What in the world is a Photo Manager?
Whenever someone asks me what I do and I tell them I’m a Photo Manager, they usually respond with interest (“Oh! I could use someone like that!”), but also confusion (“But what in the world is a Photo Manager?!”). So, I thought it would be helpful to share what Photo Managers do and how we can help you with your “photo chaos.”
What exactly is a Professional Photo Manager?
The field of Photo Management is still relatively new, evolving from the quickly changing photo industry which left many people confused and overwhelmed with their growing photo collections. The way we take and store photos has changed so much in the last few decades that you likely have photos in boxes & old albums, digital photos on various devices, home movies on outdated media that you can no longer easily view, and perhaps a general feeling of overwhelm when you think about it all.
Enter the Photo Manager (sometimes called a Photo Organizer or, as I prefer to call myself, a Photo Solutions Specialist). A Photo Manager is a professional skilled in photo organizing and management who can help you make sense and order out of all the photos, videos and memorabilia you have amassed over the years. A Photo Manager has the skills and expertise to consolidate and organize your photo and video collection, set up a backup plan to keep your memories safe, and teach you a maintenance plan for going forward.
Why do I need a Photo Manager?
If you can relate to any of the following statements, you could definitely benefit from the help of a Photo Manager!
I can’t find a photo when I need it
I’m afraid that if I lose my phone, all of my photos will be lost too
I think I’ve backed up my photos but I’m not really sure where they are
I want to organize my photos but I never have time
I want to organize my photos but I don’t know where to start
I can’t keep up with the technology and all the options for photo storage
I feel guilty that I never made a baby album for my child who is now age 5, 15, 25….
I have albums from the 1990s or earlier that are falling apart and the pictures are fading
I’ve inherited family photos from previous generations and I don’t know what to do with them
I have videotapes, slides or other media that I haven’t viewed in 20+ years, with no way of viewing them anymore
I want to make a photo book, slide show or fun photo gift for my family or friends but don’t know where to start
If you are experiencing any of this, know that, (1) you are not alone, and (2) a Photo Manager can help! Not only will a Photo Manager help you find your photos again, but you also get the peace of mind that your important memories are finally organized and safely backed up.
How can a Photo Manager help me?
Photo Managers offer a wide variety of services such as organizing printed and digital photos, scanning, digitizing videos, setting up backup systems, software training, photo restoration and creating photo books and gifts. At Infinity Photo Solutions, our goal is to provide solutions for our clients and their varied photo and memorabilia collections, so we offer a full range of these services.
At Infinity Photo Solutions we pride ourselves in staying up-to-date on the quickly changing technology in the photo organizing field by researching different photo management and cloud-based programs, attending professional photo management conferences, and actively participating in trainings and meetings with The Photo Managers (formerly the Association of Personal Photo Organizers, or APPO). Staying current in our field and knowing what companies you can trust with your photos, coupled with our dedication to helping others and preserving memories, helps us to deliver great service to our clients.
How do I find a Photo Manager?
When hiring a Photo Manager, it’s important to find a good fit. This person will be working with your personal photo collection so you should feel comfortable with the individual and the working relationship. You can learn a lot about a Photo Manager by researching their website. What services do they offer? Some offer a full range of photo organizing services and others specialize in a select few. Does the Photo Manager have proven skills and longevity in the business? Professional certifications? This can help you zero in on professionals rather than hobbyists. Be sure to schedule a consultation to get to know the Photo Manager and determine if their services and processes are a good fit. You might even ask for references to speak with former clients.
I am proud to be a Certified Photo Manager with The Photo Managers, which means I have proven my expertise through advanced coursework and client recommendations, demonstrated technical proficiency in my field, and I have agreed to The Photo Managers’ Best Practices and Code of Ethics. You can find other Photo Managers by areas of expertise and geography on The Photo Managers website (click on “Hire a Pro”). Infinity Photo Solutions serves the Northern Virginia/DC/Maryland area, but we also work remotely, so we have served clients all over the country! Visit our website at www.infinityphotosolutions.com to learn more about us, and contact us if you would like to schedule a complimentary phone consultation.
Hopefully, this helps you understand a little more about what Photo Managers do, and how working with a Photo Manager can help you gain control of your photos and memorabilia and preserve them for future generations.
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