It’s easy to record information about a photo if you know how! This is the method that I use most often.
Because I won’t have time to scrapbook this photo anytime soon I wanted to save the conversation that went along with it. In the olden days I would have jotted down a note and tried to keep it with the photos. This way is a lot more efficient.
I spent the afternoon in the pool with my Grandchildren racing (usually with one or more of them on my back) and this is the conversation I wanted to save:
Kirra (age 4) “Grammy are you swimming slow because you’re really old?”
Me (age 39+) “I’m not really old.”
Kirra (age 4) “Are you just a little bit old?”
Me (age 39+) “I’m not old at all.”
Logan (age 6) “Then why do you look really old?”
Gannon (age 2) Kept quiet and listened to the conversation (he is now my favorite!).
Here’s how you do it:
Open the PSE Organizer.
Import the photo into the Photoshop Elements Organizer (File>Get Photos and Videos).
Select the photo and go to Window>Properties>General.
Type the information in the Notes section.
If you’re not using the Organizer check out our Photo Organizing class now!
Registration closes 7/20!
Leave a comment about how you remember your stories before Monday, July 16th at 8:00 p.m. (California time) and win one of our online classes that is currently in session. Our online classes include Lifetime Access!
At The Digital Scrapbook Teacher use Coupon Code: Young_Grammy to SAVE 20% until July 16th. Cannot be used on Books, Book Specials, Classes, Class Packets, Online Classes, Boot Camps, or Workshops.
To Download this tip as a printable pdf file click here.
I usually type a note in a Word document to remember my stories. PSE Organizer sounds much easier. Hope I win a free class!
I carry a calendar type book with me, and write down what happend, where and what was said if needed and then keep my pictures by date in my computer. I can go to the calendar type book time and time again, and find what is needed for my pages. Some of them have little folders for each month and I put things that I pick up like brochures etc, while on vacation as well. I have them kept in my scrapbook room and have gone back three or four years and have at my fingertips what I am looking for. I buy one every year at the end of the year as they are always half price.
love this tip, what a great way to remember, cause I am 39+ too, and the memory is fading. I have been writing things in a little notebook, but adding to the picture is so much better
What a cute conversation and definitely one you would want to record! Thanks for the wonderful tip on adding journaling in PSE Organizer!!
I generally try to organize my photos into a folder on my computer (yes, it’s a work in progress) and when I get a specific event, or person or whatever, I create a text file with notes in it and store it in that folder as well.
The only word I can think of is Brilliant!
Love it, love your grandchildren, they are the same age as mine! I would have written it down on a sticky note, or in my day planner… but I like your idea so much better!
That is such a cute story! When my friend was pregnant with her first she took my kids who were about 10 and 11 to her grandparent’s house to go swimming. She was wearing a black swimsuit and as she swam by my son (10) says “Hey, look, it’s Shamu” LOL Of course she didn’t think it was funny at the time, but she does now.
OMG.. This is brilliant. I’m always trying to figure out how to remember the story and my thoughts about the picture. Thanks so much!
Such a great idea! Never, ever thought of utilizing that space but I will start!
I bought a new Rebel Canon Camera last year , took 2 of your photo courses all in the anticipation of
grandkids! We are expecting our first GrandBean in December … I LOVE the conversation
and would not want to ever lose it! To cute
Your class is on my list to take. I always think I will never forget but I do. I am ok about keeping a little journal when we vacation but not good about the everyday moments. Thanks for the tip!
You are absolutely hysterical! I always get great tips from your newsletter along with a loud chuckle. I’ve taken all three cnline classes and highly recommend them to anyone who wants to learn how to salvage and enhance photos. Thanks, Patty for the great learning experience.
I so love helpful tips. I already saved it to my “PSE TIPS file” in case I forget.
Would love a chance to win one of your on line courses !!!!
Thanks
Patty, this is the best tip ever. I save photos by date and event, because I used to think it would spark my memory of what happened at the event. Well, sometimes it works, but more often it doesn’t. I plan on using this tip as often as I can to help me remember, so that when I finally can scrap my pictures, it will be just like it happened yesterday.
Thank you! I never thought of saving the moments with the picture! How can something so simple have never crossed my mind? I have never been able to take one of your online classes, and I see that I am missing out on so much!
This is so funny. I am glad you shared this because I did not have a good way of remembering conversations other than writing them down somewhere then forgetting where I stashed that. Lol Thank you.
