Digital Photo Organization

There are currently 27,920 photographs stored on my computer.

No, I am not kidding.

Why so many?

Well, the digital phenomena of shoot-a-lot-because-we-can-delete-anything took hold -- except for the delete part. Then I could also suggest that we are taking better photos and more of the photos we take are worth keeping. I guess that is the result of the practice, practice, practice that the shoot and delete option frees us up to do. And, then there is blogging. Yeah, uh-uh, you know what that means. LOTS more pics.

So how to manage them all, and stay sane doing it?

Now with a toddler who, until recently, did not regularly sleep through the night, I often have an hour or two, or even three, in the wee hours of the morning to work on photos and albums digitally. (Because I can't get back to sleep.) But, I needed to keep track of what I was doing from morning to morning. Of course, after the day really began, I wasn't going to remember anything!

First I used sticky notes, but they always became unstuck and got lost. So, I threw together some index cards and got my act together last fall. 

In fact, because of the index card organization, and many 4AM mornings, I was able to catch up almost an entire year of photograph organization and electronic storage. And, we all know that storage somewhere other than the hard drive is critical, right?

This is not a promotion for Shutterfly, but you'll notice that it is one place that I store my important photos. I am pleased with the service, the options, and the quality.

Now, I do not download all photos to Shutterfly - only those that 1) are going to be in an album, 2) are documenting something for the home, such as an insurance claim 3) any extras to put on the my share site for family, 4) any to print.

The index card system worked so well for me, I upgraded it for 2012. I decided to stick with the index cards themselves, as they are easy to stash in my upper desk drawer, and they fit perfectly on the desk between my wrists at the keyboard (no resting my wrists on paper, or a notebook, etc.). The color has been changed for quick distinction between years, and I did put the year on these. (I also went back and put the year on the first set too.) The cards are also numbered in the upper corner to help keep them in order.

 I do download photos from my camera to the computer more than once a month, but the first column above is for my final check that all photos are indeed downloaded for that month.

No stragglers!

At the beginning of each year I create all monthly and other specific folders, such as January through December, Videos, and Donations, etc. Then all I have to do to organize photos coming in is to create folders inside each monthly folder for specific occasions.

My camera does date and number the pictures, but I have found it so much easier, when working with pics later, to have a short description too. For example, I may rename pics of my daughter playing with her toys as 04.02.12 TA Play -- and, yes, I always abbreviate and use initials. If I select all the photos to rename for an event at the same time, the program will add the numbers after the title for all additional pics after the first one.

To purge, I keep scratch paper handy at this stage of organization for jotting down the numbers of pics to delete while viewing them at large size in the photo viewer. It's easier to go back and hold the control key and select the pics to delete all at once. Then, if a lot were deleted, I may go back and rename again just to have the numbers all in order - I know, a bit obsessive, but it is organized!

This is where I check off that the pics are uploaded to the photo storage site. Should I come across an event that I know someone else has photos of that I'd like (like my mom), this is where I make a note in that month. 

Shutterfly does provide the platform for a personal photo site. This is how I share photos with family and friends, rather than on Facebook. I have my account set up to not email them automatically, so I make a note of when I send email notifications out periodically.

I have been a traditional scrapbooker for a long, long time. After much deliberation, consideration, and discussion, I have decided to do digital scrapbooking as well with the goal of making that my primary means of album creation.

So far, I like it a lot! There are many pros to doing it the digital way. However, I do miss the tactile and meaningful way in which photos and mementos are placed on a page.

This index card is for tracking those photos to be mailed to grandmas without computers, for framing and gifting. Then when I get a promo code for free prints, I know just the ones I need. No more wasted free prints coupons!


I must add that I am now very selective about the pics I keep, and I make sure I purge when no one (Hubby or Mom) is looking over my shoulder. Now that I am caught up, I am considering working backwards and purging. My perspective of a good photo has evolved as more experience operating a digital camera is in play.

How do you organize your digital memories?

How many pictures are on your hard drive?

Is my 28,000 so bad? (Please tell me you have more!)

Sharing these thoughts:

Between Naps On The Porch

A Bowl Full of Lemons

Delightful Order