More photos.

My giant order from ScrapbookPictures.com came today. Super exciting to have all these photos in hand. Like I said in my post the other day there is really nothing quite as inspiring as a fresh stack of photos. I went with matte finish and am really impressed once again with the quality (and I do like that they are here in Oregon).

There were a couple questions on that post the other day regarding getting all those photos uploaded and printed. My process tends to go a little something like this:

1. Upload photos from camera to computer (I use iPhoto).

2. Quickly (and I mean quickly) go through them and delete the obvious bad ones - now as many of you know I am a fan of blurred photos so I will usually hang onto them if they can tell a story but I don't need to have 10 of the same blurred shot...one will do just fine. Also, if I have 20 of Simon playing on the floor with a game I will keep one or two and delete the others. We do not need to have more than a couple of him playing with a game on a particular day...the reason? Because we will be taking more of him playing with another game the next day. Make sense?

3. Adjustments to the photos: I am not one to make many adjustments (color, etc) to my photos. Sometimes I will adjust the color a bit, lighten a shot, or crop, but for the most part I leave them be. This is due to two reasons: (1) it takes too much time to mess with them and (2) I like that they are a true representation of the shot I took.

4. Upload to an online photo developer. Costco or ScrapbookPictures.com have both been good for me. On Scrapbook Pictures you can change to black and white, add borders, crop, etc after you have uploaded before you check out. You can also add cool border features designed by Karen Russell. I also love that you have the option of getting an index print.

5. Wait patiently for them to come to my house (or pick them up at Costco).

6. Open up the package with glee and feel super inspired by all the contents.

Ever since I took Stacy Julian's Library of Memories class last year (and have been following along again this session) I have been storing my prints in these 5x7 holders (see photo above) from Cropper Hopper. They work good for me and how I tend to work with my photos. Right now, since I am in the middle of a big project, I am keeping the box open out on my desk so I can grab a couple and get to work. I am also using some three-up albums from Pioneer to store photos from trips and enable me to better see what I have on hand.

People often ask about my photo organization and I am really pretty much a student of the Stacy Julian philosopy of storage and albums. Notice I say student. This means that I am still working towards a fully functional system. I love her approach, philosopy, and attitude.

I think photo organization and storage is one of the biggest issues we all face as life artists. It can be super overwhleming. It's all about tailoring a system to fit your own needs, working conditions, etc.

Back to work.

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40 thoughts

  1. Sally in Mass says…
    02/01/2007

    that is some stack of pictures! I need to do that same thing. I have soooooooo many pictures in iphoto right now waiting to be processed. Maybe that will inspire me to get back to scrapbooking!
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. cindy says…
    02/01/2007

    Ali, I always love seeing your work area. Totally inspiring. I am taking LOM right now too!! It's overwhelming at times seeing all my pictures EVERYWHERE but I'm totally excited about having a process that works for me and let's me accomplish all that I want to with my photos and that's TELL OUR STORIES! Peace and blessings, Cindy

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Erin Saeger says…
    02/01/2007

    Isn't it great to have so many great photos to scrapbook? I always enjoy seeing your work area--would love to see more of your work space that inspires you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. beth j says…
    02/01/2007

    thanks for sharing your process...it's always fun to see how people work with their photos. have fun working!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Therese Bradley says…
    02/01/2007

    Thanks for giving us a link to the 3-up photo albums. I've seen mention of them before by other people, but couldn't find a source for them.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Kris with a K says…
    02/01/2007

    Love seeing your workspace....and thanks for the link to Scrapbookpictures. I started an account there and am uploading. I do have a PictureMate (I call her the 'Happy Little Toaster'), but for the price that online can't be beat. Not to mention the border options available. And I want some photos in 5x7 anyway.
    On organizing the photos...have you tried the Creative Memories PowerSort system? I used to be a consultant years ago, and got the system right before I deactivated. I really like the system, because the sections can be removed and rearranged, and the Mini Box holds just 3 of the sections. It's nice for portability. Just thought I'd mention the system, and it rocks for me. And I just resorted all my photos from chronologically to Stacy's type of divisions, after reading The Big Picture. So now I can grab a section, like 'People We Love' and do some layouts knowing the photos are all in there.
    Thanks for sharing from CHA, too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Pam S. says…
    02/01/2007

    Wow, that's a lot of photos in a short time span. TFS your process. A couple Qs for you:
    -- Do you print any photos at home?
    -- Do you print all photos you take, meaning you have a print of everything on your computer?
    I have been failing miserably at keeping up with the prints and find that I have to go on the computer to find something. I dislike that and will need to start keeping up and then going back and printing so many from the last few years when I started digital.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Marty says…
    02/01/2007

    thank you SO much for taking the time to tell us about your process. I, for one, have a tendency to fiddle with most of my pics in adobe photoshop but after reading your blog, I realize that yes, it takes time to do that, and so I put it off and where does that leave me? pictureless! I am looking forward to starting my 'week in the life' picture-taking soon so maybe, because I need to have LOTS of pics, I can try something new, and 'leave them be' as they are.
    Again, thanks for insight into your work and world. I benefit more than you know! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. cgarrett says…
    02/01/2007

    that stack of photos makes me giddy for you as well ! i always love that....and i love what you said about "pics of simon playing a game"....i tend to(ahem)at times take way too many pics of the same thing and there really is no need...i'm working on that ! needless to say i'm not a 1 pic/per page scrapper ! thanks for your taking the time to tell us your process...i always enjoy "listening"

