Organizing Your Digital Photos
By Tracy EHere's what I do:
I upload photos using a file name that makes sense to me and includes the date. If the photos are all from one day then I use that specific date. However, most often I upload photos taken over a period of time (usually monthly) so I use the month and year as the date.
example: T's 6th bday, Kcountry camping Aug 08
I create a new folder for each month of the year (i.e. Aug 08). Then I drop the group I just uploaded into the corresponding folder. I usually end up with 2 or 3 groups per month depending on how many times I uploaded that month.
So when I go to find photos to print, I just go to the month I want and open a group under that month.
That's it! If you have any better ways of organizing your photos on your computer, please let me know. I'm always willing to learn a better method. So far, this works well for me. I hope you find it helpful.
Cheers!
Tracy
Getting Your Photos in Order Make Scrapbooking Easier
By Tammy MFor any scrapbooker, there is nothing more in need of organization than photos. Tools, paper, and embellishments are relatively easy to manage, mainly because they don’t multiply. Very often, there is only one of this punch or one of that paper-trimmer, but a scrapper’s stash of photos can grow with each passing day, and before you know it you’ve got thousands of pictures on hand.
Whether your photos are from a conventional camera, or a digital one, there is no doubt that your scrapbooking will get faster and easier if your photos are organized. Sure it takes time to accomplish such an overwhelming task! We’ve all been there…piles of photos in boxes, folders of JPEG files on the hard drive, and every scrapbooker knows just how frustrating it can be to try and find that certain set of photos for that certain project, or that certain album.
It’s downright aggravating. But, if you want to get out from underneath your pile of photos, then maybe some of the following tips can be of help:
- Give yourself a reasonable time frame. If your goal is ultimately to organize all of your photos then give yourself plenty of time. You cannot possibly complete such a task in a day, or even a week, so don’t set yourself up for failure right from the beginning. Set a goal of say three months, or even six months, so that you can enjoy, rather than resent, the liberating process of organizing.
- Determine your organizing system. This part takes thinking. You need to figure out what system works for you when it comes to organizing your photos. The question you need to ask yourself is, “How will I be able to most easily find a photo in the future for any particular project?” So, if your mind works by dates, organize your photos by years, or even months. If, on the other hand, you are best at recollecting events, or places, then by all means create categories for your photos based those kinds of details.
- Stay focused. One of the biggest obstacles to getting organized, especially when it comes to photos, is sentiment. This is not your time to take a meandering trip down memory lane. Instead you have a job to do, and that job is to get your photos into their perfect spot. Try to detach yourself from the subject of your photos except only to identify the time, people, and place. By staying on task you’ll definitely get through a lot more photos in less time. Save the sentiment for when you are actually scrapbooking.
- Take baby steps. Even if you have a long-range goal for six months, try not to take on huge amounts of photos at a time. The best thing is to set aside a little bit of time each day to accomplish tiny sub-goals. Also, you’ll be more productive if you don’t jump back and forth between major projects. For example, if you have conventional photos, and you also have digital photos that are stored on your computer, completely organize one group before the other. Or if you’ve got boxes of current photos, and also boxes of heritage photos, work on one category at a time. Heritage photos might require a lot of attention either for restoration or for identification, so you may want to tackle that category after you’ve had some productive wins with your more current pictures.
- Label clearly and carefully. Regardless of whether you are creating folders in the real world or the virtual world, it’s important to be specific when you create names for your labels. Use trigger words that work for you so that when you need to find a specific photo, or set of photos, you can quickly get to exactly the right place where the photos are stored.
There’s no question that organizing your photos takes time and
energy, but there’s also no question that you’ll be so happy with
the results. When your photos are easy to find, and
free of damage, your pages come together with ease, and in less
time. Who said scrapbooking had to be hard?
Warmly,
Tammy Morales
Your Scrapbook Coach
Publisher, ScrapbookersInnerCircle.com
When It Comes To Photos, It Pays to Plan
By Tammy MScrapbookers usually scrap photos that reflect events, or time periods. Events can include specific holidays, vacations, graduations, marriages, and so forth. On the other hand, time periods can be in relation to school years, time spent in a certain home or city, conventional years (i.e. 1998, 1999, etc…), or long-term projects or experiences (i.e. getting through an illness or participating in a sports season).
Whatever mode of categorizing you use, if you plan your photos around your categories, then you’ll be sure to have plenty of scrap-worthy pictures for all your albums and projects. Here are a few ideas to help you think in terms of categories and picture planning:
- Keep a calendar for the year. Highlight special events, family get-togethers, up-coming trips, visits from friends, outings, or life transitions. As each occasion approaches, make a list of the photos that you want to be sure to take. For example, if your child is getting a new pet, you’ll want to take photos of buying the cage, or collar, or food before the pet is brought home. Take photos of the “search” for just the right puppy, bunny, or kitten. Take photos of Dad trying to say “No” to any more critters in the house. In other words, take photos of every step, every feeling, and every person involved so that your photos, together, tell the story.
- Make sure you always have film in your conventional camera and a charged battery on your digital. There’s nothing worse than “missing the moment.” And if you are planning an album for a time period…don’t get lazy and think that the interim photos don’t matter. They do matter! As with any story, the middle is just as important as the beginning and the end…sometimes more so.
- Take LOTS of pictures. Use different settings, and position your camera side-ways and up-ways. If the event is a special one then it’s likely you’ll be using the photos for an album, and also for some extra little projects that can be shared with all who were “there.” The more photos you have, the more options you have to manipulate the photos, size-wise and subject-wise, into various scrapbooking projects.
Hands down, experienced scrappers will tell you that it’s far better to have too many photos than not enough. So make note of all those important occasions, plan ahead, and get ready to ‘point-n-shoot.” You’ll be so glad you did.
