How to Clean Up Your Camera Roll Without Deleting a Single Photo

Let’s face it. Your camera roll is filled with junk. Photos of parking lots, last night’s dessert, that funny meme from your BFF, all pictures that can be (and should be) deleted.

But what if I told you there is a way to clean up your camera roll without deleting a single shot?

The secret is being proactive. Stop taking so many pictures! Now hear me out. I’m not saying don’t pull out your phone to capture a special memory. Instead, I encourage you to be thoughtful about what you are taking photos of and how many.

I recently spoke with a client on the morning of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. We were catching up, and she said, “I just took so many photos of the funeral, and I don’t even know why!” Sure enough, I opened her Library, and there were at least 40 shots of the funeral on her television. Sigh…

I see so many people who fill up their camera roll with so many photos every month that it’s easy to see why we get so overwhelmed by them all.

The Tale of Too Many Photos

Let’s take the example of Mary. Mary takes well over 1000 photos a month of her three children, even more in months with birthdays or holidays. Frequently she takes 10-15 photos of the same thing, like her daughter’s lost tooth. What would happen if she only took 1 or 2 photos of that cute snaggletoothed grin?

Let’s do the math.

2 is X% of 15 = 13%, so by taking two photos instead of 15, Mary has reduced her photo volume by 87%!

13 photos may not sound like a big deal but let’s look at the long-term math. Remember that our photos are here for the long haul, and one day your kids will inherit them.

Mary takes an average of 1,000 photos a month from age 25 until 45 when her kids go to college. At the age of 25, she already has 25,000 photos on her camera roll.

1000 photos x 12 months = 12,000/per year

12,000 photos a year x 20 years = 240,000 photos between ages 25 and 45

Between the ages of 45 and 75, let’s say she takes an average of 300 photos each month (although it’s probably higher once the grandkids are born).

300 photos x 12 months = 3,6000/per year

3,600 photos a year x 30 years = 108,000 photos between ages 45 and 75

In her lifetime, Mary has taken 373,000 photos

25,000 – up until age 25

240,000 photos between 25 and 45

108,000 photos between 45 and 75

What do you think her kids will do with 373,000 photos when they inherit them? They probably will shake their heads, become very overwhelmed, and walk away. It’s because of clients like Mary that photo organizers like me have job security.

Have more with less

So what’s the super secret, proactive trick?

Be satisfied with 1 or 2 photos of a moment, whether they are perfect or not. Don’t whip out your phone to snap photos of a football game on TV. Maybe keep your phone in your pocket (gasp!) and be content to live the moment instead of trying to capture it in a photo.

That sunset is as beautiful in your mind’s eye as on your phone and probably even better in real life.

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If you want to work with a photo organizer near you to help you organize and preserve your photos, contact us or visit The Photo Managers to find one in your area.

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