Organizing Those Summer Photos
30 June 2011
Author: Corrine Mihlek-Brzys
Let’s face it—there’s just no season like summer for amassing photos. Between camp-outs and cook-outs, amusement parks and parades, water sports and backyard barbeques, summer is a prolific producer of photo opportunities. In order to manage the mountain of summer photos before the hubbub of the holidays begins, set aside a little time to try these tips and organizational ideas.
Pick the Best Shots:
First, turn a discerning eye to your photos and determine which pictures you really need or want to keep. For example, ask yourself how many strikingly similar shots of Uncle Bob grinning at the grill you’ll really require. No matter if they’re digital images or developed prints, think about how you’ll use them. Which photos will best help you express the event or meaning you want to portray?
Consider Your Display Methods:
While you’re organizing and sorting, think about how you’ll want to display and scrapbook your pictures.
- Will it be chronologically? By event? As a montage of one summer?
- Let your possible future projects guide you.
- For example, if you’ll be making more than one theme album of the summer (I do a large one for the whole family and a smaller version for each child), you’ll want to make sure there are enough photos of each event for each book.
How to Store Your Summer Photos:
Storing your pictures in a way that works for you ensures that your precious summer memories won’t get lost in a sea of forgotten photographs. For me, a shoebox-style photo holder makes sorting and storing a snap. I label the outside of the box with “Summer” and the year, print my pictures, and file them according to how I’ll best scrap them. This way, when I have even the tiniest amount of free craft time, I can find what I need right away.
Display Options:
Everyone knows the best part of summer photos (other than taking them) is displaying and scrapping them! Display options vary and can include matting and framing in single and multi-photo frames, creating shadow boxes, and making a special “Our Summer” photo loop on a digital frame.
Scrapbooking Summer Photos:
Scrapping summer memories doesn’t have to mean filling traditional 12 x 12 inch layouts and books. I find one of the best ways to get a lot of pictures in one attractively scrapped book is by using a 2-up photo album. Originally meant to house 4 x 6 inch photos and a strip of journaling, you can stick to the original intent, create mini-layouts, or mix it up as you want.
Mini Books:
Another great way to scrap your summer fun pictures is to make mini-albums. These small-scale albums let you scrap fast. With a little planning, you can even finish a mini-book in a few hours!
- Try a “My Summer” mini-book for each family member, hitting the season’s highlights for each person.
- Or try scrapping an “Our Summer” series, with each mini book focused on one spectacular trip or event. Display them together to get an exciting overview of your family’s summer.
Getting a handle on summer photos is fast and easy with the above tips. Try one or two, see what works for you, and start planning today!