Our previous blog post covered different planning aspects to help you get ready to organize photographs.

You might feel revved up and ready to tackle images, but there’s a few other items to address, namely: preparing your photo work station and preparing yourself to organize photos.

Intrigued? Read on…

Preparing Your Photo Work Station

The idea behind putting together a photo work station is to create a space where you will be able to work easily and focus on the task at hand. Use the same space during your photo sessions for consistency and efficiency. Here’s some tips on how to prepare your work station:

If you are organizing photograph prints:

• Look around your home for large containers that will temporarily house your project, such as a sturdy box or plastic container. Also round-up some index cards, a pencil, marker and plastic zipper storage bags of different sizes and a timer.
• Identify a clear space where you will work each session: a large table, countertop, or even a neatly made bed will work.
• Collect and gather the photos you want to organize.

If you are organizing digital photographs:

• Make sure your computer is up-to-date with software updates for the photography storage program that you are using.
• Make sure you have enough memory on your computer.
• Collect your digital camera and necessary cables to transfer images from your camera to your computer.
• Round up a timer.

Preparing Yourself To Organize Photos

Oftentimes when we set out to organize photographs we’re focused and ready for action. Slowly though, we become more and more intrigued with the photographs we hold in our hands. We try to recall faces and places. We slow our pace and take a few moments to linger over an image here and there, remembering times past. It’s part of human nature.

However, if you are trying to organize lots of photos repeatedly pausing over one image, then another, and then another can really add up. The hours will just fly by before you know it! The trick is to be conscious of what you are doing so that you can complete the task that you set out to do (i.e. get your photos organized).

Be honest with yourself if you find you are spending more and more time on a single photo. If after some time you find yourself slowing down, take a break and start again the next day. Or, plan to reward your efforts with a few minutes after your organizing session to reminisce and take a little walk down memory lane to mark a day’s job well done.

Check back soon for the next entry in our photo organizing series!