Q - How do I get started?

A - We offer a a free 30 minute phone or video consultation so we can find out more about your photo management goals.

Q-Once my photos have been organized, how do I maintain the photo management system?

A-Keeping your photos organized after we finish the project is important. We can teach you how to maintain your new system. We also have clients who prefer us to do regular maintenance and come to us for monthly, quarterly or annual “check-ups”.

Q - How long does a project take?

A - Each job is unique. Small jobs typically take 3-5 hours, while larger jobs with added complexities require 30 hours or more. The scope of the project impacts the timeline.

Q - How much will it cost to organize my photo collection?

A - Every project is unique. The pricing depends on a number of individual factors that affect the total cost. We customize each project to the individual by listening to our client’s goals, developing a plan, and implementing according to the desired outcome.

Q - I have so many priceless memories hidden on MiniDV’s (popular in the early 2000’s), VHS, Hi-8, Digital 8, DVD’s and other film or media devices. How can I preserve my fondest home movies?

A - A photo manager can digitize a variety of film and tapes and return the usable digital format to you on a data disc or hard drive. Once digitized, movies may be edited and enhanced to the client’s needs and specifications. These memories “come back to life again” and can be shared on Apple TV, Vimeo, YouTube, social media, and other cloud services, all while preserving the digitized data for safe-keeping. We may combine our in-house expertise with our trusted partners specializing in film and slide preservation.

Q - How do we sort photos?

A - We use the ABCs method - a sorting process used by Professional Photo Managers. A = Archival or Album Ready: these are the best photos in your collection and are a priority to digitize; B = Box: these are photos that support the A ones; may or may not be digitized but will be saved in an archival box. C = Yes you “can”: these are blurry, duplicates, or landscapes photos that you can discard. S = these photos tell a story - even they aren’t the best photos, they tell the stories that you want to share.

Q - Which computer platforms do you work with?

A - We are comfortable working with both MAC and PC computers.

Q - What is IPTC and why is it important?

A - Photo metadata is key to protecting images' copyright and licensing information online. It is also essential for managing digital assets. Detailed and accurate descriptions about images ensure they can be easily and efficiently retrieved via search, by users or machine-readable code. This results in more precise tracking of images. Therefore, photo metadata is critical to photos. IPTC has specified metadata to meet these needs; it is the industry standard of professional photography.

Q - Why should I have my photos, slides, negatives and analog videos digitized?

A - Analog photos and videos are at risk for damage and degradation. Print photos were not meant to last forever, and are at risk of being lost or destroyed.

Q - Which should I tackle first - my printed photos or my digital photos?

A - It is best to handle digital photos first, as they are more vulnerable. First, they are at a far greater risk of loss due to a technology failure. Hard drives fail. Phones are lost, stolen, or damaged. Computers suddenly quit working. Second, without a photo organization program, digital images tend to get scattered across multiple devices, making them “intangible” and therefore, almost forgotten.

Q - Why should I hire a photo manager?

A – If you are like most people, your printed and digital photo collection has gotten out of control by the sheer number of photos we take on a daily basis. Most people simply don’t have the time to organize the thousands of photos on their devices. A professional photo manager has the supplies, equipment and technical expertise to safely and professionally manage your photos.

Q - What is The Photo Managers (TPM)?

A – The Photo Managers (formerly known as Association of Personal Photo Organizers - APPO) is an organization of professional photo organizers dedicated to preserving memories and helping clients tell their stories. Members are provided continuing education, training, resources, vendor partnerships and on-going networking. The organization is a leader in the photo management industry, and sets best practices for all aspects of photo management projects that result in optimal outcomes for both the client and the photo manager. Members can obtain professional certification.

Q – What do professional photo organizers do?

A – Professional photo organizers work with their busy clients to organize the thousands of printed photos and digital images they have into a safe, sorted, single, searchable and shareable photo library.