As a lifestyle and family photographer, I know how quickly digital photos pile up. One moment you’re snapping a sweet photo of your kids on the porch—and before you know it, your phone has thousands of images, and you’re not sure where anything is.

You’re not alone. I hear this from families all the time:

"I want to make the most of these memories… but I don’t even know where to start."

If that’s you, here’s a gentle, doable guide to help you organize your digital photos—so the meaningful moments you’ve worked so hard to document don’t get lost in the scroll.

BabyInGreenStripedRomperLayingOnBlanketEatingToes

1. Name Your Files Clearly

Instead of keeping the default names like “IMG_1234,” try something like:

“2024-06-15_Eli_Birthday.jpg”

That tiny shift makes it easier to find your favorite moments later on—and helps preserve the story behind the photo.

2. Sort Your Photos into Folders by Year + Event

Create a folder for each year, and then subfolders for months or events (like “2025-04_Spring_Break” or “2025_Soren_Homeschool”). This simple structure helps you find what you’re looking for in just a few clicks.

3. Back Them Up (Seriously, Please Back Them Up)

Your photos are too precious to lose. I recommend backing up to both an external hard drive and a cloud service (like Google Photos, iCloud, or Dropbox).

Set a reminder once a month—future you will be so glad you did.

4. Use Photo Tools That Work for You

Programs like Lightroom, Google Photos, or Apple Photos offer powerful (and easy-to-use) tools for organizing, searching, and editing. These can help you stay on top of things—and make your photos even more beautiful along the way.

5. Tag and Favorite Your Best Shots

Take a few minutes to tag photos with keywords like “family,” “beach trip,” “baby's first steps.”

You can also star or favorite the ones you really love. It’s a simple way to make your best memories easy to find—and share.

6. Delete the Duplicates + Blurry Shots

It’s okay to let go of the extras. You don’t need six versions of the same pose. Keep the ones that spark joy and tell the real story. Clearing out the clutter makes your photo library feel lighter and more meaningful.

7. Print Your Favorites

There’s something magical about holding a photo in your hands.

Print the ones that matter. Create photo books. Frame the ordinary moments—the ones that make your house feel like home. It’s one of the best ways to truly enjoy your photos instead of forgetting them in the cloud.

8. Create Albums That Tell a Story

Make an album for your family vacations, or a collection of holiday traditions over the years. You could even make a "best of the year" folder. These collections become memory time capsules—beautiful ways to revisit the seasons of your life.

Final Thought: Organizing Is a Form of Loving Attention

This doesn’t have to be a huge project. Take it step by step. Little by little, you’ll create a photo library that reflects the beauty of your real life—and gives you the joy of looking back, any time you want.

You’ve already done the most important part: you’ve lived the moments worth remembering. Now it’s just about giving them a home.

Interested in working together? Let's chat!

Hello there and thank you for stopping by! I’m Katrina, the heartbeat behind Fifty Two Hundred Photo + Film, in Durham, North Carolina. I specialize in capturing meaningful and precious memories for remarkable families in North Carolina. I hope you enjoyed this story I shared today and if you are interested in learning more about The Time Capsule membership, or let’s connect. Not quite ready to connect, but you would like to follow along the journey? Follow me on Instagram and let’s be friends!

Katrina is a family photographer and family filmmaker in Durham, North Carolina. She offers lifestyle newborn photography, family photography and family videography which focuses on capturing authentic and honest moments for families. Her clients love that not only do they get digital files from their session but artwork to display in their home. She is happy to custom albums so you can revisit your favorite memories for years to come! Be sure to check out the Adobe partnership to see Katrina sharing her knowledge on capturing magical light to highlight the essence of each family.

Want an easy way to make something beautiful out of all your phone photos and videos? Learn more about the Time Capsule Membership here.