Did you know that September is Save Your Photos Month? Join us for a month-long quest to protect and preserve your family’s lifetime of photos, film, and memorabilia. #SaveYourPhotosMonth

Week 2: Making a Photo Plan

You’ve found your photos, but now what? You need a plan. This week, we’ll explore creating a photo legacy by understanding what’s most important to you. What are your photo goals and what would success look like? Then strategize a plan to digitize and back up your photos.

Even if you’re not ready to do the actual organizing, thinking through these decisions about your photo legacy means you’ll be prepared whenever the time is right to start.

Tip #8: How would you feel if you could easily find and share the photos you care most about? Write down five reasons these photos are important to you.

Tip #9: If you could only save 100 photos, which ones would you choose? What’s special about these 100 photos?

Tip #10: Write a “will” for your family photo collection. Specify what you’d want to be included in your family photo legacy and what should happen to it after you are gone.

Tip #11: The best backup for your printed photos is to scan them. Research doing it yourself or sending them to a trusted scanning service.

Tip #12: After you edit and digitize photos, you’ll need to store the original prints and the digital files. Do you have enough space on your computer and a shelf in the main part of your house for prints?

Tip #13: Have you seen all the free mini-course options offered as part of Save Your Photos Month? Make a list of the ones that interest you the most and schedule time to watch them.

Tip #14: If you have more than you can handle, set up a call with a professional photo manager to review your plan and determine if you need additional support or resources.

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© The Photo Managers

Did you know that September is Save Your Photos Month? Join us for a month-long quest to protect and preserve your family’s lifetime of photos, film, and memorabilia. #SaveYourPhotosMonth

Week 1: My Photos are Everywhere

Does this sound familiar? “I have photos on a bunch of old CDs, thumb drives, external hard drives, in albums and then there is my Dropbox, Google Photos, and maybe I’ve backed up to iCloud…help, I am overwhelmed!” Before you can start to organize your photos, you have to get them ALL into one place. During week one we will focus on gathering your photos.

Even if you aren’t ready to physically gather them, making a list is a useful first step, and you’ll be more prepared when the time is right to embark on the organizing.

Tip #1: Let’s start with a list of all the places you are storing your printed photos and slides. Include photo albums, framed photos, photos in drawers or boxes or closets, or even storage units. A written list of locations will serve as a checklist when you gather them.

Tip #2: Make a list of all the places you have digital photos. Include old phones, computers, memory cards, and CDs/DVDs. Add usernames and passwords to photo websites where you’ve uploaded pictures.

Tip #3: Get the family involved in tracking down your photos. Ask relatives where their photos are and make a plan to include them in your photo organizing project.

Tip #4: Home movies should be part of what you’re saving! Make a list of the types you have (Super 8, VHS tapes, camcorder tapes, etc.) so you can make a plan for converting them to digital.

Tip #5: Create a family timeline of important events like birthdays, graduations, weddings, moves, retirements. This will help you determine the dates of photos.

Tip #6: How many photos do you have: 10,000 or 100,000? Knowing the number helps you plan the scope of the project. A shoebox = 600 – 800 photos; 1 GB = about 560 JPGS; the average photo album = 200 photos.

Tip #7: Are you finding lots of duplicates as you go through your photos? Toss or delete doubles, blurry shots, and most scenery-only photos. Edit your collection down to a manageable size! You may end up getting rid of 50% or more.

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© The Photo Managers

Join us for Save Your Photos Month, starting tomorrow!

Save Your Photos Month is an online educational event from The Photo Managers, with 40+ mini-courses all about saving your photos and family stories, plus weekly live Q&As with experts and the chance to win prizes from sponsors. Register for free at www.SaveYourPhotos.org.

Thanks for joining us for Save Your Photos Month 2020! You can access The Photo Managers’ FREE online summit, with over 40 classes taught by the pros, until November 1, 2020, at https://buff.ly/3hoCklh.

Did you know that September is Save Your Photos Month? Join us for a month-long quest to protect and preserve your family’s lifetime of photos, film, and memorabilia. #SaveYourPhotos2020

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Day 27: Decorate with Memories

Surrounding ourselves with favorite pictures creates a happy, loving environment for the whole family. These memories provide a positive reflection of our lives, especially during difficult times. #SaveYourPhotos2020

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Day 28: Ways to Share

Photo books are a great way to share your photos and tell stories. Use one of the many online platforms available to design and print them. Combine photos, videos, oral narratives, and music to create meaningful video slideshows; there are apps for that, too! #SaveYourPhotos2020

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Day 29: Create Photo Gifts

Once your photos are organized, it’s easy to create photo gifts to celebrate and share memories with your loved ones. Framed images, albums, mugs, photo puzzles, calendars, and more are a great way to spread the love for any occasion. #SaveYourPhotos2020

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Day 30: Your Family Archive

Private online family websites and cloud storage companies let you upload, share, and archive family photos and memorabilia. Easily collaborate with family members, collect family history, and create timelines. When choosing a provider, take advantage of free trials and run a test with a small group of photos before you commit. #SaveYourPhotos2020

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© The Photo Managers