How to Archive Your Wedding and Family Photos

One of the most common questions I hear from my former wedding and family portrait clients is, “How can we preserve our precious photos?”

I’m thrilled to share that my good friend Jennings King, a former professional photographer who is now a talented professional organizer, has written a fantastic guest blog post on this very topic!

Jennings, the owner of Space Maker Professional, is amazing at helping people organize, digitize, and preserve their cherished photo collections. I can’t recommend her enough! If you’re looking for assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to her. You’ll be in great hands! - Kate

Hi, I’m Jennings King! I help families organize, digitize, and protect their photos so their stories can be shared and loved for generations. As a photo manager, I’ve seen how much peace of mind comes from knowing your memories are safely preserved. Whether you’re just getting your wedding photos or sorting through old family albums, these steps will help you build a lasting photo archive you’ll be proud of.

Let’s be honest, our photos are some of our most treasured possessions. They tell our stories, capture our milestones, and keep our loved ones close even as time passes. Whether it’s your wedding day or a Sunday family session, those images deserve to be cared for and protected.

The good news? Archiving your photos doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few smart habits, you can make sure your memories are safe, organized, and easy to enjoy for years (and generations!) to come.

FOR DIGITAL PHOTOS

When your photographer sends you a flash drive or download link, don’t just save the files in one place and call it a day. Make multiple copies right away!

Here’s my favorite formula, I call it the “three places rule”:

1. One copy on your computer or external hard drive

2. One copy on a flash drive or second drive

3. One copy in the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.)

This way, if one location fails, you’ll still have backups. Flash drives only last around 10 years (less if used often), so the cloud copy gives you an extra layer of safety.

FOR PRINTED PHOTOS

If you’re working with printed photos, maybe wedding prints, family albums, or old shoebox treasures, it’s time to digitize them. You can scan them yourself or have them professionally scanned at 600 dpi for high-quality digital versions. Once you have those digital scans, store them using the same “three places rule.”

HOW TO KEEP EVERYTHING ORGINAIZED

Here’s my favorite little secret: the easiest way to keep your photos organized is to name your files by date, not by name. Start each file name with the year, month, and day, like this: 2025-10-21-JenningsAndBrennen-Wedding-001 This way, your photos automatically sort in chronological order on your computer, and you’ll instantly know when the memory happened. The date is the most powerful piece of information you can include.

Try to avoid naming files like JenningsAndBrennen-Wedding-1. It doesn’t tell you when it was taken or how it fits into your life story.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Creating a photo archive isn’t just about organizing files, it’s about protecting your story. By keeping your images in multiple places and naming them in a way that makes sense, you’re building a beautiful timeline of your life.

Start small, stay consistent, and before you know it, you’ll have a digital archive that’s easy to navigate and filled with moments you’ll love revisiting again and again.

READY FOR A LITTLE HELP

If this all sounds wonderful but a bit overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. I love helping families organize, digitize, and preserve their photo collections in a way that feels simple and personal.

Feel free to reach out — I’d be honored to help you create a system that keeps your memories safe and easy to enjoy for years to come.

Website: www.spacemakerprofessional.com

Instagram: @spacemakerprofessional

Facebook: @spacemakerprofessional

Fall Family Portraits on Charleston’s Beaches

If you’re dreaming of beautiful family portraits in the Charleston area, fall is the perfect season. At Captured by Kate Photography, we specialize in creating timeless beach portraits for families on Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Folly Beach, and Isle of Palms. With golden light, cooler temperatures, and fewer crowds, autumn is the ideal time to capture your family together by the sea.

Why Fall is the Best Time for Charleston Beach Portraits

In Charleston, fall brings the most flattering light for photography. We typically schedule sessions at sunrise or about 90 minutes before sunset—the times of day when the sun casts a soft, golden glow. During summer, these sessions can run late into the evening, which can be tough for young children. In the fall, the shorter days mean easier session times for families.

Another bonus? The cooler, less humid weather. With no sticky heat or heavy air, families feel more relaxed and comfortable, which always leads to natural smiles and genuine moments.

Best Charleston Beach Locations for Fall Family Portraits

Every Charleston-area beach has its own personality, and we love helping families choose the backdrop that best matches their style:

• Kiawah Island – Wide, quiet beaches with a serene, natural feel. Perfect for portraits with a mix of maritime forest, dunes, ocean, and stunning skies.

