Your Friendly Photo Organizing Question Checklist

I know organizing your photos—whether they’re digital or those prints—can feel like a big, overwhelming task. But here’s the thing: the best way to make progress is to just jump in and start! As you dig into your photo collection, questions will pop up, and that’s a good sign—it means you’re making headway and getting closer to beautifully organized memories.

I’ve put together this checklist to give you some ideas of what you might want to ask as you are organizing photos. They’re split into technical, structural, and process categories but you might have something that is outside of the box and that is okay too! (Like, the emotional ones where you can't bring yourself to toss or delete a photo . . . a problem for another checklist!)

Technical Question Examples

Is my computer up for the job?
A computer less than 3 years old with at least 16GB of RAM and plenty of storage should do the trick. You want to have at least 30% of your computer space open. That means if you have 500GB hard drive, you'd want to have least 150GB of room.
How do I digitize those old VHS tapes?
Digitizing at home can be a hassle with finicky software or shaky video quality. I’d suggest sending them to a pro service like FOREVER for top-notch results. Start by rounding up your tapes to see what you’ve got!
What’s the deal with iCloud, OneDrive, and Google Drive?
It can be confusing! iCloud is Apple’s cloud, OneDrive is Microsoft’s, and Google Drive is Google’s. Peek into your cloud accounts to see where your photos are landing and if there’s any mix-ups or cross-overs. You’ll feel so much clearer once you sort this out!

Structural Question Examples

How should I name my photo folders?
Try a simple format like YYYY-MM-DD-Description (like 2024-07-15 Summer Picnic) or just YYYY-Photos for bigger batches. Create a couple of folders to test it out. When you put the date format like this first, your folders will organize easily.
How many photos go in a folder or album?
Aim for 25–250 photos per folder to keep things easy to browse. Start sorting a small group of photos to find a size that feels right for you. It's a guideline to help you. For example, you don't want to end up with 50 folders that have 2-3 photos in each. And, you don't want one folder to have 3245 photos in it either.
What should my photo collection look like?
A layered setup like Decades > Years > Months & Events makes finding photos a breeze. Try grouping one year’s photos to get a feel for this structure—it’s like building a memory roadmap!
Should I organize by person?
I’d hold off on sorting by person at first—it can get tricky. Instead, try organizing by date or event. Pick a small batch of photos and sort them chronologically to see how it flows.

Process Question Examples

Why’s my duplicate finder not working?
A jumbled folder structure or wrong steps might be the culprit. Try tidying up one folder and running the tool again—you’ll get the hang of it! (Or, compare two simple folders at one time instead of all folders at once.)
Can AI help organize my photos?
Right now, AI isn’t the best helper for photo organizing, especially with tons of duplicates. It’s more about rolling up your sleeves. Start with a small set of photos and tackle duplicates with a duplicate finding program—you'll love deduplicating!
How do I keep track of my progress and questions?
Grab a notebook or clipboard to jot down what you’re doing and any questions that pop up. Start this habit in your first organizing session—it’s like having a trusty sidekick!

Heartfelt Tips to Help You Know What to Ask

Jump in to spark those questions! Start with something small, like sorting one month’s photos or gathering your prints. Those questions that come up are proof you’re making progress.
Jot down questions as they come. Keep a dedicated CLIPBOARD and note page for questions so you don’t lose them. Keep track of your progress. It’s a game-changer, especially when you’re deep in the organizing zone and have to step away for a period of time!
Questions mean you’re moving forward. Every question you ask shows you’re working hard on your memories. Embrace them—they’re signs of growth!
Reach out when you’re stuck. Connect with online communities, forums, or pros like me to get answers. Try searching for one answer to a question you hit—it’ll keep you motivated!

Why Start Now? You’ve Got This!

Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment to organize your photos—just start with a small step. Maybe sort a folder or gather a few prints. As you get your hands on your project, questions will naturally come up, and those questions are like little guideposts showing you’re on the right path. I’m rooting for you, and I promise, the more you dive in, the easier it gets!

Pick one tiny task today—maybe sort a folder, label a few photos, or check your computer’s storage. Spend just 30 minutes on it, and watch how those questions start bubbling up. They’ll guide you to the next step, and I’m here cheering you on as you bring your memories to life!