Photo Organization
Frequently Asked Questions
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​Photo Organization/Management
Why Hire a Photo Manager?
Imagine effortlessly finding that picture-perfect moment from your last family vacation or quickly accessing nostalgic snapshots from years gone by. Picture a life where your photos are more than just scattered files on your devices—they are a beautifully organized, easily accessible narrative of your life’s journey.
However, the reality for many is a digital clutter, a maze of untagged photos, and the frustration of not being able to locate that special image when you want it. This disorganization not only hinders your ability to relive precious moments but also prevents you from sharing and enjoying your memories with others.
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How much does this cost?
Because each Project is so customized to the Client's needs, the price of a Project varies significantly and will be itemized in the Client Proposal post Assessment.
Some influencing price factors are:
a) the Number of Photos and Sources in a Client's collection (Example photo sources are Phone(s), Cloud accounts, Google Photos, external hard drives, old computers, camera SD cards, etc.)
b) the Type of the Service(s) for the Project (Example: Printed photo or Digitial Photo Organization, Scanning Services to Convert printed to digitial Photo, Storage and Safe3ty Aspects, Creative Sharing Products such as a Photobook or Slideshow, etc)
c) Timeframe Requirements
d) Client Participation
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Depending on your Project Needs/Complexity/Goals/Plan, there will be different Payment Guidelines which will be explained in detail in your Proposal that you receive prior to Agreement signing. More complex Projects will require periodic installments at different phases of the Project
Al projects require a deposit that is due at time of Contract/Agreement signing, in order to initiate process/get on the schedule. l
What is the charge for getting started?
No charge to begin the process of filling out an intake form and schedulig an initial meeting to discuss your needs/goals and my services
If your project entails the shipment of printed photos or digital sources in order for to me to evaluate and work with the collection remotely, you will pay to ship the items to me. HOwever I travel for free up to 30 miles for pick up; I can trqavel over 30 milea for pick up but a travel fee is charged.
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How does a photo manager get my printed photos?
This depends on what works best for the client. A Photo manager may choose to travel to a clients house and working within the clients home or morelikely,bring the photos back to to their office to work the process. Some cltents who live farther away ,and plan to work remotely, may ship their photos to the office.
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What does the finished Printed Photo Orgnaized Collection look like?
Most often a Printed Photo Collection will consist of Archival methods and Equipment that wll safely contain the printed photos. Multiple clear envelopes organized and labeled by year or Theme create a quick and easy way to locatephotos as needed. Some folks prefer an Album design. Negativ es can be stored with their correlating phtos. It is presented in a sleek design that preserves the material...Carolyn will share a number of options for the printed photos as well as products for slides/negatives containment/preservation.
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What is involved in Photo Scanning Services ?
The Photo Organizer will gather all of your printed Photos (and other materials such as kids artwork, awards, etc. as needed), and first organize them. second step involves using speicialized software and equipment to convert to a digital format (typically a jpeg file).. Final step is then organizing those digital files into an easily accessible and sharable collection.
In addition Slides and negatives can be scanned. Currenlty , Carolyn is outsourcing Slide/Negative/Film Reel Scanning services
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How do I order a Photobook?
Simply provide us with a number of photos you would like in your book along with discussing with Carolyn the following questions
a) purpose of the Photobook (gift, coffee table book, etc)
b) Theme of Photobook (Holiday, Yearly Wrap Up, Graduation, Birthday, Anniversary, Family Reunions, Vacations, etc)
c) Style and Design preferences
Given Carolyn's expertise, she can also assist in choosing best photos to utilize per the goal of the Photobook
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What is a digital organizaing session?
A Digital Photo Organizing Session is the solution to your digital photo overwhelm! There are a few options to gather Digital photos:
a) Either you or I can use a small External Hard Drive to collect all your digital photos from your all your devices while at your house
b) Using screen sharing software, I will work on YOUR computer to organize your digital photos... no matter where in the world you are located.
c) During zoom mtg, I will walk you though the process of moving your photos to 1 Hub that I will then use to work the process of Organization
We will first consolidate photos from multiple sources, then sort them into a simple folder structure, remove duplicates and move insignificant photos (recipes, scenery), add metadata (info about the photo), and edit as needed . The next step is to back it all up to your preferred cloud service provider as well as provide you with an External Hard drive, so you have 2-3 backups for safe keeping; this is the rule of thumb for Best Practice Safety
You are left with ONE organized Photo Library containing your lifetime of digital photos + videos. And it’s properly backed up to the cloud so you can sleep well knowing your photos are finally safe!
