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	Get Your Photos Organized!

	by Christine Sutton

Have you been beating yourself up for that ever-growing pile of PHOTOS that you've been meaning to take action on? You've promised yourself that this year will be different, that this year, you're going to take CONTROL. If you are one of those rare individuals that has actually followed through on your plan and managed to organize your entire photo collection, then we salute you! Pat yourself on the back and go reward yourself for a job well done. For the rest of us, there's still hope!

A DIFFERENT METHOD

One way of attacking this task is to commit to MINI organizing sessions on a regular basis. With just 15 minutes a day, you can make steady progress on your organizing goals. However, if you know that you're not the type of person that's going to follow through on those regular mini-sessions, or if you're just anxious to see some quicker results, then an "All-Out Organizing MARATHON" may be the answer for you. If you commit a full day to organizing your photographs, then you will see visible results. Of course, there's a big difference between spending a full day organizing your photos and spending a fully day effectively organizing your photos. To ensure that you are most effective, follow these helpful tips:

PICK A DATE

Okay -- this may seem obvious, but the only way that you're really going to do this is if you make a COMMITMENT and you stick to it. Pull out your calendar, pick a day that looks good to you, and write the appointment in your calendar.

PLAN YOUR SESSION

Block out 6 to 8 hours for your organizing marathon, and more if you can manage it. If you actually have the STAMINA to organize your photos for more than 10 hours, then you should contact the Guinness Book of World Records -- they'd probably like to speak with you. Our purpose for having you block out additional time is so that you can enjoy some well-deserved relaxation and pampering after your organizing session.

FOCUS

Make arrangements in advance to remove all DISTRACTIONS on the date of your organizing marathon. If you have children, then make some arrangements for them to be cared for away from your organizing location.

GET EVERYTHING YOU NEED

Prepare ahead so that you have all of the proper SUPPLIES on hand. To be effective during your organizing session, you will need acid-free, lignin-free photo envelopes, photo boxes and journaling pens. If you want to organize your negatives at the same time, then you'll also need negative envelopes or sleeves.

FEED YOURSELF

Plan ahead for dinner with a casserole or crock pot meal. Better yet, plan to TREAT yourself to take-out. You deserve it! (Or shall we say, you will deserve it if you follow through and remain productive during your organizing marathon.)

SET UP YOUR AREA

Designate and clear a space to work comfortably throughout the day. Typically, the kitchen table is great for this. It's a good height for you, and you'll be able to SPREAD out reasonably. Avoid the temptation to work on the living room floor or cuddle up on the couch -- you’ll soon discover that your body will cramp up and you'll find yourself surrounded by a large, disheartening mess.

DECIDE ON A SYSTEM

Decide if your photos will be arranged CHRONOLOGICALLY or by some other system, such as a theme (ie. Holidays, vacations, childhood, etc.) and sort photos into photo boxes accordingly.

STAY ON TASK

As you're organizing your photographs, CONTROL yourself! Don't get lost on Memory Lane. You can reminisce later. During your marathon, you should be relentlessly focused on organizing your photos.

MAKE NOTES

Do take the time to jot down any quick MEMORIES that come to you as you're organizing. The easiest and safest way to do this is to briefly record your thoughts on acid-free photo journaling envelopes as you're sorting.

DON'T GET INSANE ABOUT IT

Even though you're working all day, you still should plan to work in small INCREMENTS. Only pull out what you can handle in 15 -30 minutes. This way, every time you finish a small pile, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment and you'll be inspired to keep going. And take frequent but mini breaks to stretch and move around.

BE SELECTIVE

As you're organizing, be sure to get rid of any photos that are dark, blurry or otherwise unattractive. Also, if you've got several photos of the same topic, then choose one or two of the best and PURGE the rest.

KEEP AT IT

Depending on the state of your photo collection, one day may or may not beENOUGH. Either way, though, you will have made great progress. Be sure to celebrate what you’ve accomplished and treat yourself for a job well done.

Christine Sutton and her business partner, Tracey DuBois have helped countless people organize, protect, and enjoy their precious photographs. As authors of "Save Your Photos and Your Sanity" and producers of "Treasure Your Memories", they take a unique and FUN approach to organizing photographs. Visit their website at www.organizedphotos.com.

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