So many pictures, so little time

Would you like to take advantage of the Live Love Laugh photo contest or the Hooray for Summer Special at JMC, but you have no idea how to find those favorite photos in your massive hard drive? Maybe you're looking for some special photos for a family reunion display or other project. The fact is, there are so many photos, and you don't know where to begin. Here are a few simple steps to get you started organizing:

1. Drag and drop all your photos into your "My Pictures" folder.
2. Add folders within that folder each year that you have photos for.
3. Within each year folder, add folders for big events, special occasions or by person.
4. Then start dropping the pictures in the appropriate folders.

Now you're well on your way! At least you can find what you're looking for.

Next, as time permits, look at the pictures in each folder, and delete the duplicate and blurry ones. This is a key step. If you cannot see what's in the photo, you will never use it, and it has to go!

This would also be the time to rename the keepers from names like DSCN26781 and HPIM3233 to names like AZMarathon1 and CampingTrip34. This will help others in the family quickly find photos later too.

If you go into this with a plan like the one outlined above, it will not seem so impossible. And once you get it done, your task of organizing any new photos will seem small.

Once your digital pictures are organized...oh, just think of all the possibilities!