Start by creating a set of nested, chronological folders designated with years and months. Remember the “home” I mentioned above? That’s where the master copy of every photo lives and where you’ll focus to eliminate duplicate files. I don’t recommend taking shortcuts when it comes to protecting your memories. Software is no substitute for good old-fashioned human eyeballs on the situation and can even make the progress more complicated that it needs to be. While there is duplicate-locating software for both Mac and PC, it’s not where I personally believe you should begin. With that zone under control, you can turn your focus to the photos you already have. Setting yourself up for future duplicate avoidance should feel like a big relief. * If you do make a copy (for whatever reason), delete the duplicate copy as soon as you feel assured the file transfer has completed. Clear off your memory card once the newest images have been backed up. Then, import only the new pictures to your photo home.

* When transferring images, always check which photo was the last to be imported. Automated backup can reduce the anxiety that leads to duplicates. * The entire photo library should be backed up in at least one (ideally two) locations. Your #1 objective should be to get your images from each camera or device to that home. * Your photos should have a clearly designated home. So what’s the secret to preventing duplicate copies? There are several: Everything that came before may be in disarray (and take some time to sort), but from here forward you can do better.ĭon’t wait until you’re totally organized to commit to more purposeful photo management.

With intentional action, you can consolidate your photo library and stop worrying about your memories getting lost in the clutter. In this post my aim is to provide a clear path out of the weeds for both PC and Mac users. Not only are your photos in multiple locations, but you’ve got copies spread across numerous devices and drives. During the last Photo Crush challenge, eliminating duplicate copies of photos was the most frequently-discussed topic.

Remove duplicates photos mac