One of the questions I am asked most is, "What do you do with your own photos?" That question can be a little intimidating for professional photographers because we all have our own methods that work best for our own unique personalities. Apple Photos, Box, Dropbox, external hard drives, Flickr, Lightroom, Photoshop, SmugMug, and there are so many more options, too. For this reason I'm going to share with you a few simple ways to organize your photographs. I hope you're inspired!

I realize that organization doesn't sound like the most fun use of your time, but be honest -- you've spent time digging through your camera, computer, phone, or SD card in search of that one image. A system of organizing your memories is an important step toward actually printing photos for you and your family to enjoy.

"So," you're asking, "Where should I store my images?" That's a magnificent question! There are several ways to organize and store your photos ...

Personal Computer Organization

When you import photos from your camera or phone onto your computer, always upload your images to the same photo program. Whether you use iPhoto, Pictures, or a different program, spend a little time choosing a program that works for you and stick with it. Once your photos are uploaded, it's time to spend 10 minutes culling (that's photographer-speak for "going through and only keeping the 'good' ones") the photos. Selecting your best photos right away will save you time down the road.

Consider creating a folder on your computer for each year (or for major events like births or family vacations). Organizing your images by year can also save you a lot of time!