Hi Reader,

Ever feel like your photo collection is less of a “project” and more of a full-on flood? Like you’re paddling through boxes and hard drives and framed prints with no idea where to start?

You’re not alone.

When I talk to people about organizing their photos, the most common word I hear is: overwhelm. They don’t know what’s important. They don’t feel confident with the tech. They don’t even know where to start.

It feels like drowning.

And yet—this project can be done. It just requires a shift in how you think about it.

Most people treat photo organizing like a quick task. A short-term goal. But the truth? It’s a long-term project. It takes time, planning, and perseverance — often 3 to 4 years, or more.

And that’s okay. Because once you accept that this isn’t a weekend job, you can actually breathe. You can stop panicking about finishing and start focusing on starting.

Here’s how to begin pulling yourself out of the overwhelm:

Know Your Why

This is the anchor that keeps you steady. What’s your core reason for wanting to organize your photos? Is it to create gifts? Leave a legacy? Make sense of your memories? Write it down. Make it visible. Come back to it often. 👉 Article: 6 Important Reasons to Stop Ignoring Your Photo and Memory Collection​

Picture the Finish Line

What do you want to see in your home or your hands? Framed prints? Finished albums? A digital archive that’s easy to search? Create a vision — even a literal vision board if that helps. 👉 Article: 6 Easy Steps to Create Your Photo Management Plan for Organizing Family Pictures​

Break It Down

I use a 3-part system to simplify the process:

• Envision – Plan your project
• Archive – Do the actual sorting, scanning, preserving
• Showcase – Share and enjoy your photos in meaningful ways Each stage can be broken into small, doable steps. 👉 Article: How to Organize Family Photos with My Amazing Photo Organization Quiz​

Make a Plan You Can Actually Keep

Instead of rigid deadlines, try habits.

• “I’ll scan one envelope a day.”
• “I’ll organize digital folders for 15 minutes a night.”
• “I’ll attend a WorkRoom once a month.”

Whatever your rhythm is — stick with it. 👉 The Planning Power Pack can help you get all this set up (and see the PS below for how to get it for free)

Try the Thing You’re Avoiding

So many people tell me they hesitated to join a WorkRoom — worried they wouldn’t get anything done. But once they show up? They’re shocked by how much they accomplish. There’s something powerful about quiet accountability and knowing others are doing the work right alongside you. 👉 Learn more about the WorkRooms here.​

Get Support

Whether it’s a one-on-one Strategy Session, the ongoing community inside the Family Photo Keeper Academy, or just a trusted friend who checks in on your progress… You don’t have to do this alone. 👉 Book your free Strategy Session Here​

Since launching the Academy in 2022, I’ve supported hundreds of photo keepers through this work. Some of our founding members have now been at it for 3.5 years — and they’re finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. 👉 Learn more about the Academy here.​

Celebrate Small Wins

Keep a tracker. Mark your progress. Celebrate even the smallest milestones. Because this isn’t about finishing quickly — it’s about staying with it long enough to finish at all. 👉 Get my free planner/tracker here.​

You’re not lazy. You’re not behind. You’re just human. And this work is hard — until it’s not.

So if you’ve been feeling underwater… Maybe today’s the day to stop treading water — and take one small stroke forward.

Warmly,

Fancy

PS - Today, 7/31, is the last day to sign up for the free Best Summer Ever Bundle. You'll have another couple of weeks to download what you want, but only if you have signed up by today. And you can get my Planning Power Pack for free in this bundle!

How I Can Help You

• Take the Free Quiz and get a personalized score and and organized list of resources.
• ​Free Subscriber Resource Library - all my freebies in one place.
• ​Free 5-day Email Challenge to create your personalized photo management plan.
• ​Everything Page - Every freebie, every product, every service. Everything.
• If you'd like to receive reminders of the Memory Maker Meetups and Co-Working Workrooms about 1 week before each one, click here. This does not obligate you to attend - it just sends you dates and times and the link to register.

I help overwhelmed family photo keepers become memory preservation masters so they can enjoy their memories now and leave meaningful collections for future generations.

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