We take thousands of photos each year, yet so many of them end up forgotten—buried in camera rolls, lingering in cloud storage, or stuck in digital purgatory. But organizing your photos doesn’t have to be a massive project. It can be a small, intentional ritual—one that helps you reconnect with what matters and bring a little order and beauty to the stories you’ve captured.
That’s something Krista Kowalczyk knows well. A professional photo organizer who has helped thousands of people protect and preserve their most meaningful memories, Krista has been featured on Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show for her incredible work restoring family photographs damaged in Hurricane Ian. She reminded us of something essential: photo organizing isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about protecting what matters.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, it really hit me: organizing your photos isn’t just about convenience, it’s about protection,” Krista shared. “After losing everything, people said it was the loss of their personal photographs that hurt the most.”
So how do you start without getting overwhelmed? Whether you’re sorting through thousands of digital files or boxes of prints, here are a few small, doable practices that can make a big difference.
Start with the photos you’re taking now
Instead of diving into your full archive, begin with what’s fresh. “If you are just starting out with a new routine, just focus on the pictures you are taking now,” says Krista. “You can always go back later to clean up older photos. Having a routine in place now will mean everything going forward will always be neat.”
Every few days, scroll through your recent photos. Favorite the ones that spark something and gently delete the rest—like blurry shots, screenshots, or near-duplicates. It takes just a minute, but it helps keep your library manageable over time.
Create a “To Print” Album
As you go, start collecting your favorite photos into a dedicated album. These are the images you’d want to frame, revisit, or share—the keepers. Adding to this album regularly makes printing feel easy and enjoyable, instead of like a big once-a-year project.
At Mootsh, that rhythm is what we’re all about—printing a little each month so it stays simple and never overwhelming. It’s a small ritual that turns your memories into something tangible and lasting.
Back up what matters (in more than one place)
Krista’s experience with Hurricane Ian showed just how fragile our photos—digital and printed—can be. “A digital copy of a print, stored in multiple safe places, can prevent a painful, permanent loss,” she says. Whether it’s using cloud storage, an external hard drive, or printing your most meaningful photos, the key is having backups.
Let your photos live in the open
Printed photos bring warmth and connection into our spaces. But so often, they get tucked away. Find ways to keep your memories visible—on a wall, in a frame, or stored in a Mootsh Box you can pull off the shelf anytime.
Take it one small step at a time
“Having too many photos is actually a beautiful problem to have,” Krista says. “It means you’ve lived a full life, captured special moments, and surrounded yourself with people and places that matter.”
So don’t let the volume hold you back. Start with a single month. Or one box. Or even just today. “Set small goals, give yourself plenty of grace, and even add a reward at the end—like a framed photo or a photo book you’ll actually enjoy. You don’t need to be perfectly organized—you just need to start.”
A Little Goes a Long Way
Spring cleaning your photo collection isn’t about catching up on every photo you’ve ever taken. It’s about creating space—physically and emotionally—for the moments that matter most. They’re already here. You just have to make room for them.
If you’d like to learn more about Krista’s work after Hurricane Ian and her tips for keeping photos safe, check out her book Beyond the Storm. She also offers courses and workshops with simple methods to help you protect and organize your photos. You can find all the details on her website www.thekristak.com
