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| Get Organized Now! |
Photographs capture the special times in your life like nothing else, and keeping them safe and vibrant
is essential if you want to enjoy them for years to come. Too often, photos get shoved in drawers or
left in piles, creating unnecessary clutter and often damaging precious photos beyond repair.
If you use a digital camera, the clutter may not be as visible – but if your hard drive is full of
disorganized photo files, you’ll have a hard time finding pictures when you want them. And, when photo
files are disorganized, it’s too easy to delete files accidentally and lose those images forever.
Making your photo collection 'picture perfect' doesn’t have to be difficult - it just takes a little time and a
little know-how. Here's how you can streamline the process of organizing your photos, one step at a
time.
is essential if you want to enjoy them for years to come. Too often, photos get shoved in drawers or
left in piles, creating unnecessary clutter and often damaging precious photos beyond repair.
If you use a digital camera, the clutter may not be as visible – but if your hard drive is full of
disorganized photo files, you’ll have a hard time finding pictures when you want them. And, when photo
files are disorganized, it’s too easy to delete files accidentally and lose those images forever.
Making your photo collection 'picture perfect' doesn’t have to be difficult - it just takes a little time and a
little know-how. Here's how you can streamline the process of organizing your photos, one step at a
time.
- Start with the present: Did you snap a roll of film at your niece’s birthday party today? Fill the
memory card with images of that spectacular sunset? These are the photos with which you
should begin your organizing project. There’s no time like the present, and you’ll have an easier
time putting photos in a cohesive order while the chronology of the day is still fresh in your mind.
- One step at a time: Organizing your photos may be a big project, but you don’t have to do it all
at once. In fact, the process will be more enjoyable if you take your time, and enjoy your photos
as you’re sorting them.
- Develop a system: When you envision your photos neatly displayed in albums, how do you see
them grouped? Do you sort by event or by subject? Do you want to sort your photos
chronologically or piece them together like a collage?
- Decide on a showcase: Will you print your digital photos or store them in an album on your hard
drive? Will you display your prints in albums, or store groups of loose photos in envelopes or
photo boxes? Once you’ve chosen your display, purchase any materials you’ll need, including
albums, double-sided photo tape, scrapbooking supplies, etc. Planning beforehand will also keep
you from overspending on materials.
- Weed your photo garden: Why hang on to blurry, duplicate, or off-center shots? If you’re dealing
with traditional film photos, toss all but your favorites. If you’re going digital, delete anything you
wouldn’t bother to print.
- Consider your Storage: How much space do you have to store your photo collection? Photo
boxes, available at most crafts stores, are a great option for non-album prints since they’re easy
to label and stack neatly in cupboards and closets. When weeding out your collection, take into
account just how many boxes or envelopes will comfortably fit in the storage space you’ve
allotted. Also ask yourself how many more photos you plan to take in the near future, and how
much room you will need to store them. For digital files, many websites offer online scrapbooking,
album-making, and archiving features, and cost very little to use. Check out shutterfly,
kodakgallery.com, and myfamily.com.
- Label EVERYTHING: Store sorted prints in envelopes or photo boxes even if you ultimately plan
to display them in albums: this will protect them from light, dust, and sticky fingers. Label even
these temporary homes with subject, date, or other info so you know exactly what’s in there.
Digital files should be sorted into folders which are clearly labeled with dates and subjects.
- Back up: Be sure to back up all your digital photo files. CD’s are a great way to store digital files:
label them clearly, store them in protective sleeves or jewel cases, and slip them into photo
boxes with your loose prints for safekeeping.
- Let your kids help – and your siblings, your parents, your spouse, your friends … If you make
organizing that daunting pile of photos into a fun family project, the work will go faster, and you
may make more memories in the process.
- Last but not least: Focus on what works for you. If you’re not into scrapbooking or album-
making, don’t do it: forcing yourself makes the task stressful, not enjoyable. If you want albums
but don’t have the time or patience to put them together, enlist the help of a friend or family
member who does.
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| Picture Perfect: Organizing Your Photos |
