What’s in my Digital Gathering Toolkit?
Every digital photo organizing project starts with gathering because we can estimate the scope of the project, save time, and minimize redundant work. We gather everything from the list below to get started on a digital photo organizing project:
Computers: Computers need to be charged, turned on, plugged in, and logged in before we start. We include all desktop and laptop computers, and don’t forget old computers that might not be used anymore.
Phones and Tablets: Most people today take more photos with their phones than their cameras, so we need all your phones and tablets. Make sure they’re charged, you have the right cables, and you know the passcodes.
External Hard Drives: We gather any external hard drives or backup drives that have images on them, including any necessary cables and power cords.
Memory Cards: Gather all digital camera memory cards with images still on them, including the one still in your camera!
CDs and DVDs: We don’t use these much anymore, but they were very popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s for backups, sharing, or provided by your photo lab.
Web Sites and Cloud Accounts: We need the username and password for any web site and cloud accounts where you store your digital photos.
| Computer | This can be a laptop or desktop, but we need as many ports and adapters as possible. We mostly use Mac computers, but Windows also works. The MacBook Pro 14 and the Mac Mini M2 are our current favorite options. |
| External Hard Drives | To make the process go as quickly as possible we only use NVME drives with Thunderbolt 3 connectors and SSD drives with USB-C connectors. We use multiple drives formatted for Mac and Windows so we’re ready for anything. |
| USB Micro cable | We use this cable to copy images from older Android phones, older Android tablets, and many other small devices. |
| USB Mini cable | We use this cable to copy images from many external hard drives and digital cameras. |
| USB Mini 4-pin cable | We use this cable to copy images from some older digital cameras. |
| USB-C to USB-A Adapter | We use this cable to connect USB cables and devices to newer computers that only have USB C ports. |
| Firewire 400-800 cable | Firewire hard drives are relatively uncommon, but they’re out there. We use this cable use in conjunction with the Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 adapter. |
| Firewire 800 cable | Firewire 800 was an upgrade to Firewire 400 drives that were faster but used a different cable type. We use this cable use in conjunction with the Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 adapter. |
| Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 adapter | We use this adapter to connect either of the above Firewire cables to the Thunderbolt ports on our computers. |
| Apple Lightning cable | We use an Apple Lightning cable to connect modern Apple devices including iPhones, iPads, and iPods. |
| Apple 30-pin cable | We use an Apple 30-pin cable to connect older Apple devices including early versions of the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. |
| Multi-Card Reader | Most of our clients have photo archives that include images from dozens of different digital cameras and several different memory card formats. That’s why we use a USB memory card reader that supports many different formats. Popular formats include Secure Digital (SD), MicroSD, and CompactFlash (CF). |
| MicroSD Adapter | These adapters make it easier to handle tiny MircoSD cards. |
| Generic Power Cord | It’s impossible to copy images from a device that doesn’t turn on, so we always have generic power cords on hand in case it helps us power up an old computer or an external hard drive. |
| Power Strip | Many old cameras, phones, and devices have drained batteries and will only function if they’re plugged in. That’s why I keep a travel power strip on hand to keep everything charged and working throughout the gathering session. |
| Extension Cord | None of this is going to work if we can’t keep the devices powered, so we have extension cords to keep everything running. |
| iKlear Single-Use Screen Cleaners | Old devices have a way of attracting dust, animal hair, crumbs, and finger prints. One wipe can clean multiple laptops, monitors, tablets, phones, and cameras. |
| Color circle stickers | We use small colored circle stickers to mark which devices have been completed. We like the stickers designed for yard sales because they are strong enough to attach but can easily be removed without a sticky mess. |
| Carrying Case | We store all of these cables and tools in a handy carrying case that keeps us ready for every new project. |
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Interested in working with Chaos to Memories?
If you’re near Chicago and ready to get started, come visit our Wheaton Studio Monday – Friday, 10-5. Please bring your memories with you.
Contact us for more information, shipping instructions, and to get started on your project.