Preserve your Favorite Photos With Organization and Planning

Photos can be a great way to save memories and relive special moments. However, without a plan to organize them they can become a chaotic jumble. The first item to have when you begin your photo organization project is a waste basket. It may seem silly but, of all the pictures the average person develops only seven out of twenty four are worth keeping. Keep that statistic mind when you begin sorting and you'll probably find many photos that simply are not worth saving. Another thing you'll need during your organization are manila envelopes. Even though you may not remember exactly, do your best to sort the photos by year. During the sorting put each group in the envelope and clearly mark the year on it. Place these envelopes in a strong cardboard box. Try to store at least 10 years worth of photos in a single container, but don’t use too big a box so it is cumbersome. Display several photos from a selected year in a collages or shadow box. Give the shadow box a unique personality by including mementos and keepsakes. Special photos can individually be enlarged and framed to display around your home. Be certain to purchase photo albums that are made with acid-free paper. The acid used in processing everyday paper can damage photographs over time. Another clever and creative way to display your photos is scrapbooking. Craft stores ,in response to the growing trend, have an abundance of scrapbook supplies. Stencils, decorative scissors, background papers, rubber stamps and permanent markers are just some of the things you will find. You can also make use of items around your house like ribbons, magazine clippings, and fabrics. It is so important that I’ll say it again, take care to ensure that the paper you use is acid-free or displayed separately from your favorite photos. Last but not least, in case something should happen to your photos, make sure you have a backup plan to replace them. Store the negatives of your most important and cherished photographs in a safe place. Protect them against theft or destruction from fires or floods and other elements beyond your control.