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Deborah Hensley says…
    02/01/2007

    It's nice to see how someone else organizes photos. I was just thinking about this today as I was at Wal-Mart and looking at their albums. I know some people put their pictures in photo albums, and then pull them out and scrap them, but I think a box is the the way for me. I just got 218 photos from Shutterfly today from my trip to Dubai, so I can't wait to finish this project. (after seeing your 1500 photos, 218 doesn't seem like quite so much, lol!)
    Thanks for your post, it was helpful to me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. PamMc says…
    02/01/2007

    You're post a couple days ago inspired me to upload about 180 photos I've been putting off ordering. They're ordered and should be here this weekend. Love scrapbookpictures. thanks for the inspiration, once again.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. denise says…
    02/01/2007

    i have to laugh each time i read "back to work" your work ethic is admirable! can't wait to see the new book ~ i'm sure all your hard work will be worthwhile. denise

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. cindy says…
    02/01/2007

    i was just telling my hubby that i wanted to spend this weekend sending lots of pics to Costco & backing up my photos, too (i have been slacking the last few months) i will have to look into Scrapbook Pictures site. i've always used Costco, never had a problem w/ their services. you have inspired me...so i can't wait to get my photos organized.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Courtney says…
    02/01/2007

    i really love the Starbucks holiday green sleeve on your desk... now THAT is inspiration for anyday! :o)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. TheScrapbookCritic says…
    02/01/2007

    LOVE Scrapbook Pictures!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Susan in NY says…
    02/01/2007

    ALI, I didn't know you were in LOM! How cool!!! I am struggling to keep up, but LOVE Stacy's philosophy and I know that I will get there. Thanks for sharing your system with us!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Kla says…
    02/01/2007

    Oh my Gahh thank you for not editing your damn photos. I mean, I'm all about a perfect shot...but who has the patience to deal w/ the photoshop???
    This is yet again why you are my hero.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Paula says…
    02/01/2007

    How tidy are you!! I love to see things all stacked & stored neatly.
    I always print my own photos on matt paper as they don't shine on scrap pages causing the flash to kick back. It's bad enough trying to get a dcent pic when you use metal embellishments.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. PROLIX from la Normandie says…
    02/01/2007

    I'd like to have the opportunity to print all my pics!!!
    it would be sooo génial!!!
    all the great stuff you'll make with!!!
    ;o)
    {ThE fReNcH tOuCh}
    http://prolix.typepad.fr

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Tambur says…
    02/01/2007

    Love, love, LOVE Scrapbookpictures.com. I am living overseas and getting my pictures in the mail is like a little gift to me. I upload my pictures, change color, choose the sizes of photos (really like the 2x2 as supporting photos) and the fact that I can have my pictures printed in matte, which always turns out awesome, is just so rewarding and exciting! I am currently in Stacy's LOM class and being totally loving it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Brooke says…
    02/01/2007

    Ali,
    I completely agree that photo organization and storage is a big deal. Finding something that works for you means that you can actually create art. I find when my organization isn't working for me I dread getting in my room to create.
    I had to laugh when you said that you use iPhoto. I was mucking around with some photos the other day on iPhoto, and thought that I was editing copies of my original. Ooopps, I wasn't. Thankfully I was able to get my original photo back. No more playing just yet until I know what on earth I'm doing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Brooke says…
    02/01/2007

    Ali,
    I completely agree that photo organization and storage is a big deal. Finding something that works for you means that you can actually create art. I find when my organization isn't working for me I dread getting in my room to create.
    I had to laugh when you said that you use iPhoto. I was mucking around with some photos the other day on iPhoto, and thought that I was editing copies of my original. Ooopps, I wasn't. Thankfully I was able to get my original photo back. No more playing just yet until I know what on earth I'm doing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. suetreiber says…
    02/02/2007

    I need to process some pix too, but don't think I can handle 1500 at the same time! Yikes that's a lot of sorting.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Nancy says…
    02/02/2007

    One thing I like to do is have a folder called "To Print". As I'm going through folders on my computer (which I have by date), I just copy over the ones I want to print into the "To Print" folder. When I get them printed, I then can delete the entire folder. I suppose you could put a sub-folder called 5x7 for those you want to print larger.
    By they way...I work for a company that makes disk drives. We do everything we can to make sure they don't crash, but they can. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure you have your photos backed up!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Ann says…
    02/02/2007

    You're so organized! It's inspiring, for sure.
    I've been putting off getting some layouts printed and good thing too because I just popped over to Scrapbook Pictures and see that for the month of February 12 x 12 prints are only $2.49! What a deal!

    Reply 0 Replies

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