Not at all. Each phase stands on its own.

Some clients finish Phase 1 and feel a wave of relief — everything is safe, consolidated, and organized by date. That's enough for them. Others go all the way through Phase 3 and end up with a beautiful private website the whole family loves.

You decide what's right for you. And if you want to add more phases down the road? We'll be here. The only thing to know is that the phases do need to be completed in order.

Every collection is different, so we'll give you a personalized timeline once we've had a look at yours.

Generally speaking, Phase 1 can take anywhere from one week to several weeks, depending on how many sources you have. Phase 2 takes the most time; all that careful sorting and tagging can span several weeks to a few months for large collections. Phase 3 typically wraps up within one to two weeks after Phase 2 is complete.

No surprises. We'll keep you informed every step of the way.

Digital videos are treated just like digital photos throughout all three phases — gathered in Phase 1, organized and tagged in Phase 2, and shared on your website in Phase 3.

We also offer separate scanning services for physical media such as print photos, albums, and memorabilia, and conversion services for older video formats like VHS, MiniDV, and camcorder tapes, since they are not included in the digital organizing service.

Many clients have us scan their printed photos first, then fold everything into one unified digital archive. One complete collection — print and digital, all in one place. We call that a Legacy Collection.

Phase 1 (Preserve) is a flat fee of $3,000 for up to 300,000 photos and videos. If you have more than 300,000, we'll talk about additional pricing. No hourly billing. No surprises.

Phase 2 (Cherish) is customized to your collection. After Phase 1, we'll sit down together, walk through what you have, and give you a detailed estimate. Our standard rate is $100/hour.

Phase 3 (Celebrate) is $500, plus SmugMug's annual subscription (about $150/year).

One of the things clients love most about our phased approach? You can spread the investment over time. Start when you're ready, and add the next phase when it feels right.

Think of Phase 1 as us handling everything you've been putting off for years — finally.

We're not just copying files from one folder to another. We use specialized software and 15 years of expertise to track down hidden files, untangle technical messes, and identify and delete tens of thousands of duplicates. It's meticulous, detail-oriented work — and it creates a solid foundation for everything that comes next.

In Phase 2, we add the story behind the photos. The names, the places, the moments that matter most to you. That takes time — and care.

In Phase 3, your photos and videos become easily shareable with your entire family.

Your memories deserve both.

Absolutely. We treat your photos like the irreplaceable treasures they are.

We always work with copies — never your originals. Your devices never leave our care, and your photos are never shared with anyone or used for any purpose other than your project. While we're working, everything is backed up to our secure internal network.

Your completed collection will be delivered on a USB thumb drive — included in your Phase 1 investment. Prefer an external hard drive? We can do that for an additional fee. Want extra copies for family members? We can take care of that, too.