How to Organize and Manage Pictures: Part 3
How’s the culling going? Are you finally getting rid of that digital baggage? I hope so! Some of you have shared that you’re overwhelmed and unsure where to start, but don't worry—just pick a section and work through it! You can even set aside time instead of wasting it on another Netflix binge. Try looking through a set of photos on your phone or computer, and take it step by step. By breaking it down into manageable tasks, you’ll feel less overwhelmed, and little by little, you'll get through it!
Now that we’ve culled those photos, let’s talk about getting them off your devices and ready for printing. We’ll dive into two categories: phone photographers and camera photographers. With phones becoming such powerful cameras, many of us are now using them exclusively, so why bother carrying a heavy camera when your phone does the job just as well—and fits in your pocket? (I can almost hear the pro photographers cringing, but for most people, this is true!)
Exclusive Phone Photographers, These Tips Are for You!
Tip #3: Edit, Lightly, if You Want To
If you feel the need to edit your photos, you don’t need to fire up your computer—most phones have built-in photo editing tools. But here’s my advice: don’t overdo it. Your photos are meant to capture moments, not become works of art every time. If you’re like me and prefer to keep things simple, the built-in options like “enhance” or basic straightening are all you need. If you want to get fancy, apps like VSCO, Instagram, or Lightroom Mobile can help, but keep it light. Personally, I edit only about 10% of my phone pics, and I keep it subtle.
Tip #4: Don’t Use a Middle Man
Once you’ve culled and lightly edited your photos, it's time to get them printed. The great news? You no longer need to jump through hoops. You can print directly from your phone using apps that make the process simple. Why bother with all the uploading and organizing when you can print straight from your device?
FreePrints: I use this app for quick, affordable prints. After my dad passed away, I was trying to create a slideshow for his funeral, but I struggled to get my photos off the cloud and into my hands. Since then, I’ve been using FreePrints for my everyday snapshots. For about 80 free prints a month (just pay for shipping), I get pictures that I can hold and share. Sure, the quality isn’t top-tier, but it’s perfect for those casual photos I want to keep.
Artifact Uprising: For those special photos that deserve to be showcased, Artifact Uprising is my go-to. The quality is top-notch, and I use it to print the very best shots from the year. You can select directly from your camera roll, and the prints arrive beautifully packaged. These are the photos that I want to keep in a display box on my coffee table for my family to enjoy.
Chatbooks: Another great option for those who want a more automated way to print phone pics. Chatbooks allows you to create beautiful photo books straight from your camera roll. Once you receive your book, you can permanently delete the photos from your phone and move on. No more clutter, just memories preserved in a beautiful book.
Why complicate things? These apps allow you to print your phone photos with minimal effort, no complex organization required. Whether you're printing everyday shots or special moments, it’s a simple way to get your photos off the device and into your hands.
Next time, we’ll talk about getting photos from your camera SD cards onto your computer for even more organization.
Note: As I encourage you to delete your photos after printing them, remember that there’s no backup of those pictures. In the next post, we’ll discuss backing up your precious memories to ensure they’re safely stored in case of an emergency. This advice is for those who just want prints and don’t want to deal with the overwhelming digital world anymore.