5 actions for achieving a healthy photo mindset
I wish I could record the comments that people make to me when we talk photos. Friends who know me will flat-out tell me their photo mess is likely the worst I’ve ever seen. When people are just learning that I’m a professional photo organizer, they are a little less blunt, but often tell me how much they or their mother need me.
In the age of smartphones and social media, taking photos has become an integral part of our daily lives. From capturing special moments to sharing glimpses of our world with others, photos can be a powerful and enriching experience. However, it’s not good for anyone if these photos or the ones that you’ve inherited or accumulated in boxes have become a source of stress and guilt.
The 3 most common root causes of photo stress are:
Being overwhelmed with too many photos
Fear of losing photos
Being paralyzed by the mess and not knowing where or how to start
Does this sound familiar?
Here are some actions you can take to relieve the guilt and stress, and cultivate a healthy mindset when it comes to your photos.
1. Be mindful and intentional of the photos you take. Give yourself a break. Instead of rushing to capture every scene, take a deep breath, look at your surroundings, and focus on the things that truly speak to you so instead of trying to capture every moment, you capture the most meaningful ones.
Action: Take fewer photos. Give yourself permission to be present in the moment.
2. Curate your collection so it includes fewer photos. Quality over quantity. It only takes a few images to help your brain remember a moment. Shift your focus so that in the end, it only includes your very favorite photos that you want to share with future generations.
Action: Schedule 15 minutes on your calendar once a week to delete the ones that are repetitive, less meaningful, or simply bad photos. If you have lots of duplicates, consolidate everything into one location and run deduplicating software to fast-track the process of removing them.
3. Organize your photos so you can find them and back them up. I understand that this is easier said than done, but this is by far the biggest stressor I hear about. Making it a priority now will reduce your stress later.
So many people I talk to are afraid of losing their photos due to technology fails. In addition, they spend hours trying to find photos for events like a graduation or when a loved one has passed away. Getting them into one place and putting some order to them will not only save you time, but relieve the anxiety around knowing that your photos are safe.
Action: Consolidate everything into one location and back it up in 3 different places (best practice)… your computer, an external hard drive, and a cloud service. Even if you’re backing up the mess!
Paralyzed by the mess? Start by taking inventory of your collection. Put all of your printed photos, albums, and boxes of loose photos in one room. Make a list of where all of your digital photos can be found (e.g. computers, phone, flashdrives, external hard drives, etc.). Need help? Get a free Getting Started Guide with a Photo Inventory form HERE.
4. Do a small project to get inspired. It only takes one project to get inspired. Photos bring the most joy when they are visible and shared.
Action: Make a quick digital album for a friend or of a trip you took this year using a template on an online DIY site like Mpix or Mixbook. Create a mini-slideshow of an event or for someone you love. Create a gallery wall in your home with 8-10 photos that make you smile. Frame just ONE favorite photo. Remember, progress over perfection. It doesn’t have to be perfect to touch a heart.
5. Ask for help. Every single client I’ve worked with tells me that they are overwhelmed with their photos. Sometimes the best way to overcome that feeling is to ask for help.
We are living in a world where we are inundated with marketing messages that make you believe that organizing your photos is as easy as throwing your photos in the cloud, applying a little AI, and all will be well. While these types of tools can be helpful, unfortunately, there is no magic photo wand and the cloud is only as safe as your best backup. Be assured that you’re not alone and seeking out help will get the project done quicker, easier, with less stress, and get you over the hump of that feeling of overwhelm.
Action: Take a class (CYP Courses), seek out online resources, or hire someone to help you. We can offer support or find a professional photo organizer in your area here: The Photo Managers
Don’t miss out on the joy that your photos can bring by cultivating a healthy photo mindset. If you are feeling guilty or stressed about your photos, make a conscious effort to step back, evaluate the root cause, and take action. We’re here to help.
Overwhelmed with your photo mess? Getting started organizing your photos can be the hardest part! Grab our FREE GETTING STARTED GUIDE that includes tips for how to create a plan, teaches you how to take inventory of your collection, and provides the form to do it.
Holly Corbid is the Founder/Owner of Capture Your Photos, where we help you to organize, preserve, and share your lifetime of memories. Helping you touch hearts with your photos is our passion. We specialize in digital photo organization and work remotely with clients all over the country.
Holly is also the author of a series of online photo organizing courses. Learn more on our COURSES page.
Find us at www.captureyourphotos.com or contact us here.