Simplify Your Photo & Memorabilia Organizing with Three Easy Categories
Sorting through a pile of photos and memorabilia can feel overwhelming, but a structured organizing system makes all the difference! If you’re ready to declutter and bring order to your collection, try categorizing your items into three key groups: Cherish, Cull, and Consider.
Cherish: Preserve What Matters
Cherish are the photo that you want to keep, possibly forever. Start by gathering these, don’t take time to process any you don’t want to keep. Focus on the keepsakes and sentimental items that truly bring you joy—the ones that hold precious memories and deserve a dedicated storage solution. Whether they belong in an archival-quality photo album, a decorative frame, or a digital archive, these are the pieces that tell your story. Some may even become heirlooms passed down for generations.
Cull: Let Go of the Clutter
As a native Texan who lives and organizes homes in Louisville, KY, I realize that “culling” is not as common here, but I find it helpful. To cull is to reduce the size of (in this case your photo collection) so it can be managed and ENJOYED. Not every photo is worth keeping. Blurry shots, duplicates, poor-quality images, and cluttered visuals take up valuable space. And all those landscape pics from when we developed ALL 36 images, as well as the photos of people we don’t recognize. It’s okay to edit your collection by culling anything that doesn’t add value or joy
However, when decluttering photos, it will save you SO MUCH TIME if you pull out the photos you CHERISH, but leave the rest where they are. Then, when you have finished looking through one album or one photo box or one set of framed pics, etc., and you have already saved the photos you cherish, you can simply discard the rest. And that may sound harsh - to toss an entire album, but discarding helps make room for the memories that matter most. So, if you don’t CHERISH to photo, leave it where is it and declutter the entire CULL category when you are finished with the time you have set aside that day to organize your photos.
Consider: The “Maybe” Pile
Some items may not fit neatly into the “cherish/keep” or “cull/toss” categories. YOu may need more time to consider whether or not to keep them. The “consider” category may include photos you think a family member may want. They may also provide historical context, capture additional details, or need further review. A great photo organizing strategy is to store these separately and revisit them later with a fresh perspective. Over time, you’ll gain clarity on what’s truly worth keeping.
Photo Organization is a Process—Take Your Time!
The key to effective memorabilia organizing is to take it step by step. Set small, manageable goals and, if needed, consult a professional organizer to help create a customized system for storing and displaying your memories.
By following the Cherish, Cull, and Consider method, you’ll transform a chaotic photo collection into a thoughtfully curated archive of treasured moments.
If you need expert organizing help, don't hesitate to reach out. Visit pinkyjackson.com to schedule a free assessment. We would love to help you with our Onsite Organizing services if you are in the Louisville, KY area or our Virtual Organizing services if you are more remote or prefer to work online.
Pinky Jackson is an Organizing Expert and Decluttering Specialist. She and her team organize homes & small businesses in Louisville, KY. For more information about Pinky’s pricing & services or to schedule your free assessment, go topinkyjackson.com
Photo: Jupiter Images @photoimages
