5 Tips for Organizing Your Pictures
5 Tips for Organizing Your Pictures
Those old photos you have sitting around can get out of hand very easily. Perhaps you have them scattered hither and yon or maybe you have them thrown into a storage box. It’s time to get them organized and into some sort of order so you can revisit those memories and preserve them. Check out these tips to help you get started.
Write Information on Back of Photos
One of the most heartbreaking things about looking over old photos is when you can’t identify the people or event in the picture. Oh if only our ancestors would have written on every old photograph! Take care of that issue for future generations (and for yourself) so you will always know who is in a picture, the year it was taken, and what was going on. Sort through your pictures and take the time to write identifying information on the back of each one before you get started organizing them.
Separate Photos Into Categories
When you are ready to start putting your pictures in order, start by separating them into categories. Use categories such as family portraits, family snapshots, holidays, vacations, birthdays, baby pictures, special events, and any other categories that you may come up with.
Separate Photos by Size
Small photos can easily get misplaced in amongst larger photos. After you have categorized your pictures, start separating them by size. Tackle one category at a time. Larger 8x10s, all the way down to small, wallet-size photos should be separated and put into piles or stacks.
Place Photos into Zippered Bags and Manila Envelopes While Sorting
Use plastic zippered bags and large, manila envelopes to contain photos while you are sorting. Keep in mind that it will take some time to get all of your pictures organized. You may spend an hour or two here or there working on sorting and organizing. You will need a system to keep your sorted photos in order so you don’t have to do the same organizing over and over. Use a large, manila envelope to hold each category’s photos. Use zippered bags to hold photos that have been sorted according to size. Those zippered bags can go inside the manila envelope for that specific category.
Invest in Photo Albums
Placing your photos into archival albums will protect them from destruction and degradation while preserving them for you and your family to enjoy. Invest in several albums that can hold all of your loose pictures. Designate an album (or more) for each category of photos you have sorted then set to work getting the photos put into place in the albums. Once you are finished, store your albums in a cool, dry place away from moisture or direct sunlight.
Keeping your photos in an organized order and preserved in a way that you can enjoy them for years to come is a wise investment of your time and money. You will be able to reminisce with friends and family members as you look over those old photos and appreciate all the memories and life they represent.
If you are in need of better organization skills in general, then we have some things here that will be sure yo help you out! Check out our guide to Getting Organized! If you find that you are still having organization problems, then you might want to try this book on organizing inside and out!
