Decluttering Defined: Photographs

Decluttering and downsizing anything sentimental can be a very difficult endeavor. If you haven’t yet read our blog post entry “Facing Emotions in Downsizing,” it could be a good idea to start there before getting into the specifics here.

Photographs are one of those sentimental items that can be difficult to downsize. They are actual physical representations of our memories in an even bigger way than sentimental trinkets and memorabilia. And the “take a picture of it before you get rid of it” decluttering tip definitely does not apply here… So how should you approach downsizing your photographs?

First, as always, think about your goals. For most people, the goal for decluttering photos is for them to take up less space. This can be accomplished in 2 different ways.

1. You can digitize them  
2. You can get rid of them

Digitize Photos

If you can’t see yourself parting with any of your photographs, you can reduce the amount of space they take up by digitizing them. You can do this process yourself, if you have the tech savvy, or you can hire someone to take care of the process. If you hire someone to digitize your photos, you will send the photos to them, they will scan them, and then they will give you the digital file of your photos when they are finished.

What happens to the photos after the scanning process depends on who you work with. Some companies will dispose of the photos and some companies may send them back to you. If your goal is to reduce the space the photos are taking up, I would encourage you to take advantage of the photo disposal services offered. Otherwise, when you get them back, you’re probably still going to feel bad about getting rid of them and might just end up with a digital file AND a physical copy.

Are there any downsides to digitizing photos? The only downside you might have to consider is that technology changes frequently. In 100 years, the digital photo solution that you used might be obsolete.

There are a couple of great companies in the area that can help you with your photo digitization. If you’re just looking for photo scanning services, try The Camera Company or Corrine Raup, ambassador at FOREVER®. If you would like to get a little fancier with your digitization and incorporate scrapbooking into your process, Corrine Raup, ambassador at FOREVER®, also offers that additional service.

Downsize Photos

If you’re not comfortable with or interested in the digital photo scanning solution, what are some strategies you can use to help you reduce the size of your photo collection? Do some sorting following the guidelines below:

1. Photos without people - If you have a photo that doesn’t have any people in it, that could be one to consider getting rid of. If you’re worried about losing track of the memories of the place represented in the photo (and it’s a well-known place), write down the name of the place in a notebook and the next time you’d like to see it, Google it. I promise, their photo is better anyways.
2. Photos with people you don’t know - If you have a bunch of photos that have people in them that you don’t know and you don’t have anyone you can ask who the people are, those could be good candidates for removal from your collection.
3. Photo collections - Do you have 16 photos of your great niece, Bethany, during various time periods? Maybe you have 150 photos of your oldest son. Consider making a pile of photos of a particular person and gifting those photos to that person. I can guarantee that person will appreciate your thoughtful gift.
4. Photos with historical significance - You might have some photos that are of historical significance on a large scale or on a small scale. If your family has resided in a particular area for generations, your local historical society may appreciate the chance to go through your photos. Historical societies and museums will likely want a notable story to accompany any photo, so make sure you present as many details as you can to whomever is considering your photo(s).

If you are throwing away photos, you might be wondering what the best way to dispose of them might be. You do not need to do anything special to dispose of photos. They can go directly in the trash bin. Some folks feel more comfortable shredding them prior to putting them in the trash but that’s only necessary if it makes you feel more comfortable.

Happy sorting!