How to Start a Photo Organizing Business: $100/hr Sorting Other People’s Pictures

Do you have an overwhelming number of photos scattered across your phone or even tucked away in dusty albums in the attic?

Would you hire someone to organize it for you?

I never imagined photo organizing as a side hustle could pay $100 an hour nor did I anticipate its high demand.

But Cheryl DiFrank has built a six-figure business doing just that!

Tune in to Episode 619 of the Side Hustle Show to learn:

• how photo organizing works
• who it might be a good fit for
• how to launch this side hustle going off the ground

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The Early Days of My Memory File

Cheryl stumbled into this business by chance. She was helping a friend organize digital photos when the friend suggested she do it as a job.

Initially skeptical, Cheryl discovered there was an entire association dedicated to photo organizing called The Photo Managers.

If it’s a big enough industry to have its own association, it’s totally worth going after. However, if it’s more niche than that, maybe not.

Cheryl found that as soon as she told people what she did, their reaction was often, “Oh my gosh, I had no idea that I could hire somebody to do this!”

The demand stems from the overwhelming nature of organizing photos. It’s a similar idea to how we don’t want to clean our homes even though we’re capable because we just don’t have the bandwidth to do it.

And photo organizing is a much, much bigger project—a much more emotional project for many people.

How Photo Organizing Works

Photo organizing typically involves three main areas:

• Print photos: Organizing physical photos, often older family photos stored in attics or basements.
• Digital photo organizing: Sorting and organizing photos on phones, hard drives, and camera cards.
• Scanning or digitizing photos: Converting physical photos to digital format.

Some photo organizers specialize in specific areas, like creating photo books or slideshows.

But keep in mind that organizing should come before scanning, as scanning an unorganized mess just results in a digital mess.

Pricing and Project Scope

Cheryl said a rate of $100 per hour is typical in the industry.

Most projects take at least 20 hours, with some running much longer. A typical project might involve sorting and organizing four boxes of photos, which could take 15-20 hours. Scanning would add additional time and cost.

While this might seem expensive, it’s not just affluent clients who use her services. Many people prioritize preserving their family memories over other expenses.

For some, this is more important than going to Europe every year or getting the newest car. This is where people want to invest their money because it’s about their family memories.

Startup Costs

The good news for anyone considering this side hustle is that the startup costs are relatively low.

You’ll need:

• a workspace for sorting (Cheryl uses her dining room table)
• some basic supplies like rubber bands and photo-safe pencils
• a scanner

A scanner costs around $500, but Cheryl points out that it often pays for itself with the first project, as scanning typically costs about $1 per image, and most clients have at least 500 photos to scan.

Marketing and Finding Clients

One of the keys to success in this side hustle is effective marketing. Cheryl has found success using local listservs and neighborhood groups to spread the word about her services.

These platforms, like NextDoor or local Facebook groups, are great for reaching potential clients in your area.

Word-of-mouth referrals are also incredibly powerful in this business. Happy clients are often eager to recommend your services to friends and family.

Cheryl has also had success donating her services to school auctions, which gives her exposure to hundreds of potential clients.

One simple yet effective marketing trick Cheryl uses is adding her business info to her email signature. This has led to unexpected inquiries from people she’s communicating with about completely unrelated matters.

The Process of Photo Organizing

Cheryl starts each project by gathering information about the family: important dates, family members, and key events.

She then sorts and organizes the photos, usually without the client present to maintain efficiency.

For digital photos, she may use software to help identify the best photos from a series, but emphasizes that AI can’t replace the human touch in understanding family dynamics and important moments.

As Cheryl puts it, “You really do have to kind of get to know the family and the people in the photos.”

Growing the Business

Cheryl is growing her business by hiring part-time employees and considering renting office space to accommodate more projects.

“I cannot stress enough that there is plenty of work to go around,” Cheryl says.

Some photo organizers subcontract certain services, like scanning, to other specialists.

There are even opportunities for passive income, such as becoming an affiliate for cloud storage solutions like Forever.com, where they earn commissions.

Why Photo Organizing is in Demand

There’s significant anxiety around photos, both physical and digital. People worry about losing irreplaceable memories stored in attics or basements.

They also feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of digital photos on their phones and computers.

Cheryl says, “The idea that you could relieve some of that anxiety and some of that stress is a huge bonus and a huge benefit to what you could offer them.”

Tools of the Trade

While the basic tools for photo organizing are simple, there are some tech solutions that can help streamline the process:

• Cloud storage services like iCloud for backing up digital photos
• Specialized photo storage platforms like Forever.com
• Professional-grade scanners for digitizing physical photos

A Day in the Life of a Photo Organizer

One of the appealing aspects of this side hustle is its flexibility. Most clients don’t have strict deadlines, allowing you to work on projects as your schedule permits.

This makes it an ideal side hustle for people with full-time jobs or family commitments.

A typical day might involve sorting through boxes of physical photos, scanning selected images, organizing digital files, or meeting with clients to discuss their needs and preferences.

Lessons Learned and Surprises Along the Way

One of the biggest surprises in Cheryl’s journey has been how appreciative clients are of her services.

Even when writing large checks, clients express immense gratitude for having their memories preserved and organized.

She also shared the importance of setting clear expectations with clients about project scope and timing. Given the personal nature of photos, it’s crucial to build trust and maintain confidentiality. 

Getting Started in Photo Organizing

If you’re interested in exploring photo organizing as a side hustle, Cheryl recommends visiting thephotomanagers.com/sidehustledownload for free resources, including:

• 20 types of potential clients for professional photo organizers
• Worksheets to help identify your services and target market

Cheryl is even offering a free 30-minute consultation to the first three people who download the free resources and join The Photo Managers.

Episode Links

• mymemoryfile.com
• The Photo Managers
• Forever.com
• iCloud
• https://thephotomanagers.com/sidehustledownload

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