This is what I love about what I do. So many people have a batrillion digital photos and
- don't have a good system for actually doing something with them
- are overwhelmed at the amount of photos they have
- don't think they have the time to do anything with their photos
Photos need to be held, loved, seen, looked at, and interacted with. They need to be enjoyed.
And the truth is, we need our photos. Life at its best is a little rough, don't you think? But photos preserved are roses in December. Photos and memories have the power to lift us, to change us.
I love inspiring people to do something with their photos, but mostly I love giving them SOLUTIONS. Talking about it is great, but unless there's something to SOLVE the issue, what's the point?
I promise you right now that there's no time like the present. I know that it's tempting to think things like "after the summer is over," or "once I get the yard done" or "after this big thing I have going on at work" or "when my kids get older" or ... But the truth is that as soon as that one thing happens or gets done, another one will take its place. I heard someone once say that we have too much to do so that we will learn what's really important. So please don't get tricked into thinking that some day in the future you will have more opportunities to do something with your photos. The time is right now.
THE SOLUTION: A PRACTICAL PROCESS TO DOING SOMETHING WITH YOUR PHOTOS
1. Choose a memory-keeping solution that works for you. Click the red tab above called "3 memory-keeping options" to see which one fits you best. Overall, I suggest Heritage Makers digital memory-keeping because it goes quickly and has fewer steps than paper memory-keeping, and you can make multiple copies, and you can use a template. My YouTube channel is the the sidebar--check out the video tutorials there and you'll be a pro at Heritage Makers software ("Studio") in no time. My secondary suggestion would be for people who either already have printed photos that they don't want to scan or people who aren't computer-savvy, in which case I would recommend the Pocket Pages from Anthology.
2. Make time. We never "find" time for anything--we MAKE it. Can you cut out 2 hours of Facebook/TV/etc. time each week? Can you enlist the help of your kids so it's a project you're doing together? Can you reserve the same time of the day each week--Sunday mornings or Friday nights--as YOUR memory-keeping time? My suggestion is to actually put it on your calendar--truly MAKE TIME for your memory-keeping.
3. Get some help. Are you a little overwhelmed at how to start? Is time an issue? Is money an issue? Would working with someone else help you DO your good intentions? I've been coaching people on memory-keeping for over 11 years now, and I've listed several tips in the red tab above called "helpful tips." See if there's a suggestion for overcoming your particular struggle. If nothing else, remember that I hire out to make Heritage Makers projects for people. I can get everything organized and ready for you to finish (with names, dates, memories, etc.) if you prefer.
As a Heritage Makers consultant, I CONSULT. So don't hesitate to contact me for suggestions, ideas, pointers, or help getting started. My contact information is in the "contact me" tab above in red. Or here, too:
Don't let your babies grow up to be jpegs. Let me help you navigate the world of too many photos and too little time. #icanhelp