES OF PICS
Start with your why. Get clear on the goals you have for your photos. Why is it important for you to preserve your memories? Did someone recently get married, have a baby, or just getting older and may not be with your family for much longer? Who and why are these photos important and what do you want to do with them? With this in mind, you have to give yourself a reasonable goal and timeline of what you want to do with your photos.
Set up your workspace. Grab a notebook, pen, sharpie, Post-its, trash bags, rubber bands, and some photo sorting bins. Optional: dental floss, cotton gloves, photo pencil, index cards, photo box.
Pull everything out and group like-with-like. Gather your printed photos, albums, and any other photo-related items like frames. Separate any mementos.
Process your photos and categorize them. Discard or recycle any photos that you do not love, need, or care about including blurry images, dupes, and bad memories. Categorize your photos into common categories.
PRO TIP: There is no hard and fast rule here. You can categorize by person, family, event, theme or holiday, date and time, etc. I like to use this organizer and sort each person by color. I’m pink, my husband is blue and each girl has their own color.
STREAMLINE: OPTIMIZE YOUR PHOTO COLLECTION
Think about what you want to do with your photos. How would you like to access them? Do you want to scan and store, scan and toss or just organize for now?
Double-check your collection. Is it in the right order? Are you happy with your categories? Order your photos in a relative chronology within categories before you scan or store them.
Scan your photos. Scanning at home is easier than ever, but if you’re not the DIY type, you can outsource this step. Keep your categories labeled if sending off and make sure they are scanned at a minimum of 600 dpi.
Identify and cull your favorite photos. Flag, star, or highlight any photos you want to frame, resize, or send to a loved one.
Back up your collection. To preserve your memories over time, I recommend backing up your photos in three places: external hard drive, a cloud, and a safety deposit box. Not all are necessary but good to have, just in case.
Implement storage. Once your photos are scanned, backed up and saved, store your printed collection in an acid-free storage box.
BONUS: Add an extra layer of protection with a weather-tight storage bin if stored in the basement, attic, garage, or anywhere exposed to the elements.
Label. Once your photos are organized into storage containers, label the outsides of the boxes, main, and subcategories.
STYLE: CURATE YOUR PHOTO COLLECTION
Think about how you want to view your photos. Do you want to create a gallery wall or make photo albums? Make a shareable online gallery. Implement a few of my favorite tips below:
Curate a gallery wall. Refresh your home and bring it into the present with an intentional gallery wall.
Create photobooks. Great for gifts, and super special for kids, photobooks are a great way to turn your memories into a tangible heirloom.
Style your shelves. Personalize and bring some life to your shelfies. What shelves could use a little personal touch?
Create a sharable album, video, or slideshow. You did all this hard work, why not share it? Try an app like Smugmug, Google Photos, or Shutterfly.
Organized Chick has been serving the Metro Atlanta community for over 8 years and a proud local and national member of NAPO. Organized Chick specializes in residential organizing, home office organizing, small business organizing and relocation services. When you are feeling overwhelmed, or needing more help? Organized Chick can create a personalized work space for you and your children and help you maintain a balanced working-home. Contact us now for a consultation.
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