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Can I get my old videotapes or film reels digitized?
Absolutely! This requires more complex equipment. We outsource this service to those who speicalize inthis more complex project.
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What is invovled in getting a Photo Montague or Slideshow completed?
This is one of Carolyn's favorite services that she offers! A slideshow put to music is a pricelss, heartwarming and often emotionaladdition to any event. Bu t can also simply be a fun dynamic way to revisit or share special memories with family and friends
All photos used in the slideshow have to be digitized if not already in digital format
Depending on the purpose/theme of the Slideshow, Carolyn will work with you in determining the best photos and music to utilize, in addition to your "Must- Haves" list of photos and music.
Typical events where a Slideshow is a hit include Birthdays, Anniversaries, Bridal Showers, Engagement parties, Funerals, Graduations, Yearly, Seasonal , or Holiday Wrap Up, Athletic teams End of Season Parties, Vacations, Family Reunions
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How do I determine which type of Service or Session Package I need??
As Carolyn and you begin to communicate and Carolyn learns more about you, your Photo Collection and your Goals, she takes a personalized and compassionate approach to presenting different options and assist/guide you with making the best decision and next steps.
What do I need to prepare?
Not too much!
I will be asking you to Fill out a Questionairre that I will email to you. This will help me gather a lot of great information to help guide you in your decision of what type of services best fit your needs/wants/goals. Please fill out prior to our CONSULTATION MTG; we will have a chance to discuss more regarding those questions during that meeting.
In a second email, I will give you instruction on the following so I can review the state of your photos
a) gathering all necessary photo sources/materials
b) screen share information so I can eaily see your digital collection
c) a info form for you to fill out to best assist me in the identifying/organizing process step that I will need to review during our Consultation meeting.
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How do I book a session/meeting or just ask a question/Learn More?
Several ways!
a) Go to website page "Contact Us" (insert link) to begin process. You will receive an Email from me within 24b hours to assist you along to process and schedule a Consult meeting
b) Call/Text Carolyn, the Owner directly at 770-312-6905
c) Email Carolyn, the Owner directly at urgetopurgephotos@gmail.com
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What is Screen Sharing?
The screen share is a private meeting. You have to authorize the sharing of your photos on your computer/device screen each time in order for me to access/interact with those photos. You are always able to watch me work and see everything that I do. If at any time you need to close the screen share (to take a Zoom call or pay some bills online), you can! When you close the screen share program, I no longer have access to your computer.
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What if I'm embarassed to show you my mess??
When I say we’ve already seen everything, I mean we’ve seen everything. We’ve had clients with 2k photos on their phone and clients with over 200k. No matter what your current situation is, please don’t feel embarrassed. This is our job! And it gives me such joy to rescue you and your photos and provide you with amazing opportunities to share, going forward.
Photos are kinda private. have you seen....STUFF??
We’ve seen ALL the stuff. Photos of babies being born. Videos of babies being made. Questionable rashes. Plastic surgery. Weight loss photos. More questionable rashes. As we are organizing your photos it’s mostly about software and settings and the technical stuff... we are rarely interacting with full-screen access. We are professionals with a strong Code of Ethics. You can trust me with your Photos/Videos and I guarantee a No-Judgement Professional Business Relationship
How should I ship the stuff so it doesnt get damaged?
I will provide shipping instructions via UPS or Fed EX. Please allow the shipping company professional ship items as they insure their process.
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How long does it take?
Every project is unique, therefore after we determnie your Project Plan according to your needs and goals, I can better estimate the Project timelines . Clients can expect Process Updates from me according to their preference indicated on Intake form
Timing varies based on the following:
a)your current state of organization,
b)the number of photos in your collection,
c)the speed of your computer/internet strength if done at your location,
e)turnaround of Family History worksheet that the client fills out to assist me in the sorting process
f) timely schedulingof follolw up meetings or phonecall returns to keep the porcess moving along
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How much will I need to be available?
Client will need to be available in person or via Video Conference for 60-90 minutes for the Initial Project Session (Not to be confused iwth the Initial Consult meeting).. Final Collection of all remaining forms and Material Exchange Finalization will be completed at this time. If additional time is required, there is a 30 minute overlap window built in. If furthertime is still required, a subsequent meeting will be scheduled wiithin 72 hrs.
Clients can then expect brief Project Process Updates from me according to their preference indicated on Intake form. These can be done in a email or phonecall or via Video Conference call.
