Common DIY Photo Organizing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

You finally decide it’s time to tackle those boxes of old family photos. You pull out the scanner or your phone, determined to preserve your memories before they fade. But a few hours later, the images look off, the files are scattered everywhere, and the project feels endless.

You’re not alone. Digitizing and organizing photos is trickier than it seems. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when scanning or organizing their own photo collections, and how to get better results.

1. Scanning at Too Low a Resolution

Many scanners default to 300 dpi or less, which can make prints look grainy or limit what you can do with them later.

Try this: For long-term preservation, scan at 600 dpi or higher. That way, you can reprint, crop, or zoom in on details without losing quality.

2. Skipping the Cleaning Step

Dust, fingerprints, and lint might not look like much at first, but once scanned, they show up as permanent specks.

Try this: Wipe the scanner glass gently with a microfiber cloth, and handle photos by the edges or wear gloves. If the prints are dusty, lightly brush them off with a photo safe brush or cloth before scanning.

3. Cropping or Scanning at an Angle

When you’re batch scanning, it’s easy to cut off edges or tilt photos without noticing.

Try this: Leave a little border around each photo and check your preview before scanning. You can always crop later, but you can’t restore what’s missing.

4. Not Naming or Organizing Files

After hours of work, you end up with hundreds of files named Scan001.jpg. It’s overwhelming.

Try this: Rename or group files as you go. Even simple folders like “Family Trips” or “Grandma’s Albums” make a huge difference when you want to find something later.

5. Ignoring Faded Color and Contrast

Old photos often turn yellow or lose contrast, and some scanning apps make them look worse.

Try this: Use basic editing tools to brighten and color-correct after scanning. Or, if you’re unsure, keep the raw scans and adjust them later in a photo editor.

6. Mixing Up Originals

It’s easy to lose track of which photo came from which album or envelope, especially if you’re scanning in batches.

Try this: Work in small groups, and jot down notes or use sticky tabs so you can put things back where they belong.

7. Underestimating the Time It Takes

Even one shoebox can mean hours of scanning and sorting and that’s before organizing and backing everything up.

Try this: Pace yourself. Set a realistic goal, or consider having part of the project professionally scanned so you can focus on the stories and memories.

Need a Hand?

If your DIY project has stalled, or if you’re not thrilled with how your scans turned out, we can help. Our team digitizes and organizes photo collections safely and beautifully, using archival-quality methods that protect your originals and make your digital files easy to navigate. Contact us at 206-679-3410 or studio@signaturephotoorganizing.com for your free consultation.