Organizing your photos doesn’t have to be a chore — but without a system, things can get messy fast. A bit of structure makes it easier to find your favorite shots, avoid duplicates, and prepare files for print or sharing.

Simple Folder Strategies

  • By yearPhotos/2024/
  • By event or topicPhotos/Vacation 2023/
  • By person or projectPhotos/Kids/School Events/

Use what fits your style — consistency is more important than format.

File Naming

  • Rename files with dates or keywords
    • Example: 2024-07-20-hiking.jpg
  • Avoid duplicate names from cameras like IMG_1234.jpg

Tagging and Metadata

  • Use tools like StorePhotos to add tags, ratings, or notes
  • Sort by date taken, location, or camera model

Tips

  • Clean up regularly to avoid clutter
  • Keep an “Inbox” folder for new photos before sorting
  • Batch edit when applying tags or renaming files

Related Topics