A Project Summary/Wrap Up meeting is done for 30-60 minutes towards the end of the project.
And, finally, a Finished Project Delivery Meeting of 30-90 minutes is completed either In Person or via Video Conference Call/Screen Share. During this meeting, final payment will be collected. Client will be provided with Strategies to Maintain their newly organized Photo Collections as needed.. If additional time is required, there is a 30 minute overlap window built in. If further time is still required, a subsequent meeting will be scheduled wiithin 72 hrs. We will also discuss further needs with the hopes of an ongoing working relationship.
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How are the Digital files organized??
I create a digital folder structure that matches your physical organization. For example, if your photos are organized into envelopes labeled by year, I will create digital folders that match those years- each envelope will become its own digital folder.
No organization is required for this project- many clients just send a box of photos!- but any organizing you have, I will match digitally.
Do I get the Photos back?
It’s up to you! On the Project Form you’ll indicate if you want me to return the original items in a seperate box/file in addition to the newly Organized photos. Some clients want to have the original batch returned so they discard it themselves. Other clients prefer I discard the photos. Whatever works best for you!
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What does the finished digital project look like?
Every client’s starting position is unique, but the end result is the same- a central Photo Library that is organized into a simple folder structure and properly backed up to the cloud and on a External Hard Drive/Flashdrive.
The folder system to be used is determined by what best fits the Client. Photos are organized together either :
a)Chronologically into "Year/Month" folders
b) Descriptively per Theme such as "Person", "Holidays", "Events", etc.
c) A Combo of both years and themes (my suggestion)
If you have existing organization in place, I will do my best to keep that intact and merged seamlessly into the final Photo Library.
How do you deliver the digital files?
The newly organized digital files are returned on a External Hard Drive- one is included with each scanning project.. If you’d like additional External Hard Drives/ flash drives (maybe one for every sibling, for example) there is an additional but minimal cost.
I highly recommend as part of a Digital Organizing Serive, that your digital files are set up in a cloud service as a an additiohnal copy for safety
Will I be able to maintain things by myself when are done?
That’s the goal! During the Wrap up meeting/Delivery, I will demonstrate the simple maintenance steps. I will also provide a written maintenance plan Also, I offer Maintenance Sessions if you decide you’d like me to update your library in the future or do some inter
val coaching
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Is our work together confidential?
Absolutely! I abide by the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). Everything you share will be held in strictest confidentiality on my behalf. If you are interested in sharing a testimonial, I will only post or speak of the information that you choose to share with others. Our website also has a link to specific Privacy Policies
Are you insured?
Yes, we maintain a general liability insurance policy.
Is there a travel fee?
Travel is included at no additional cost up to a 60 minute round trip. Additional travel time beyond that distance will be $30 per home visit.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
When you make an appointment with us for a consultation or an organizing session, we reserve that time especially for you. Since that time is held for you, we respectfully ask for a minimum of 24 hours notice if you must cancel an appointment. This courtesy enables us to offer that appointment time to another client. We will attempt to confirm the appointment time with you two days in advance so that you've got plenty of time to let us know if there's been a change in plans. A cancellation fee will be charged to the payment method on file, or against any prepaid plan, for any late cancellations or no-show appointments ($25 for consultation and $100 for organizing sessions). A credit card may be required to book future appointments after cancellation if we do not already have payment information on file.
Does your company adhere to COVID-19 Precautions consistently?
Indeed!! Carolyn has completed a COVID-19 Basics Certificate. She gets tested weekly and has been vaccinated through her Healthcare Worker affiliation. Carolyn and any individual who assists Carolyn will also be wearing face shields and gloves. Further PPE is available upon request.
How do I get started?
Fill out the form on the Contact page and I’ll call you to schedule your Initial Phone Intake and follow up In- Person Assessment. During this free analysis, we’ll spend up to 45 minutes reviewing your area(s) of concern. You’ll tell me about what works and doesn’t work for the space and your preferences. I’ll begin working on a plan to bring peace to your chaos based on your personality, organizational needs, and budget. You will be provided with a Proposal. You can choose to do-it-yourself at this point or we can implement these goals and strategies after signing the Agreement and UTP receives the first down payment of 30%. See “the organization process” on website for more detailed information
If you have other questions that haven’t been answered in this “frequently asked questions” section, or you’d like to set up a Free Consultation via phone, virtual or in person, please call Carolyn Moshier, owner of Urge to Purge at 770-312-6905 or email me at urgetopurgeorganization@gmail.com
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