23 August, 2013

Photo Documentation and Organization

It all started innocently enough, doesn't every great adventure? For years I've known that I had to something about the burgeoning box of photos that was hiding out in the dark recesses of an armoire in the guest room. But, where, and when, to start? I kept putting it off, adopting the "out of sight", (almost) "out of mind" philosophy. Every once in a while I would be challenged to find an old photo and the wrestling match with my conscience would begin all over again. And then it happened... I entered The Container Store (this is where it all started so "innocently"), that mecca of  happy home organization (which, for me, is like returning to the mother ship). I stumbled upon a display of photo storage boxes, each with the ability to hold 1,200 photos, and they were on sale. What more could I ask for? The time had, at long last, arrived!

The dining room has become work-station central, folding tables have been erected temporarily and the contents of boxes are being exposed. This is going to take a long time, but that's okay; this stash didn't amass itself overnight. Every time I pass by the room I work a little bit, that's what it's going to take. At first, I started with laser-beam focus but I can't continue with that intensisty; it's too hard, it makes my brain hurt.
A highly visible, front and center, work location is exactly where this project needs to happen. No more sweeping this task under the rug; a light is shining brightly on the job at hand and those brand new, slick, photo boxes are ready and waiting! I bought two, I believe I need to get another one... while they're still on sale.
One can never be too prepared!
Life is Good!

13 comments:

Paula, the quilter said...

I did that years ago during my scrapbook phase. Right now I am working on getting all those old 110 negatives, 35mm negatives and 35 mm slides into digital format. Why I took so many bad photos (and developed them) of common flowers I will never know.

straythreads said...

I still have to scrap book photos for the middle child. I gave up on chronological order and sorted by event or holiday/season all the fall/ halloween pics are together, Christmas, Easter, Birthdays etc then it was easier to guess their age. Good luck!!

Janet O. said...

I did this with my photos years ago when I was organizing to work on scrapbooks. Now that the photos are organized, I stalled on the scrapbooks. I think I got each of my children up to age eight--the youngest is now 24. : )
I applaud your leap into action!

Nane said...

I don't print near as many now in the digital world but just told Mike last night if we didn't start a scrapbook soon for Wade I was going to forget a lot. I have never been to a container store, but sounds like a cool place.

Quiltdivajulie said...

"returning to the mother ship"

I LOVE IT !! !!!!!

Enjoy the process knowing the journey is OH, SO worthwhile!

Unknown said...

Well, at least you know you will HAVE to be finished by Thanksgiving...lol! A daunting task, but you will be SO pleased with yourself when you finish! Soldier on!

cityquilter grace said...

not for the faint of heart to be sure...and i too love container store...

Teresa said...

I am so impressed....mine are stuffed in boxes in a huge bureau my father made.

I love your dining table and rug.

Ancestor Collector said...

I had to laugh at this post. My dining room table looked exactly like yours a few years ago. I hadn't discovered the nifty containers though. I sorted through all our photos, discarded the obvious "bad ones", and put the rest into albums. Now they come out rarely. Everything recent is on my computer, phone, or iPad and in "the cloud" so they'll never be lost. Hard to believe how far photography has come. I LOVE the container store too....I could wander their aisles for hours! :-)

Marie said...

Great idea for getting organized. My pictures are all in big tubs.Really need to find a container Store. Hugs, Marie

AnnieO said...

A big project broken into bits--great idea! I've never visited a Container Store but sure like those storage boxes. Hope you are enjoying the trip down Memory Lane as you sort !

jude's page said...

And this is a job that really needs to be done in this house, so better find a container store and also need to print photos from the store on the computer, where no one else sees them!

LizA. said...

When you're done there would you come work on mine?