Navigating Photo Storage: A Personal Journey with ADHD and OCD

Chapter 1: My Complex Relationship with Digital Photos

In this article, I share my unique approach to managing digital photography, illustrating how my experiences with autism, ADHD, OCD, and a touch of perfectionism complicate the process.

As I reflect on my photo management practices, it’s clear that I tend to overcomplicate things.

When I acquired my first digital camera in 2000, technology was quite different. Memory cards typically held only 8 MB to 32 MB of data. Back then, I wasn't capturing many images, so it was easy to stay organized. Cloud storage was nonexistent, and smartphones weren't in the picture.

The process was straightforward: after filling my camera's memory card with about 100 photos, I would:

Transfer the images to my computer.
Create a backup on a secondary hard drive.
Make an additional backup using CD-R discs.

This method worked effectively for several years. However, everything changed when my children were born five years later; my photo-taking skyrocketed, especially after getting an iPhone.

Despite the increase in images, I continue to handle my photos manually, which has become a daunting task. I often find myself procrastinating until my phone storage is nearly full.

Section 1.1: Managing Photos the Autistic Way

Every few months, I transfer images from my phone to my computer. I then rename them to include:

Date (formatted in ISO 8601)
Sequence number from the original file
Names of individuals or objects
Location and event details

For instance, a file name might read:

2012–08–27 5730 Jane Promenade Llandudno

Even with the assistance of some renaming software I created, the task is time-consuming, especially with thousands of photos to sort through.

Why do I follow this naming convention?

Preserved file names are more reliable than sometimes fleeting metadata.
It allows for quick searches by names or locations.
Sorting by file name arranges them chronologically, even when backup dates are incorrect.

Subsection 1.1.1: My Backup Strategy

My backup procedures might be a bit excessive. My Mac mini utilizes Backblaze for automatic backups, a fantastic cloud service with unlimited storage for both Mac and PC users.

(I even have an affiliate link for Backblaze, which will register me as "macblaze" during trial sign-up.)

Additionally, I employ two external hard drives for automated backups via Chronosync and TimeMachine. Periodically, I also manually back up to a couple of offline drives stored in my garage.

Section 1.2: Embracing Cloud Storage

A few years ago, Google offered free unlimited photo storage, prompting me to upload many of my images. This was a game changer, allowing access across devices, albeit with some quality loss—especially in videos. Google Photos also preserved my original file names, which was a plus.

However, everything changed when Google announced the discontinuation of free unlimited storage.

Chapter 2: The Impulsive Decision

As Google’s free storage option came to an end, I realized I would have to pay for future storage. My ADHD impulsivity kicked in, leading me to delete all my previously uploaded photos.

I intended to re-upload everything in full quality, but then I hesitated. I recalled how my past photos lacked my preferred naming format, which made organization difficult.

Names I previously used, such as:

Jane 27 August 2021 5730 Promenade Llandudno

were not conducive to effective sorting. Compounding this issue, my scanned family photographs from years ago were inconsistently named and organized, creating further chaos.

I decided it was best to tidy up and standardize my naming conventions before re-uploading to Google Photos. However, the task felt daunting, exacerbated by my OCD tendencies and desire for perfection.

What Should I Do Next?

Since removing my photos from Google, I've contemplated how others manage their collections. Most seem to rely on their device's default cloud service while keeping a backup on their computer.

As an iPhone user, switching to Apple’s iCloud Photos seems logical; it would automate the process.

However, I worry that:

New photos wouldn’t align with my naming preferences.
I might lose my carefully crafted file names if Apple takes over the management.
I would require additional storage on my computer, as photos would duplicate in Apple’s library.
I am uncomfortable deleting original files and prefer not to have my surprise moments—like gift photos—instantly shared across devices.

Ultimately, it boils down to trust. I question whether my cherished family photos would be safe under Apple’s management. My current strategy allows me to verify the integrity of my files easily since they exist as individual items.

Final Thoughts

While my current photo management system is tedious and restricts my access to older images on different devices, I know a change is necessary.

I see two options:

Transition all my photos to Apple iCloud Photos, trusting that everything will remain secure and accepting that new photos will appear on all my devices instantly.
Stick to my manual system, dedicating time to rename and upload the images I wish to keep in the cloud through Google Photos.

The first option is more automated and integrates well with my devices, but it may require frequent upgrades to keep up with the latest software. The second option grants me greater control over what goes to the cloud but is undeniably more labor-intensive.

It’s a tough choice to make!

Thank you for reading!