4 Ways to Enjoy Your Photos
Marie Kondo, the author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy, admits that the process of sorting photos with her family was the project that brought her the most joy. She highly recommends viewing pictures together as a family to encourage story-telling. Even the expert of decluttering realizes how important our personal photo collections are!
Research in psychology shows time and again that investing in making happy memories with the family has a positive return on investment. Children and even us grown-up children will draw on a bank of positive memories to help cope with more stressful or turbulent times. When families revisit memories with loved ones through photographs, bonds are strengthened, relationships deepen, and memory improves. It is also just plain fun to look back at the way things used to be, as time was passing before you realized it, as the children grew overnight, as traditions were practiced over the years.
Here are 4 ways to spark joy in your family:
Create Photo Albums: Printed photo books, scrapbooks, and photo albums don’t rely on technology to be enjoyed. You don’t need an internet connection, and you won’t need to migrate them to a new format to view them fifty years from now. When you combine images and words into a documentary-like narrative, you are creating a historical record for future generations with stories that you can celebrate and enjoy today.
Video Slide Shows: When you combine photos, videos, oral narratives, and music into a slideshow or montage, you create a living album filled with emotion and fun. Try adding music or oral stories or both, and the result is a living album filled with movement and sound that triggers your senses. Slideshows are a great option for family gatherings, special events, and celebrations. And they can be a fun option to enjoy on family movie night. Popcorn, PJs, and precious family memories—can it get any better than that?
Wall Galleries: Are you looking for instant gratification while you work on that family archive or photo album? Decorate your home with the people you love! While you organize photos, you’ll come across pictures that are too good to keep hidden. Look for frame-worthy images that you can display on walls or turn into photo gifts for others.
Digital Photo Frames: This is an excellent choice for technology-challenged family members. This plug-and-play way to display image slideshows is perfect for people who want a quick, easy way to showcase their memories.
If you need help or more ideas, check out, Photo Organizing Made Easy; Going from Overwhelmed to Overjoyed.
Cathi Nelson is the founder of APPO (Association of Professional Photo Organizers), a membership organization dedicated to helping thousands of entrepreneurs from around the globe build successful photo preservation and organizing businesses.
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