Digital photos provide a fast, easy way for us to revisit our favorite memories. However, if your digital photos are clustered randomly on your computer's desktop or in your image library, they will be much harder to browse through, locate, and enjoy. We'll show you simple ways to organize your digital photos for easy image searching and sharing.
Thin your photo library
With several ways to delete photos on a Windows PC, it's easy to clear your image library of unwanted pictures.
The first step in organizing your digital photo collection is eliminating all of your unwanted pictures (such as shots with your thumb over the lens).
There are two easy ways to delete digital photos on your Windows PC:
Right-click the photo and choose Delete from the menu options.
If you're using the free photo management software Windows Live Photo Gallery, open a photo from the gallery by double–clicking the image, and then select the red "X" in the lower right corner of the screen.
You can also save time by deleting photos from your camera's memory card before downloading to your PC.
Use important or obvious elements within a photo to help you create a useful file name.
Be specific when naming your image files; choose Eiffel_tower_2007.jpg rather than Vacation_2007.jpg, for example.
There are a few key things to remember when naming your photo files to ensure easy image searching: Use descriptive file names
For example, who would recall that HPIM0007.JPG is their favorite shot of the kids from a family vacation to Paris
Add details in the title for easy retrieval later on. For instance, use Eiffel_tower_2007.jpg rather than Vacation_2007.jpg.
Name as you download
Name your photos immediately after you download them, or you may be left with folders full of obscure numerical file names, such as Untitled_0264.jpg.
If you only have a few photos to rename, click each file name once to highlight and edit.
If you have dozens to rename, try batching your photos. Read on to learn more about this simple method for renaming large groups of photos.
Tagging photos with key words or phrases makes it much easier to search for (and organize) them later.
Tagging a photo is the process of attaching descriptive keywords or phrases to an image file.
Tags offer another way to search for photos. For example, if you're looking for a photo of your daughter Celia playing in the snow, but can't remember that the exact title is Winter_sleds_2008.jpg, you can still find the image by searching for the tag Celia, which will bring up every photo in which she is tagged. Learn more about how to tag your photos for easy organizing.
Creating well–organized folders for your images is another way to keep your digital photos sorted.
If you don't have time to add tags to your images, you can still keep things organized by creating digital photo folders:
There are many different ways to organize a folder system. One efficient method is to organize your folders by year, and then create subfolders for each month.
You could also organize your folders by season (for example Summer '09) and use important events as subfolders.
No matter which way you decide to arrange and label your folders, remember that consistency is key.
Start your organization process with photos that inspire you–such as pictures from a favorite trip.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the number of photos you have to sort through, pick a photo theme or a series of pictures that inspire you, and use that as a starting point for organizing your images. Here are a few examples to get you started:
Family baby pictures
Create a special album dedicated to all the members of your family when they were young. Or, use the birth of a new member as the inspiration to start organizing.
Top-ten
Think of a top–ten theme, such as top–ten favorite concerts or top–ten scenic photos, and make folders for all your top shots.
Travel photos
Comb your photo library for pictures of the places close to your heart.
Use free photo frame templates, available at the HP Creative Studio, to add a special touch to your printed digital pictures. Easily share photos with Grandma and Grandpa using online Snapfish albums.
Once your pictures are organized, you'll be inspired to view, print, and show them off. Share with friends and family
Visit Snapfish to create a shareable online photo album starring all your favorite snapshots.
Archive photos to DVD. Once they’re on a disc, you have an easy way to send a large batch of photos to friends and family or to share at a party or gathering. Feature photos from your most recent vacation, a special event, or the holiday season.
Create simple photo gifts
From calendars to stationery, the HP Creative Studio features a variety of printable photo projects you can create online and print at home for unique, personalized gifts.
Snapfish also offers a variety of fun photo gifts and projects, perfect for showcasing your favorite digital pictures.
Find a printer to do it all
Check out the HP Photosmart photo printer buying guide to compare features and find the ideal printer to help you print and share your (newly organized) digital photo collection.
After you've done the work of organizing your photos, you'll be even more invested in preserving them for safekeeping. Explore this introduction to archiving your digital photos, and then find additional information on the various methods for storing your photos:
Printable version
