Photo Organizing: A New Niche Has Been Born

A Trillion & Counting

The world takes well over a trillion digital photos per year. Process that fact for a minute.

What if I told you that this number is actually growing rapidly, and yet more and more photos are never looked at more than once? Surprising, isn’t it? It’s actually true. Our lives have become so busy that we rarely take the time to look at our photos anymore. On top of that, the digital revolution has caused our photo collections to grow from thousands of photos to tens of thousands of photos in just a few years.

Keeping your photos organized is no longer a simple task. Between digital cameras, smartphones, and all the other devices you love and enjoy, keeping your memories sorted and accessible can be really tricky. The modern shutterbug needs to navigate an elaborate labyrinth of operating systems, different cloud services, and syncing preferences that, in an already busy life, can get overwhelming very quickly.

How do you scan your photos at a good resolution? How do you sync your photos to the cloud? Do you organize the photos by date? How do you create a photo book? Should I create more than one backup? And when do I have time to learn, much less do, all of this?

I have received all of the above questions this past year from potential clients. Because there are so many options out there, it makes sense people don’t know what to do.

Nowadays a required skill is digital file management. It takes good computer knowledge and great organizing & time management skills to get the job done right.

It’s Not Just the Digital! It’s Your Analog Memories Too

At this very minute, an astounding number of dusty old boxes are sitting in homes all across America. They are filled with memories like old Super8 films, VHS-tapes, and Polaroid prints from the 1980s. Even though it wasn’t long ago, those memories are all forgotten. The equipment you spent a pretty penny on is outdated, or broken, making it impossible to enjoy those memories. Trying to find spare parts just isn’t feasible. The best way to preserve this big box of family history is to digitize the contents, but getting started on such a massive project can seem daunting.

What Are You To Do?

If there only were someone out there who could help you take on the task of sorting, digitizing, organizing, and displaying all those memories. Someone who is knowledgeable about different formats, and who knows how important your memories are to your family. Someone who knows how to work efficiently; a person who can label and utilize current technology.

You’re in luck because that person exists. That person is a Personal Photo Organizer.

What Exactly Does a Photo Organizer Do?

You’ve probably heard of Professional Organizers. They are the superheroes that come into your home to help you de-clutter and simplify. They work their magic on your closet, your garage, or your pantry to help you get back on track, so you can live life with less stress and time to spare.

Photo organizers help you de-clutter and simplify in the same way, except they work with you on your photos, and all that digital clutter that stands in the way of you actually enjoying your memories. It’s an up-and-coming niche in the professional organizing community that lends itself very well to the people who are natural storytellers but who also happen to be outstanding professional organizers by trade.

If you didn’t know this job existed, you’re not alone. I find that most people who eventually call me had never heard of a Certified Photo Organizer before they googled the problem.

What Can a Photo Organizer Do For You?

A personal photo organizer can help you with everything from managing your printed photo collection to making sense of your digital chaos to creating beautiful slideshows or photo books for your family. In short, a photo organizer is a memory specialist.

The most common photo organizing services include:

• Organizing printed photo collections
• Organizing digital photo collections
• Designing photo books
• Creating slideshows
• Archiving memorabilia
• Setting up a backup system
• Setting up a cloud solution
• Scanning your outdated formats
• Creating customized photo gifts
• Teaching computer & software skills

Each business has its own specialized niche, and this list illustrates the wide variety of areas you can call upon professionals for help with. Some organizers specialize only in organized analog media, others specialize in creating photo books. I happen to specialize in digital photo organizing. I also coach my clients remotely via one-on-one sessions, and I teach online via courses and webinars. Whatever your needs are, there is a photo organizer who can help.

How Does it Work?

After an initial consultation, your photo organizer will work with you to set specific goals, just like a residential organizer would. Depending on what your project looks like, this may take anything from a few weeks to a few months. The cost varies depending on who you work with, where you are located, what type of work it is, how long your project takes, and how involved you are. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Finding a Photo Organizer

Two great resources for hiring a photo organizer are:

The first one is the Association of Personal Photo Organizers (APPO)(formed in 2012). This association has hundreds of members around the world who come together for continuing education at an annual conference. To find a certified member of APPO in your area, visit http://www.appo.org and search their directory.

Many photo organizers also belong to the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). You can search their directory at https://thephotomanagers.com/ for an organizer with the required skills in your area.

Becoming a Personal Photo Organizer

If you’re reading this thinking photo organizing would be a perfect job for you, congratulations! This is a booming industry and the need for our services will only continue to grow in the next few years! Visit http://www.appo.org to learn more about this exciting career opportunity!