While many of us think we’ve “captured” the memory once we took the
picture, this is really only the first
step in preserving the memory. What you do with it next will determine whether
the photo becomes priceless or pointless.
You need a full photo management system that includes everything from
editing and enhancing your photos to organizing and labeling them, plus
archiving them by backing up the files for safe-keeping. Then comes the fun
part of sharing the pictures with loved ones by creating photo gifts and
keepsakes to show off your favorites.
1.
SHOOT
Take as many photos as you wish with your
mobile phone, point-and-shoot camera or DSLR to capture your favorite life
moments and milestones. Make sure you’re using a high-speed memory card and
have your camera set to take the highest-quality (resolution) photos.
2.
SORT
Transfer all JPGs from your phone or camera’s
memory card onto your computer to view them. Delete any duds or duplicates to
avoid digital clutter. Edit or enhance any photos that need improvement. Label
the folder so it makes sense to you. If you are using a photo management
software program like Picasa, you should add captions and keywords so your
images are easier to find later. Picasa’s facial recognition feature can
“learn” the faces of the people you shoot most often.
3.
STAR
Find your favorites or your VIPs (Very
Important Photos)! If you’re using Picasa, you can STAR your best photos as
another way to filter your faves. If you take a TON of photos at every event,
try to narrow down your selections by at least half. Being selective here means
you’ll enjoy them more later on.
4.
SAVE
Archive all digital photos to your computer hard
drive and make at least one back-up copy, either on a USB flash drive and/or
CD/DVD. Label everything well and handle them with care. Once you’ve done this
step, you can safely delete the photos off the camera’s memory card.
5.
STORE
All digital images should also be stored “in
the cloud” for added safety. Upload your files on a regular basis or choose a
site that offers automatic “syncing” so your JPGs are always up-to-date. For
any original prints or memorabilia you plan to keep long-term, choose archival-quality
products and keep them away from extreme temperatures, moisture, light, pets
and pests for worry-free safe-keeping.
6.
SCHEDULE
No photo organizing or archiving system is
complete without consistent updating. Schedule time in your life to upload,
edit and save your memories as you go. Make an appointment with yourself to
ensure you don’t get too far behind. If you put it off too long, you have to
face a much more overwhelming task, or worse yet, risk losing those photos
entirely.
7.
SCAN
Now that you’ve dealt with your digital
photos, look at your collection of print photographs or memorabilia you’ve been
saving from the past. Scan these priceless pieces of paper now before something
happens to them. While you can certainly scan a handful of items yourself on a
flatbed scanner, it makes more sense to let our high-speed photo-safe scanner
handle jobs of 20 or more images. In fact, we can save you up to 8 hours of
time for every 100 photos you need scanned. We can also convert your old
videotapes and home movies to digital format. These are easy and economical
ways to save your pre-digital memories!
8.
SHOWCASE
Turn your favorite photos into something
special by publishing keepsakes for yourself and gifts for loved ones. Make
prints and enlargements to put in frames. Design a canvas or metal print for
meaningful wall décor. Start with simple projects and then move up to
more-involved projects like photo books with family history, for example. We
can help provide ideas and inspiration along with a wide selection of printed
photo items.
9.
SHARE
Not only should you share them digitally
online with friends and family on Facebook, email, blogs and such, but you can
also order prints, copies of DVDs, and create custom photo gifts for other
family members. After all, what good are photos that are only hidden on your
computer’s hard drive?
10. SMILE
You did it! You went from overwhelmed to
organized! Doesn’t it feel great to have your memories safely saved and shared? Share these tips with
someone then refer them to us for hands-on help from our professional staff of
photo experts
