Start with one trip
Don’t begin by promising to sort every photograph you’ve ever taken. Pick a single weekend, holiday or family occasion. Make a separate backup before moving a large collection, then use the small batch to work out an approach you like.
Use names you will remember
A year and an event name are usually enough: 2026 — beach weekend tells you more than a string of folder numbers. Keep the original files when you edit, and save another version for the crop or color changes. Don’t delete an unfamiliar file until you know what it is.
Choose a few favorites
You may want to keep the whole collection, but a small favorites folder makes it easier to enjoy. Pick the pictures you’d send to a friend or put in a little album. A photo library is more useful when you can find the good moments without scrolling through every near-duplicate.
