If you are like me then perhaps you have a multitude of pictures stored on your phone. I’ve tested various ways of printing these photos. I‘ve schlepped into my local Walgreens or Walmart and had them printed. I‘ve downloaded several apps, uploaded pictures and had them mailed to my house (ie: Shutterfly). I’ve tried it all and I haven’t been very pleased with any of it. I needed something quicker and easier, otherwise the pictures just pile up!
Printing the Pictures
Last Christmas I was gifted a Canon Selphy Printer. It is a genius, little device that greatly aids my photo organization. I am able to print all of my pictures from my phone through my Canon Selphy Printer at home. It is easy to use and prints outstanding quality photographs!
I find that this method is as cost effective as ordering prints online. Plus, I have the ease of being able to print a photo anytime I want! Not to mention, I can add borders, make collages, edit the color of the picture and all sorts of other neat modifications. My favorite editing tool is the option to add the date to the photographs.
About every two months I weed through the pictures on my phone. If I took multiples of one shot then I try to pair it down to the best frame and delete the rest. This helps me from having photo overload! Next, I store my photo’s using the archival storage method below.
Storing and Labeling
After I print the photos, I carefully sort and store them in this clear photo storage cassette box. It’s a clear storage box filled with sixteen cassettes that individually hold approximately one hundred 4x6 prints.
I label each cassette according to my needs. For example, we took a plethora of photographs on our trip to Europe. I have one cassette filled with photos we took in Paris, another filled with pictures from Dublin and one filled with London’s snapshots. Other cassettes in my box are labeled by years (ex: 2015-2017).
I had to purchase a second Iris Box once we had our daughter. Since she was born I have found that, because of the shear number of pictures we take, I have to label according to months. So, there is a cassette labeled newborn, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 1st birthday, etc.
Easy Viewing
Recently, family came over to visit and I wanted to pull out some photos for them to view. By labeling my cassettes, I am quickly and easily able to find the photos I am searching for.
I do have a few scrapbooks in my collection but I always have duplicate photos backed up and stored in my Iris box. I crafted one scrapbook for the two year RV trip we took across America and another is a baby book for our daughter. She and I will enjoy scrapbooking more as she grows. They are such a fun way to tell a story with your photographs and make memories!
The final step in my photo organization routine is to backup my precious memories in case of emergency. My photographs are my most prized possession and I wouldn’t want to lose them.
After the printing is complete, I transfer the pictures and videos from my phone onto an USB stick and store the USB in a fire and waterproof safe. If anything should happen to my prints and videos, I have them backed up. I know many people use the cloud but I do not. Finally, I delete the photos and videos on my phone and begin capturing more!
Your Turn!
I encourage you to put in place a simple, effective organization method to manage your memories. If you haven’t done it in a while (or ever) then you’ll have a good bit of work ahead of you. However, it is always enjoyable sorting through old photographs and reminiscing. Afterwards, you’ll feel peaceful knowing they are safely stored away and easily accessible.
~Crissy
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