... Big Picture Scrapbooking ...

You want me to print ALL of my BEST pictures?
The short answer is YES. The longer answer is below.

OK, here's the deal. You aren't going to scrapbook pictures you can't see. As hard as you try, you will lose track and lose touch of older photos as newer ones are taken. When you set up a system of storage binders you set yourself up for success.

Here's why:

You have a reason to print digital pictures that will otherwise get "lost" on your computer.
You have a place to put pictures, as soon as you get them printed. Better yet, you don't have to think too hard about how you will eventually use these pictures, you just slip them in as you get them back, stacking similar photos together in the same pocket (4 to 6 deep.)
You and your family have a place to view un-scrapped photos. This alone removes the guilt associated with pictures not being enjoyed.
Labeled by season and year, storage binders will simplify the task of finding photos chronologically.
Storage binders make it easy for you to safely view and select which of several pictures you will put together on a page. You don't have to remove pictures from an "organized state" before you actually scrapbook them.

Note: It's important to remember that storage binders are working files. Yes, you are filling them up to eventually empty them out - much like you do your pantry. You can't cook with something it if isn't in your cupboard! This means, you should only fill your storage binders with pictures that you feel strongly inclined to scrapbook. You don't have to know exactly how you will use each photo, but you do have to believe each photo is worthy your creative efforts - if not, DO NOT store it away - if you can't THROW it AWAY, then put it aside for cold storage (more information on cold storage in coming lessons)

The Take Away: If you have years of unorganized photos, setting up storage binders will take LOTS of time. This is time well spent. Once you have taken care of a backlog of photos, maintaining your storage binders is quite easy.