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Organising photos
Jose Verhoeven wrote to us from Tasmania...
Q
I am at wit's end.
I have 18 yes please read "eighteen" boxes of photo's.
1 each for each of my daughter's (4)
1 each for each of my grandchildren (5)
1 for my mother's family,
1 for my father's family.
1 for my step-father's family.
1 for my husband's parents
1 each for my brothers - in - law (4)
1 for my brother.
Then 1 big one for OUR family. Photo's that can't be put into any of the daughter's albums because they belong to my husband and myself.
Help now what.
I have started to put them into albums but it seems a never-ending job.
My husband tells me to give the photo's just in the box to each person but I cann't do that. I like to put personal comments under each photo.
Photo's that are old and have come from our parents families in Holland I have put separate and will return them because I do not like to tear-up photos. If they want to do that , that is fine with me but photo's are very precious and there may not be a duplicate.
Any suggestions? My spare room looks like tornado has hit it. Thanks for any suggestions you may have.
Jose Verhoeven
A:
Jose, hello.
You have a huge volume of memories. Photos are a bug bear for many. The biggest mistake we can make with photos is not putting them into albums (or scanning etc) when they are fresh. They seem to gather in a box or drawer and breed! As you've discovered, it takes a huge amount of time and energy to create order when you have a backlog. You should feel comforted that most people have trouble managing their photos. It's also very positive that you have already divided the pictures into different categories (a box for each person).
Are you wanting to put absolutely everything in albums? Do you want to reduce the number of prints you have? I'm not clear what you want to achieve in the end.
Assuming you want to process all images into albums, my strategy would be to handle one box at a time and do not think about starting another until you've sorted the first one. It is a huge job, but you really just need to take one step at a time. Focus is important. Spreading yourself too thin - trying to deal with different boxes - may only serve to discourage you. Possibly have a think about how long you will need to spend sorting and draw up a list of goals based on how long you think the entire project will take. It might be realistic to consider a box per month (I have no idea how large your boxes are!) with a completion date of a year away. Certainly don't rush the process or feel you have to have it completed yesterday, that will only cause you stress. Here's some great tips:
PROCESS
• Sort the images into a photo box first - where the images are stored vertically and separated by index cards. The index cards hold information about the images. I prefer to store images these way as they take less maintenance that photo albums. This will also allow you make notes as you remember them - not under pressue!
• Start with the "easiest" box - a box that you may get through faster so that you will feel inspired to continue. This could be the photos with a recent history: those that are fresh in your mind where you can easily remember places dates and names. I personally like to complete smaller tasks first so I can focus on the bigger things without feeling distracted. It also means you're able to cross more off the "to do" list faster!
• Be mindful of expectations. Do you really want every single photo, of all those thousands of images you possess to make it's way into an album with a caption? If you do, be prepared to have patience, prepare the project carefully and take your time to make it happen. There is no fast track if that's the outcome you desire. The organising fairies won't come and do it for you!
EDIT
• Consider the stories you want to tell with these pictures. Which are the pivotal moments? What images represent milestones? Which photos best represent that person's life? These things should be considered when selecting images.
• Consider boundaries - perhaps fifty photos for each person into an album rather than EVERYTHING. Editors - whether photographic, in text, sound or artist's curators never use all the 'raw' footage or pieces produced. They have a size or length of finished piece or exhibit. You don't have to album everything: make your own rules!
• Consider dealing with only the ABSOLUTE favourites... pictures that you would be heartbroken about if they were lost. Discard anything that is poor quality, badly damaged or duplicated.
USE TECHNOLOGY
• If you have access to a scanner, consider compiling a family CD ROM - the finest images from all family members. You will always have a master that you can distribute as you need.
MAINTENANCE
• Finally, make sure you deal with any current photos STRAIGHT AWAY - that is, when they're developed, whack them into albums while your memories are fresh.
Good luck!
Lissanne
Organiser Extraordinaire
Jose replied...
Thanks for your great suggestions. You have given me renewed energy and oomphhh!
I had already finished my youngest daughter's photo album (she is 30 and has no children. I will now do my 2 youngest granchildren (2 and 5) which will be quite easy as they live in Perth WA and I don't have too many photo's of them and do theirs and their mother's. That sort of sorts out 2 of my 4 girls. I will then do my other 3 grandchildren and their mothers and then I can start on the other's. I find it a little difficult to keep up the momentum and the energy.
Thanks again for all your suggestions and I think I will find the winter going quite fast while I keep myself busy getting myself organised in the photo and albums department at least.
I would like to hear from others who can't go out and join-in with friends to do this in a group. It is a great way to renew the energy and go on trying to finish those impossible tasks we do for our children and the future. Why didn't our parents ever think of that, instead of just putting them in a box and hope we remember who all those "old" people are?
You are a great inspiration, please, stay in touch.
Jose.
