Organizing your photos is the key!

You took these photos because you wanted to capture a moment in time. Something looked awesome, felt wonderful or was a one in a lifetime moment. Maybe you knew this moment will never duplicate itself (your baby's milestone) even though, if you really think about it, no moment repeat itself exactly. You might celebrate Thanksgiving with the same group of people at the same place and date, with the exact same traditions every year but so many components did, are, and will keep changing. So the Zen people were right - it's definitely not the same river and we should live in the 'now'. That's precisely what you'd like to capture in your photos - the NOW,encapsulated, to view later and remember, to cherish... sounds like catch 22 doesn't it?

Photos are treasures, and as such they should be kept well.


Here are some ideas to get organized, cherishing treasured moments:

Organize your photos by name -example: I have a file for each one of my kids.

Organize your photos by date - birthdays, school years, months, chronologically etc.

Themed folders, with dated photos in them: holidays, events, outdoors, school, etc. That way, you can retrieve photos for later use at presentation DVD for Bar/Bat mitzvah, a gift mini album for Thanksgiving, grandma’s birthday, etc.

Faces - believe it or not, there are face recognition photo management software out there. sample some at Picasa, iPhone.

Places - if you tend to travel a lot, this is the way to go. Create a folder for each place you've visited.
Divide your photos into subjects - work, home, family, friends and have sub categories files in them.

If you are organizing printed photos make sure all products involved are archival safe. Products with lignin and acid in them (sticky notes, sandwich bags) could damage your photos.

More about Scrapbook albums

• Digital Scrapbooks - traditional scrapbook artists create their layouts with scissors, papers, adhesive and embelishments. The digi scrapbook artists create their layouts on their computer using software like Photoshop elements or other graphic softwear. They then print their work and put it in a traditional album or a photo book. Learn more about it here.
• Hybrid Scrapbook - uses both digital scrapbook methods and the traditional ones, so a layout might be layered and printed, than added to with paper flowers or other embelishmants that create that tactile, raised, WOW effect. See samples here.
• Photo books - a service available online. You load your photos (sometimes need to download their program), choose a theme, drag the photo onto the selected background and follow the instructions on the screen. Far less creative than scrapbook, much sliker result, wait for your photobook to ship to you in it's hardbound cover you pre-selected. Serviceproviders include, but are not limited to: Shutterfly, Picasa, Picaboo and more.

Now, why would you choose to place your photos in an album at all?

• A designed photo album adds to the presentation of the photos and creates expectation. The photo (baby? Lovers? Home?) Or title (holiday? Someone’s name?) In the cover’s window, the fabric used for the cover (velvet? Silk? brilliant colors?), ribbons and crystals create a certain feeling and an urge to look at your photos.
  
• A designed scrapbook album is presentable and is quick and easy to access. A small group can enjoy your photos without worrying about poor connection, too small of a screen, slow sites or limited number of photos. You can always add pages to your Scrapbook album and it is always accessible, on your shelf.
  
• Gathering around a gorgeuse scrapbook album on the sofa is much easier than standing around a screen at a desk. There’s a sense of leisurely sharing memories to it.


• Your photos are well protected from stains and fading with Our archival photo albums . Your scrapbook album will have sheet protectors so your children and guests can enjoy it without staining it. Your photo albums will be your legacy for generations to come!


• Using our designed scrapbook albums to display your photos, make them more personalized as they contain a uniquely designed look.


• If your best photos are in a film container or your camera's memory card, they are not viewed or enjoyed. Organize your photos in a presentable way to keep on a bookshelf, coffee table or have in your purse as a mini album brag book.

Naxt week I'l write about the necesities of a good photo album.

Have a great weekend!