• Seabrook Island – Peaceful and private, with long natural beach paths perfect for photos. These trails open into fields of marsh grass, large rock jetties ideal for posing, and sandy stretches of shoreline.

• Folly Beach – Fun, funky, and lively, with iconic beach scenery. Folly offers lighthouse views, driftwood, and a laid-back atmosphere that’s perfect for playful family portraits.

• Isle of Palms – A family favorite, with long beach access that winds through beautiful sand dunes before opening up to wide stretches of sand and classic Lowcountry charm.

What to Wear for Fall Family Beach Portraits

Wardrobe makes a big difference in how your portraits look and feel. For fall sessions, we recommend:

• Natural, organic tones like navy, dark green, camel, tan, brown, or burgundy

• Jewel tones such as lavender, emerald green, or rich blues for a pop of color

These colors photograph beautifully against sandy beaches and coastal skies while also pairing perfectly with holiday card designs.

A Relaxed Family Experience

Fall on Charleston’s beaches means fewer tourists, calmer settings, and a more relaxed atmosphere. This allows us to capture not only classic portraits but also candid family moments—kids running along the shoreline, parents sharing a laugh, and those in-between moments that make your family unique.

Capturing Family Memories on Kiawah Island: An Evening Portrait Session

Kiawah Island, Sunset Portrait Session

If you’re looking for a memorable family activity on Kiawah Island, consider scheduling a sunset portrait session! I recently had the pleasure of photographing a lovely family with three boys, capturing their vibrant personalities in the soft light of the Golden Hour.

We kicked off our session at their rental condo, taking advantage of the picturesque surroundings before heading to the beach. This approach not only provides interesting backdrops but also helps avoid the windy beach conditions that can toss your hair around during family photos.

For this session, we managed to photograph three generations—the grandparents, parents, and their energetic boys. It was their first professional family portrait session, and capturing these special moments together was a true honor.

Starting with the whole family together, I focused on creating those must-have images, including grandparents with grandchildren, sibling shots, and parents with their kids. The walk to the beach also allowed us to capture candid moments, letting the kids express themselves and show off their unique personalities.

As we wrapped up the session on the beautiful Kiawah Island beach, the stunning sunset provided an incredible backdrop for the final family photos. If you’re considering family portraits, don’t miss the opportunity to make lasting memories on Kiawah Island, where beautiful sunsets and family activities come together perfectly!

Sunsets book fast, get in touch!

Kiawah Island Senior Portraits

Senior Portraits on Kiawah Island | Charleston Collegiate Graduate

Photographing senior portraits on Kiawah Island is always a special experience, and this session with a Charleston Collegiate School graduate was no exception. We started the shoot at her family’s home on Kiawah Island, capturing natural, relaxed portraits in a setting that meant something to her. Then we headed to the beach near Cougar Point Golf Course, where she changed into a fun Free People dress—adding a pop of personality to the coastal backdrop.

Senior portraits are such an important part of celebrating this milestone year. Whether you’re in Charleston, South Carolina, or right here on Kiawah Island, it’s about capturing who they are at this moment—right before stepping into a new chapter. As a Charleston-based senior portrait photographer, I love helping families preserve this time with images that feel both meaningful and timeless.

Who is Kate? Owner Captured by Kate Photography

I was interviewed today by my business software company, HoneyBook, and I thought the questions they asked were really thoughtful, so I’m sharing them here!

Amy, Kate, and Larry at James Island County Park.

Kate Thornton owner of Captured by Kate Photography

Introduce yourself: 

I started my photography business in 2003 in Charleston, South Carolina. What began as a one-woman show has grown into a full-service photography studio, specializing in commercial, lifestyle, and portrait photography. While I no longer shoot weddings, I photographed over 300 weddings throughout Charleston during my early years—an experience that shaped my style and deepened my appreciation for capturing meaningful, candid moments.

Today, my focus is on creating impactful images for businesses, families, and individuals that reflect authenticity, connection, and personality. I lead a small, talented team that includes two associate photographers, Larry and Amy. Larry joined me as an intern in 2019 and quickly advanced to second shooter before becoming a trusted associate photographer. Amy came on board as an intern in 2024 and has since grown into the associate role as well, bringing fresh energy and creativity to the team.

Outside of photography, I’m a proud mom to three amazing daughters who inspire me daily. Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship has been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m passionate about telling visual stories and feel grateful every day to do what I love in a city as inspiring as Charleston.

