Article Updated: October 24th, 2016; My Photo workflow has not changed but some of me gear has.

I take a lot of photos. In fact, I take photos pretty much every day. It’s easy for the amount of photos to become overwhelming. It took me  a few years to really get a grasp on how I want to organize them and keep them ready for editing. Now that I have a plan, I have implemented it on my current photos and am slowly going back to my older photos so that some day, every thing will be consistent.

First, let’s talk about what cameras I shoot with, then we’ll delve into how those get organized. I am including links to Amazon so you can check out some of the cameras yourself along with the reviews. I am an affiliate with Amazon which means that if you see something shiny and interesting while you are over there, I may get a small commission from the purchase. If you aren’t in need of anything, I recommend going over with the firm thought to just focus on each of the cameras and the reviews. It helps me to have a goal in mind when I visit Amazon.

The Photo Gear I was Using in 2014

My primary camera is a Canon Powershot 130IS. It’s a point and shoot digital camera with some of the features of an DSLR. I like that it’s compact enough to fit in my purse. I take it everywhere with me.  The camera that is used almost as much is on my Samsung Galaxy Tablet. It’s not as good as the DSLR but it does pretty well.

Last year, I became interested in Analog Photography. My son and I built a Twin Lens Reflex Camera model which actually works. I adore this camera and use it at least once a week. This camera takes dreamy style photos and is wonderful for getting double exposure shots.

I use the Pop 9 on the occasions when I want some supporting repeat photos. I also use it for interesting photos to add to my PL spreads. The Pop 9 has nine lenses and takes 9 identical photos which appear as a collage on 1 print.

The Fuji Instax Mini 8 is a camera I am still getting to know. I don’t use it often. I would like to use it more, but I feel like it should be pulled out for trips or special occasions.

I purchase disposable waterproof film cameras from time to time. I take them with me to the pool, the beach or to water parks. I could get a protective case for my digital camera, however, I just feel better about using the disposable. I don’t need to worry about it. If it breaks it’s no big deal. These take wonderful underwater shots.

The Photo Gear I Use in 2016

I use the following cameras in addition to the cameras mentioned above. I love collecting camera bodies and hope to add to my analog collection.

Earlier this year, I once again found a need for a smart phone. I chose the Galaxy Note 5 because I wanted the option to jot notes down without bringing a pad of paper in my purse. I love the phone and have had no issues with it. The stunning photos are a bonus although, for some shots, I still rely on my Canon Powershot 130 IS.

I enjoy instant prints but felt I needed a camera with a little more control. I chose a Lomo Instant for that reason. There are a few SLR style instant cameras out there, but this one was the best for my budget. I can easily take dual exposures and I can control the lighting and flash much better than I can with the Instax Mini 8.

My PhotoWorkflow from Camera to PC

Once I have shot my photos, I import them to my lap top. With the digital camera, it’s easy to do. I use Drop Box to automatically import any photos taken by my tablet. I make sure to clear drop box out once a month. The analog prints take a little more effort. I get them processed at a local one hour photo lab. I then need to scan them so that I have a saved digital print in case something happens to the original. I will use the original photo on my layouts. I don’t edit the analog prints very often. Analog film prints have a unique feel to them. Often, people try to edit their photos to achieve the look that an analog print has. If you have used instagram, for example, chances are you have used a filter. Most filters are based upon effects achieved with analog cameras.

Digital prints are edited in Photoshop. I use PSE 12 with the Totally Rad Labs application to edit all of my digital prints. I am becoming a better photographer. However, When I first started shooting, I made a lot of mistakes. I still want to use those prints I took when my son was younger, so I use PSE and Rad Lab to compensate for my early errors.

I store my photos in folders with the following flow: year, month, day or theme, then single photos. I have begun to write journaling in the names and data associated with those pictures. Writing the journaling helps when it comes time to create a scrapbook layout. Once I create a layout, I add the word ” scrapped” to the folder. I am less likely to scrapbook an event twice unless I purposefully choose to do so.

Not all of my photos are labeled in this way. I only began using this system fully last year. So I go through and work on older files in short spurts. Relabeling all of the older files would feel daunting. Working on a few at a time each week makes it feel like a more doable project.

Having an established photo work flow makes it easy for me to store and then scrapbook my stories. Do you have an established work flow for your photos?