At the end of every month, most of us have hundreds, sometimes thousands, of new photos sitting on our phones, memory cards, or even old cameras. From family dinners to vacations to everyday moments, those pictures tell your story. But here’s the truth: unless you have a system, those memories can easily get lost, deleted, or buried so deep in your photo roll that you never see them again.

That’s why I recommend setting up a monthly photo routine—a quick, simple process to protect your memories and make sure they’re always ready for your albums.

Step 1: Collect and Transfer

At the end of each month, gather your photos from every device:

• Your phone

• Digital cameras

• Memory cards

• Shared family photo albums

Transfer them to your computer so everything lives in one place. This ensures no memory gets left behind on a forgotten SD card or old phone.

Step 2: Clean Out the Clutter

Let’s be real—we don’t need every photo. Delete the blurry shots, duplicates, or screenshots that don’t matter. Think of it as curating your story: you’re keeping the moments that matter most.

Step 3: Choose Your Favorites

Pick the photos that tell the best parts of your month. These are the ones you’ll want to print, scrap, or share. If you scrapbook, this step makes planning your next pages or albums much easier.

Step 4: Back Them Up with FOREVER®

Here’s the step most people skip—and it’s the most important. Storing your photos on your phone or computer isn’t enough. Devices break. Free apps can shut down or change policies. And cloud storage often comes with hidden costs or limited space.

That’s why I recommend FOREVER® Storage. Unlike other platforms, FOREVER® is guaranteed permanent photo storage—your photos are safe, private, and accessible for generations to come. It’s like creating a digital vault for your memories, one that you control (not an app company).

With FOREVER®, you can:

• Upload your photos once and know they’re protected for life.

• Organize albums by event, month, or theme.

• Share albums with friends and family.

• Rest easy knowing your stories won’t disappear.

Step 5: Add Stories and Memorabilia

Photos are powerful, but they’re even better when paired with the little extras—like journal notes, ticket stubs, letters, or kid’s artwork. Gather these pieces at the end of each month and keep them with your photos. When you’re ready to scrapbook, you’ll have everything at your fingertips.

And if you need a place to store and organize memorabilia, Creative Memories has beautiful and practical storage options designed specifically for scrapbookers. From totes to organizers, you can explore them here: Creative Memories Storage Solutions.

Why a Monthly Routine Matters

Doing this monthly keeps your photo collection manageable and stress-free. No more digging through thousands of random shots at the end of the year. Instead, your photos will be:

• Organized

• Backed up

• Ready to print or scrapbook

• Preserved for future generations

And the best part? You’ll actually use your photos instead of letting them sit forgotten in digital limbo.

Your photos aren’t just pictures, they’re your life story. By taking a few minutes at the end of each month to sort, back up, and preserve them (especially with FOREVER®), you’re making sure those stories will be enjoyed for decades to come.

At The Scrapping Studio, we believe memories deserve more than storage—they deserve preservation. Ready to learn more about FOREVER® storage and how it can safeguard your photos? Email me at [email protected].