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Do you know exactly where the photos from your summer vacation are? Can you easily find the photo of your toddler playing in the kitchen covered in flour? If you have a hard time knowing exactly where photos are on your hard drive, this episode is for you. I talked to Brian Tausend. Brian teaches a course, Lightroom to the Rescue, to help parents learn about organizing your family photos in Lightroom.

First, Brian tells us not to be clever or creative when importing our photos. It’s more important to be consistent. Even if you don’t have a great system, if you are consistent you’re halfway there.

Brian has a secret recipe for organizing photos. First, he lets Lightroom organize his photos by date. Then, he goes back in and renames the folders, leaving the date and adding a simple word that describes what is in the folder. That’s it. Simple, right?

We talk about why having a system when you import your photos saves you time when you want to do creative work. Instead of sitting down and using your creative time and energy looking for where your photos are first, put away your photos in a consistent way. If you have a system when you import your photos, those beauties will be ready when you want to do some editing and sharing.

Brian’s Simple Tips for Parents

1. Get in close. Let them fill the frame and make it clear what your photos is about.

2. If you child is running in and out of different light, find the spot where the light is the best. Get your camera ready for them to play in that wonderful light. Then, when they go into that light, you’re ready.

Connect with Brian

Brian’s next workshop, Lightroom to the Rescue, begins in January. You can start the new year by getting all your family photos organized.

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Next week on TWiP Family: Getting great photos of our kids on Halloween.