Achievable Photo Goals for 2025
As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to set fresh goals… for your photos! Whether you’re tackling the digital clutter on your phone or computer, organizing decades of memories that are in boxes, or creating something special (like a photo book!), setting photo-related goals can be both meaningful and rewarding. I’ll share some practical tips and achievable goals to make 2025 the year you finally take control of your photo collection.
First, let’s talk about the why.
Why set photo goals?
Well, our photos capture the moments that matter the most to us, but just like other aspects in our life, without a plan, it can easily become overwhelming. By setting clear goals, you can:
Preserve important memories for future generations.
Declutter your digital and physical photo libraries.
Create tangible keepsakes, like albums or photo books, that tell your story.
I’m committing to making 2025 the year I organize my own photos as thoroughly as I do my clients’ collections!
So let’s make some goals - I’m in on this too! I have committed 2025 to getting all my digital photos (combining my husband’s photos pre-marriage, my photos through college and post, our photos together when we first got married, and our photos since marriage). Lot’s of “pots” to go through. So let’s do this together.
Dig through your archives: Start by tackling your old digital photos - wherever they may be.
Dedicate 30 minutes a week to sorting through old photos. (I’m going to do this in the evenings 1-2 times per week as work and life allow).
Move all your digital files into the same drive so that they’re all together.
For the photos that are already on your computer, create folders by year, event, or theme for easy access.
Delete duplicates, blurry shots, and screenshots you no longer need. I like to use Photo Sweeper on my Mac, and Duplicate Cleaner Pro on my PC (click the links… not because I get anything, but because it’ll get you to the right programs… there are a lot that seem like the right one, but aren’t).
Back Up Your Memories: A solid backup plan is essential for keeping your memories safe. This year, make it a priority to:
Follow the 3-2-1 backup strategy – meaning 3 copies of your photos, on 2 different types of media, with 1 stored off-site.
Use cloud storage options like iCloud, Dropbox, Mylio or Amazon Photos.
Invest in an external hard drive for additional security.
Schedule monthly or quarterly backups to ensure nothing gets lost.
Frame Your Favorites: Digital photos are convenient, but photos in frames have a special charm. Set a goal to:
Print a few favorites this month to refresh a frame or put on a wall display.
Send new photos to your digital frame. Don’t have a frame yet? Check out Nixplay (might be an affiliate link, although I’m really not sure - I just really love these frames).
Explore creative printing options like canvas or metal prints, calendars, or magnets.
Capture New Memories with Intention: This year, focus on quality over quantity. Try:
Taking fewer photos but being more thoughtful about composition.
Experimenting with new photography styles, like candid shots or close-ups.
Documenting everyday moments, not just big events.
Involve Family and Friends: Make photo projects a collaborative effort. Ideas include:
Creating a shared digital album for family events.
Asking relatives to contribute to a family history project.
Organizing a “memory night” where everyone brings old photos to share stories.
Record a caption for important photos.
The current state of our photos. It’s not terrible, but, it could be better.
This is no small undertaking, but if you keep at it, by the end of 2025, you’ll have a much more cohesive collection. I tell myself, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Things can get overwhelming, but if you keep these tips in mind, you’ll stick with it.
Set small, manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Tell someone you are doing this and maybe they’ll join you in their journey too. Then you can schedule regular check-ins (e.g., monthly or quarterly) to check-in on your progress.
When you complete a task, celebrate and share a long lost photo with friends and family. The excitement you exude will be contagious and they may join in on the fun.
Seek help if needed. I’m here if you need me! might not.
Ready to get started? Share your photo goals in the comments or reach out if you need help making them happen!
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