172: How to Start a Photo Organizing Side Hustle

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I’ve got photos scattered everywhere - on my desktop, laptop, phone, Dropbox, the cloud, and who knows how many memory sticks.

Can you relate?

Chances are, yes. Most people are drowning in decades of digital and printed photos… and here’s the surprising part: many would happily pay someone to sort it all out. That’s where a photo organizing side hustle comes in.

Cathi Nelson is a pioneer in this field, having built a business that helps people take control of their scattered digital photos, printed collections, home movies, scrapbooks, and other keepsakes.

In this rebroadcast episode, you’ll discover:

• the multiple revenue streams within a photo organizing side hustle

• how to price a job (including complex digital cleanups)

• where to find your first paying clients

• the tools you need ... and the ones you don’t

• simple steps Cathi uses to organize her own photos

• the traits that make someone successful in this work

• how to grow from a small project to ongoing referrals

We’re talking about working with people’s most meaningful keepsakes, so it's a side hustle that can be personally fulfilling as well as financially rewarding.

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Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

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How to Start a Photo Organizing Side Hustle

If you’re someone who likes bringing order to chaos, enjoys stories, and doesn’t mind solving a good puzzle, a photo organizing side hustle might be a lot more fitting than you think!

Most people have years worth of photos scattered across old phones, hard drives, cloud accounts, memory cards, and boxes tucked away in closets or basements. And while photos are often people’s most treasured items, very few have the time or the skill to organize them.

In this rebroadcast episode, I talk with Cathi Nelson, founder of The Photo Managers. She shares what photo managers actually do, the types of projects clients need help with, and why this has become such a practical and in-demand side hustle. Below is a deeper look at the role, the income potential, and what it really takes to get started.

Why Photo Organizing Is More Needed Than Ever

When Cathi asks people if they know where all their photos are, the answer is almost always no. It’s not that people don’t care, it’s that the volume has grown beyond what the average person can manage.

Printed photos get tucked into boxes. Digital photos sit in multiple cloud accounts. Old home movies end up in formats most people can’t play anymore. A photo organizing side hustle addresses a real pain point: helping people make sense of years of memories.

And because these items are so personal, clients appreciate the service in a way that goes beyond convenience. They’re relieved to finally have everything organized, backed up, and easy to find.

What Photo Managers Actually Do

The work varies from client to client, but it generally includes:

• Consolidating digital photos from phones, hard drives, cloud accounts, and computers
• Scanning and digitizing printed photos, scrapbooks, and keepsakes
• Eliminating duplicates and building a clean, usable structure
• Creating photo books and slideshows for special events
• Converting old home movies into digital formats
• Preserving family history in a way that’s easy to share and pass down

Some projects are fully remote and digital; others involve physical boxes of photos that clients prefer not to mail. The variety keeps the work interesting.

Earning Potential and Typical Project Sizes

This is where the numbers get interesting. A simple shoebox of 600 to 1,000 printed photos can become a $600 to $1,000 scanning project. Digital organizing frequently starts in the hundreds and can reach several thousand dollars, depending on the size and complexity.

Cathi shared real ranges from their member survey:

• Beginners: $500–$2,000 per month
• Part-time after a few years: $55,000–$90,000 per year
• Experienced full-time pros: can be six figures

Larger family archives or multi-year collections can become multi-month projects. Many photo managers also see strong repeat business as clients find more photos or decide to take on additional projects.

Why It Works Well as a Side Hustle

One of the biggest advantages is the flexibility. Unlike service-based businesses that require immediate turnaround, most photo projects do not. Clients are usually fine with a comfortable timeline unless a special event is coming up. That means you can fit the work around a full-time job, family schedule, or other commitments.

You also choose how you operate. Some photo managers work entirely virtually; others prefer hands-on local work with printed photos. Many do a mix of both.

Tools and Skills You Need to Start

You don’t need a complicated setup. Cathi recommends beginning with:

• A reliable computer
• A couple of external hard drives for backup
• An Epson FastFoto or flatbed scanner for printed images

More important than equipment is your mindset. Successful photo managers tend to enjoy stories, are patient with people, and are comfortable learning new tools as technology evolves. You don’t need to be an expert at everything from day one. Many start with one type of service and expand as they gain confidence.

How to Find Your First Clients

Cathi suggests starting where you already have trust - friends, family, and your existing social network. Many people have been meaning to “deal with their photos someday,” and they’re relieved to hear there’s help available.

Local opportunities also work well, including:

• Senior centers and community centers
• Libraries and historical societies
• Professional organizers and move managers specializing in baby boomers and seniors

These groups regularly meet people who need help organizing photos and are happy to refer someone reliable.

Traits That Help You Succeed

If you enjoy listening to people’s stories, like solving problems, and don’t mind learning new processes, you’ll likely find the work rewarding. Strong communication skills help, too especially when setting expectations around pricing, scope, and timeline. Clients value clarity as much as they value the final organized collection.

A Simple Framework to Organize Your Own Photos

Cathi shared a helpful structure called the ABCs of photo organizing. Keep the photos worth preserving, set aside the ones you’re unsure about, and delete the duplicates or blurry shots. If a photo contributes to the story you want to remember, keep it. If not, let it go.

Final Thoughts

A photo organizing side hustle offers flexibility, meaningful work, and steady demand. If you’re curious about what it takes to begin, this conversation with Cathi provides a clear look at the process, the learning curve, and the real-world earning potential.

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Connect with Cathi: The Photo Managers

Academy - To learn how to organize your photos

Photo Manager Training - Cathi's 1-year program to start and build this as a side hustle

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