3 Ideas for Making Down-Time Productive

04 Apr 3 Ideas for Making Down-Time Productive

When I first heard that we needed to stay at home, and the restaurants were closing, and all the activities I had signed up for got cancelled, I was really bummed!

But then I started thinking about all the projects that were half done or not even started, and I realized that this down time is a great time to get things done.

So, now that you have time, either because your normal activities got cancelled, or because you’ve eliminated your commute time, what about tackling that photo project?  But where should you start?

Here are some ideas for starting the photo project:

1. Take inventory
   
   1. For prints and slides, look for all the places where the physical prints or slides could be.
      1. Are they all in one closet?
      2. Do you own a storage unit? Are some there?
      3. What about the attic, basement or garage?
      4. Are some with relatives?
   2. For prints – are some in albums? Are the albums all in one place?
   3. For digital images, think of all the devices – current and old – that hold pictures.
      1. For the older devices, do you have the charging cables for them?
   4. Write down all the places at which you found pictures, so when you start working you could check them off to be sure nothing gets missed.

2. Pick a place to start and just start
   1. Select a box, carousel, or device and start organizing it.
   2. Or you can go bigger, and start with one closet or one album.
3. Call a Photo Organizer, and have her organize your photos for you
   1. Discuss what to do with the pictures, slides, and negatives after they are digitized.
      1. Some clients have requested to throw everything out.
      2. Others want the photos and slides saved in photo-safe boxes.
         1. Be sure to understand the various options in photo boxes.
            1. Photo shoe boxes, which could be purchased at craft stores, are fine for temporary storage, or pictures you really don’t care about.
            2. Plastic, acid free, photo bins are great for most pictures.
            3. Archival boxes are the very best. They could be used for any pictures.  They should definitely be used for old pictures.
         2. Confirm that it’s ok to toss duplicates.
         3. Discuss ways to organize the photos. Do you prefer chronological?  By event?  By person?

One of the first steps in organizing is curating.  Go through your pictures and ruthlessly toss duplicates, bad pictures or any picture that does not “speak” to you.  If it doesn’t spark a memory or bring a story to mind, it is not “speaking” to you.  But don’t let yourself go down memory lane – only allow yourself a few seconds per picture to make the decision.

If you need help or guidance on starting a photo project do not hesitate to contact PreciousMemories.  I would be happy to work with you, one-on-one, using a virtual session.