What sets you apart from other local photographers?

What sets me apart from other photographers in the area is my deep local knowledge and personal approach to every session. I make it a point to support other Charleston-based businesses whenever possible, and I never book a session without first getting on the phone with the client. That conversation is so important—it allows me to understand their goals, who will be in the portraits, and what kind of vibe they’re going for. From there, I can suggest the perfect location, the best time of day for lighting, and even offer tips on what to wear or bring.

So much can get lost in a text or email, and I want every client to feel fully supported and confident going into their shoot. It’s about creating the best possible experience and building a real connection, so they’ll trust me not just for this session, but for the next one too. That level of care is a big reason why I have over 100 five-star reviews on Google.

A lot of photographers skip that phone call—and I think they miss out on the chance to really connect. That personal touch makes all the difference.

Share a specific change or initiative you’ve implemented in your business recently and the impact it had.

Oh gosh—running a photography business for over 20 years definitely comes with its fair share of ups and downs! One thing I’ve learned along the way is how important it is to pivot quickly and trust my gut.

A challenge I’ve noticed in recent years is that fewer clients are printing their photos. That not only impacts our revenue—since they’re not ordering prints through us—but more importantly, people are missing out on the joy of seeing their memories displayed in their homes. Photos end up buried on phones instead of being part of daily life, which takes away from the emotional and artistic value of the images.

To address that, I now include a print credit in all of my packages. It encourages clients to actually print their favorite images and enjoy them as part of their home. It’s a win-win—it supports my business, enhances their experience, and keeps me top-of-mind the next time they want portraits. When families see my work on their walls every day, they’re more likely to call me again in the future.

Tell us about a recent challenge:

Well, there are always challenges—there’s never a shortage of them! But honestly, I feel incredibly blessed to be at a point in my business where I can outsource some of the photography work to my two amazing associates. That flexibility allows me to take on the sessions that work best within my schedule, which is huge as a mom of three girls.

Balancing motherhood and running a busy photography business stretches my brain daily, but it’s also made me more intentional with my time and energy. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how to say no—no to things that don’t align with my priorities or the direction I want to take my business. And I have zero regrets about that. It’s allowed me to be more present, both for my clients and for my family.

Tell us about the tools, technology, and/or people that meaningfully impact your workflow, allow you to spend more time doing what you love:

Outsourcing has been a game-changer for me—both in my business and my personal life. From hiring a cleaning lady to help with the dusting, mopping, and vacuuming, to using ChatGPT (like I am right now!) to help me write responses like this, I’ve learned how valuable it is to get help where I can. In my photography workflow, I rely on AI to cull images—filtering out the ones with closed eyes or too much repetition—and I outsource editing to a trusted color corrector.

Over the years, I’ve figured out what can be outsourced and what can’t. No matter how streamlined the process gets, I still carve out time with every shoot to add my own personal touch. That creative oversight is non-negotiable. But being able to delegate some of the more time-consuming tasks has shaved off hours of computer work and freed me up to focus on what matters most—connecting with clients, being present for my girls, and staying inspired as an artist.

What’s the story behind the start of your business?

My background is in photojournalism—I started out working for a daily newspaper, which gave me a strong foundation in storytelling through images. But I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, so it was only a matter of time before I launched my own photography business. Even after starting my studio, I’ve continued to freelance for a few publications, including The New York Times, where I’ve been their local stringer in Charleston for over 20 years. That experience has shaped my approach, helping me capture real, authentic moments with a storytelling edge.

What skills or perspectives did you bring from a completely different field or life experience that unexpectedly benefited your business?

Being a mom of three has definitely shaped the way I photograph families and children. I know what makes kids smile, what gets a genuine giggle, and how to be patient when things don’t go exactly as planned. 

You’re having coffee with YOU from when you first started your business. What would you tell yourself?

Trust your gut 

One of HoneyBook’s values is “people come first”. How do you show up for the people around you outside of your business?

I truly believe one of the strengths of our team is how much we support each other. Whether someone’s dealing with a health issue or a loss in the family—which has already happened this year—we always step in without hesitation. I’ve filled in for shoots, and Amy and Larry have done the same for me and each other. That kind of trust and teamwork is invaluable.

We’re also in constant communication about how to serve our clients better—whether it’s brainstorming ways to elevate their experience or sharing tips to make shoots run more smoothly. It’s not just about taking great photos; it’s about showing up for each other and for our clients in every way we can.