Did you know we're collectively going to take 1.6 trillion digital photos in 2023?
According to Rise Above Research this 7.5% increase over 2022 is expected to continue, driven by the popularity of smartphones.
I encourage you to start photo organizing now so you have a system in place to add new memories to your collection.
Maybe you also have boxes of memorabilia, along with boxes from your grandparents, and it all feels overwhelming.
It is still worth doing. If you don't, you run the risk of it all going in a landfill someday.
And it can be fun!
Need some more encouragement to tackle this project?
Ease of access
When photos are organized in boxes or on phones, it's easier to find specific pictures quickly. You can quickly search for the image you need, and it's right there at your fingertips.
I recently helped a client quickly organize a small portion of a lifetime of photos to display at her daughter's wedding. Unfortunately, time was short with a hard deadline. In the end there were a few she had in mind we simply could not find.
Preservation
When photos and other valuable hard copy memorabilia are organized in archival quality boxes, they are protected from dust, moisture, and other elements that could cause damage.
Similarly, when photos are organized on phones or digital devices, they can be appropriately backed up, which ensures that they won't be lost due to damage to the physical storage device. Many people back up everything but that isn't sustainable with 1.6 trillion additional photos.
And many photo sites like Shutterfly and Ponga are are discontinuing long-term storage.
Make no mistake, unlimited long-term storage will not be free or easy from now on.
Space-saving
Organizing photos in boxes or on phones is an excellent way to save space, both digital and physical. Sorting and eliminating duplicates, blurries, poor shots, and photos of unknown people can free up valuable space.
Instead of multiple photo albums or physical boxes of photos taking up space, you can keep everything in one place.
And paying for ever-increasing server space (when companies are beginning to stop storing endless amounts for free - see Shutterfly, Ponga, Google, and Amazon) cannot last. There are solutions, but you have to take the time to stop and explore them to find what works for you.
Sharing with Others
It's easier to share photos with others when they are stored meaningfully on your phone or digital device. You can quickly send them via email, text message, or social media.
Similarly, you can share physical photos with others by digitizing the very best ones. In this way, extended family members can enjoy legacy photo collections together
Sharing the joy of the photos you've found is worth all the effort.
Preserve the Memories
Organizing photos in boxes or on phones is a great way to preserve memories. By keeping everything in one place, you can easily look back at your photos and remember special moments from your life.
The memories are what makes the photos worth anything!
Photo Organizing is worth it
This may feel overwhelming but I encourage you to start. Don't delay until photos become moldy, are lost in a flood or fire, or get thrown away during a move.
That said, take it slow, do not stress, and go one item at a time. Breathe. Have some water to drink nearby.
Be prepared for this to take some time. It likely took you (or someone you love) a lifetime to gather these photos; you won’t finish sorting them in one afternoon or even one weekend.
When you're ready to tackle your tough organization project, I am here to help you learn how.
Let's RETHINK organization together.
For more information, visit the RETHINK website today.
Mandy Thomas is a professional organizer fulfilling her lifelong passion for creating order out of chaos. She finds joy in helping people tackle their most overwhelming spaces and collections to create the optimal living space and enjoy their homes.
RETHINK organization is on a mission to help you develop long-term patterns of organization that you can maintain and feel good about long after our work together is done.
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