How to Organize Your Pictures

Are you overun with pictures? Do you have them in boxes and drawers? Under beds and in closets? Use this step by step plan to organize your pictures once and for all!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. GATHER
   
   Gather all of your pictures in one spot. Choose a place like an out of the way table. This will become your work surface as you complete this project.

2. CHOOSE A METHOD
   
   Choose a method of organization. Some common examples are chronologically, by theme (vacations, holidays, etc.) or by family member.
   
   No one method is superior to another. Choose the method that feels the most right to you.

3. SORT
   
   Begin sorting through your pictures and grouping them by the method you chose in step 2. Sort them into shoe boxes labeled with the year, theme, or person.

4. PURGE
   
   As you organize your pictures, get rid of duplicates and bad photos. The goal is to have a limited number of your best photos. This will bring you the most enjoyment.

5. LABEL
   
   As you sort you may want to make notes on the backs of pictures with details included in the photo (dates, people, etc.). There are photo labeling pencils made exactly for this purpose.

6. STORE
   
   Choose a final storage method for your pictures and transfer them to that system. You can choose from albums or photo storage boxes. Just make sure that what you choose is made especially for photos and is safe for long-term storage.

Resources

• How to Organize Digital Photos

[Limowreck]

on 8/5/2008 My photos are everywhere! This is a great article for me. I have had problems ever since I bought my new camera! Thanks for this helpful information! *****

[klnygaard]

on 8/5/2008 I need to do this. Thanks for info

[vallain]

on 8/4/2008 I find it helpful to not discard the duplicates. They are useful in scrapbooking. Good tips here.

[Melanierose]

on 8/4/2008 I was just doing the organize thing lol 5*

[01KendraWrites]

on 8/4/2008 Sometimes I need to be reminded to throw away doubles :)