Managing Your Digital Pictures

My friend Sabrina writes:”My challenge is with pictures. I don’t know how to manage them once I get them in the computer. I would like to create separate folders for the different topics or events of photos so they seem more in order.”

When I upload pictures to my harddrive, I have a different folder for every month of the year.  Then, I drop the pictures into the appropriate month and when the year is over, I create a folder for the year and then move all the folders (Jan.-Dec.) into the corresponding folder’s year.  This is my way of organizing things because I am able to remember when I took most pictures.  But, Sabrina’s question is a good one because I know so many people have a tough time finding their pictures.   

The first thing you need to do is figure out what would help you to find your pictures most effectively.  I still believe that the “year” folder is essential to keep pictures organized.  I wouldn’t recommend using your child’s name as a folder name unless that child is the only one in the pictures; otherwise, you may get stuck when you have more then one child in a picture.  But, an event like “Disney World” might be better.   Like I said, it’s really what works for you – can you remember when you took a picture?  Then the month folders might work.  If subjects (summer vaca.07, Maine 06, snow 05) might work better.

Good luck Sabrina!