How to Simply Store Large Amounts of Digital Image Files and freebies!


I was asked last week how I store my large collection of digital files.  I thought some of my readers might also be interested.  As a Caveat, My I.T. Husband says this is not a good way to do it. Hmm, well it is the only way I have done it since 1997.  Back then I used a Mac os and a Microsoft os - which may explain why I do it this way. Well, that is my story and I am sticking to it.


All of my images are cataloged, I stay on top of this system.  I save all my images to my desktop and from there I  filter it into my "stamp volumes"

I keep master folders on the desktop:



Here I have the two master files and one for my Gecko Galz images.  Normally this would stay in the Digital by theme, I'm leaving it out now because I am working on  product sample for the company, easy in and out

Here is a peek inside my 'Theme Volume', basically these are in order by companies.



Here in the Digital stamps are my images by subject: this is very efficient - sort of, inside each of these subfolders are anywhere from 50-500 more images.  The last time I counted I had over 400,000 cataloged digital stamps.  Now a word in my defense - this collection stared in 1995 when I first began making my own digitals and using them in AmiPro ( there is a blast from the past)  we're talking Windows 3.0 and floppy disks.  I managed to save this collection for 23 years because I am diligent about backing up.  If you aren't in the habit of backing up,  PLEASE  start today!



same info but in the small icon view sometimes this works better for me.



In one of the  "Themed" folders:


and then in one of those folders




So do I know everything that I have? No way, but I have a very good idea and I know where to look to see if I do already have an image. I do have a good memory and after cultivating this for 23 years I can find things I need pretty easily.   A word on curating your collections - you really, really need to curate what you own, whether it is in digi form or rubber.  Buying something is a great waste and it usually means you haven't even used the one you already owned. 

I hope you found this helpful in wrangling your digi files and  I do have a freebie image for you ( how could I not? Here are several ladies for you paper crafting



Thanks for stopping by,
Ginny M

Comments

I'm overwhelmed with your organization. I can see the value of what you've done.
Crystal Komara said…
Wow, Ginny, I had no idea you had so many digital images and dating back for long before I knew they existed. You never cease to amaze me with your organization and knowledge of EVERYTHING!
Christine said…
Thank you for this post. I store all my files in much the same way, backed up on an external hd. I thought it was very efficient as I have always believed that the pc only notes the number of folders not their size when measuring storage......certainly better than hard copy! lol
Christine said…
Thank you for this post. I store all my files in much the same way, backed up on an external hd. I thought it was very efficient as I have always believed that the pc only notes the number of folders not their size when measuring storage......certainly better than hard copy! lol
Thank you for sharing this - I have my images stored on an external hd, but I really ought to think about replacing that and copying the images as it is getting old (in IT standards)...
Thank you for the freebies
Blessings
Maxine

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