The Archivist

Archiving family photos haunts me especially when I fall behind..like now...I'm really behind. First, let me say that I am NOT a person who actively participates in the art form of scrapbooking photos (However, I do appreciate and admire those that can keep up with beautiful scrapbooks!) In years past, I managed to get a pretty decent 'first year' Creative Memories type scrapbook completed for child #1 and #2 (I am so sorry little #3!) with fancy layouts, papers, type, stickers and all. But, I quickly jumped off that boat. Despite being the artsy/craftsy type, scrapbooking is not for me. I think it was the pressure to make every page a work of art coupled with the falling behind feeling of drowning in photos that I personally couldn't handle. Although here I am, all guilt ridden and drowning even with my simplified scrapbooking system.

Since the year 2000, I have been putting photos in chronological order with a short caption. I use photo books like the above which have a 4" x 6" photo slot and a space on the side of each photo for captions. Compared to trying to really scrapbook, this seemed more manageable. My system is as follows:


1) transfer photos from digital camera to computer

2) upload photos (every month or so) from computer to Kodak Gallery

3) add captions to each online photo

4) digitally share album with family and friends

5) order actual prints (every few months) of all digital photos

6) place actual prints in the above type of photo book in chronological order

7) hand write identical captions that appeared with online photo

8) breathe sigh of relief and enjoy feeling of MAJOR accomplishment

My thought is that with this system, I have both an online record (that I'm assuming is safe in the hands of the big K) and actual books that our family can hold, look through and reminisce. I can't tell you how much my family enjoys our photo books. Completely worth it, but still time consuming especially when I fall behind. This morning I managed to catch up so that all pix have at least been through step #2. The bad news is that I have pix from September '07 that are still stuck on step #7 so I'm over a year behind in my process (even though I managed to find time to make matching throw pillows for my office...see top photo...hmmmm). I'm pledging right now to myself and anyone reading to spend AT LEAST 30 minutes per day on family photos until I am caught up. You heard me...30 minutes per day. Archival guilt be gone.

Thanks to Cuteable for doing a write up on my Frustration Pencil kits last week. Also thanks Amy and Gary from the Cincinnati Enquirer who came to do a photo story on my new studio space. Stay tuned for that article coming soon!