Your photos are not lost.
They are just everywhere.
Digital Organization · Playa Vista Studio
The photo you are looking for is in there somewhere.
Most of our clients come to us with 5,000 to 15,000 printed photos. Their digital collection is a different story.
We typically see 50,000 files or more, scattered across old phones, laptops, external drives, and several cloud accounts. Once every duplicate is counted, many collections run into the millions.
Finding it is the hard part.
The real work is in the dates.
Phones, cameras, scanners, and cloud platforms all stamp a date on your files. Over the years, many of those dates get lost or changed. Every collection we receive has files with the wrong date or no date at all.
We find them and correct them in the metadata, not just in the file name. That way, wherever you upload your collection, it appears in the right order and stays sortable and searchable for years to come.
Because every file carries the right date, we can bring your digital photos together with your scanned prints and transferred home movies. The result is one Family Photo Archive, in order, in one place.
Our Process
From scattered to searchable.
Gather
We collect your photos and videos from every device, computer, camera, and cloud account.
Remove duplicates
We merge everything and remove the copies.
Put it in order
We sort your collection chronologically.
Curate
We take out the blurry shots, accidental screenshots, and near-identical frames.
Tag
We add keywords for the people, places, and events that matter to your family.
Fix the dates
We go back to every file with a missing or wrong date and correct it in the metadata.
Rename
Every file gets a consistent, readable name.
Protect
We set you up with a reliable backup system so your collection stays safe.
50,000+
files in a typical digital collection
Millions
in some collections, before duplicates come out
One
archive, in date order, from every device and account
Delivery
How you will enjoy your collection
Once your collection is curated and in order, we deliver it the way you want to use it:
- On a hard drive, in a clear folder structure you can browse yourself
- On FOREVER, the archive platform we recommend for long-term storage and sharing
- On a custom family website built on SmugMug, which your relatives can visit from anywhere
Picturli is a FOREVER Ambassador and may earn a commission if you purchase through our link.
Many families choose a combination. We also make sure your collection lives on a platform with facial recognition, so you can pull up photos of any family member in moments. Watch a sample of a family website below.
Every collection is different. The best place to start is a conversation.
Book a ConsultationQuestions
Digital organization FAQ
Which devices and accounts do you work with?
Computers (Mac and Windows), phones, tablets, cameras, external hard drives, and memory cards. We also work with cloud accounts such as iCloud, Google Photos, Amazon Photos, Dropbox, and Shutterfly. See the full list of formats and platforms.
Do I need to hand over my devices?
No, unless you would like to. We can work remotely on your computer, often with an external drive you purchase for your project. We can pick up your devices from you. Or we can walk you through gathering your photos yourself. We will recommend the best option for your collection.
I do not know where all my photos are. Can you still help?
Yes. That is very common, and it is why gathering is our first step. We help you track down old devices and accounts. If you have lost access to one, we can help you reset passwords and recover logins.
Should I delete or sort anything before you start?
Please do not. Duplicates, screenshots, and oddly named files all give us clues about where a photo came from and when it was taken. Leave everything as it is and we will take it from there. You are welcome to mark favorites on your phone, but it is not required.
Why not just use Apple Photos or Google Photos?
Those apps can do part of the work, and they are wonderful for viewing your photos. But curating tens of thousands of files takes time that busy families rarely have. The apps also sort by the date stored in each file. When that date is missing or wrong, the photo lands in the wrong place. We fix those dates, so every app you use shows your collection in the right order.
What happens to the photos you remove?
During curation, we take out blurry shots, accidental photos, screenshots, and near-identical frames. If you would like them back, we set them aside and return them to you.
Will you change my original photos?
Never. We do not edit your original images in any way. The only changes we make are to the information stored with each file: its date, its keywords, and its name.
Who works on my collection, and how do you protect my privacy?
Only our own team, every member personally vetted by me. I am a member of NAPO and a Certified Professional Photo Manager. Your files are stored on encrypted drives, no one outside our studio has access to your collection, and we are happy to sign an NDA at your request.
Will you help me back up my collection?
Yes. We follow the 3-2-1 method: three copies of your collection, on two types of storage, with one kept off site. We set this up with you before your project closes. Read more about the 3-2-1 method.
How much does it cost, and how long does it take?
Every project is priced individually, based on the size of your collection and how many places it lives. We begin with a deposit, which reserves your place and covers our initial review. From there, we prepare a detailed proposal with an estimated timeline, so you know the full scope before any work begins.
What happens when I keep taking photos?
Organization is not a finish line. Your collection will keep growing after we deliver it. When you are ready, we can add your new photos to your archive using the same system, so it never drifts back to where it started.
Get Started
Your family's photos deserve to be found.
Book a complimentary consultation, and we will walk you through what your collection needs.
Book a Consult