I LOVE this tip! I have two different methods
First, I have a notebook, small/purse-size that I take everywhere and at the end of the day I jot a few notes down, especially on holidays and other days that we’ve been or done something. Then, when I print the photos and organize the prints in their photo boxes, I use leftover scraps of cardstock or other scrapbook paper to write down a few things and then tuck that in the envelope with the photos. You’re way is so much easier! I need to take your organizer class 
I was cringing and laughing at your grandchildren’s comments, all at the same time
When I actually write it down, it’s on a slip of paper that I throw in a box. At one time I had a little notebook, and now I have no idea where that notebook is located. And yes, when I find that paper I often can’t remember what it was for…so perhaps I should adopt your system…pronto!
I was actually going to ask this in the MCC forum for the current Organizing Photos class! Thank you so much!
Another Great tip! I really like this one because I am always forgetting the story behind the photo.
Hope you are going to teach some classes in Southern California next year when your Boot Camps are finished. I thought the layers tip using the type tool was super but this one
is even better.
You are so clever and so smart! Thank you for sharing your tips. I look forward to them.
Great idea! I will use it alot. I bought your first book several years ago. It has been my PSE Bible. You wouldn’t believe how “used” it is! Even though I have a much newer version of PSE than I did when I bought the book, I still use it alot and will NEVER! part with it. I have taken your classes and recommend them to everyone.
Thanks for the tip. I keep a little notebook next to my camera and jot down things I want to remember along with the date of the picture.
Great photo, Grams!! And what fun to reminisce later with the same kids as they continue to spend quality time with Grandma!
My three grown grandkids and I can attest to that!! Just wish I had absorbed all the good info you provided in your classes and earlier Bootcamps! Will just keep taking classes til it “sticks” !!
Thank you for this tip…. now I just need to get going and organize my photos and notes! I took classes at Novi and did get the organizer but have not taken time to get it loaded and start using it – guess I should take the organizing class on line to get me going – it would be great push to make my “photo memories” easy to use. Believe me I have taken tons of pictures since Novi too!
I am fairly new to digital scrapping and am searching for ways to do the many different things involved in this venture. I am learning PSE 9 with you help and the book “Basics and Beyond”. I am happy to learn this tip for remembering my stories. With 16 grandkids and two more on the way this will be a big help in remembering the cute things they say and do.
I do not always use the Organizer so I have a different way to remember the story of a picture. I open the photo in Elements, add a text box and write my notes there. Since it is on its own layer, I can turn it off and on. When I get around to scrapping the page, I can just move the layers (picture and adjustments) onto my page and leave the text layer unmoved. I always save the PSD versions of my photos, so this works for me.
This is a great tip! It’s the perfect place to remember and note all those special things! You know kids say the funniest things and sometimes OUR memory of that event isn’t so good! Just remember to BACKUP!! Taking a class from you in Tulsa next month! So excited! Thanks!
I’ve always saved the who’s, what’s and where’s about my photos on 3 x 5 cards and tucked them into the albums or photo envelopes UNTIL the digital camera revolution! Out with the 3 x 5 cards and in with a steno notebook listing all photos by image number as recorded by the camera. Three digital cameras and 5 steno notebooks later – I’m now having an Epiphany! A real OH DUH! moment! You are my photo hero! Thank you .. thank you .. thank you!
Just got PSE at the end of last Summer and the school year was way to busy to teach myself more than just the basic editing. I had no idea that I could save notes; thanks for this wonderful tip….that I will begin using immediately BTW. How have I been keeping up with comments that I want with the photos? I haven’t. This has definitely been something I wanted to do better going forward.
I love this idea! I never thought to do that and there are so many cute and sweet things that children (or anybody) say that should be documented. I will definetly use this feature. Thank you Patty! I love that your grandkids call you Grammy.
I love the tip and I love the story! I’ve been enjoying receiving your emails and I definitely have it on my list to sign up for a class!
I’m not at my computer with Photoshop Elements. But I’m wondering if IrfanView writes the information in the same place on the file? In IrfanView I go to Image – Information. When that box opens I then click on IPTC info and write my notes under the Caption. Does anyone know if those notes would show up when I open the file in Photoshop Elements Organizer? Thanks.
I usually try to print on the back the date and the who what and when… because with my hectic life i know i’ll forget something..
I really don’t have any method to organize those memories except to remember them (I do organize my photos in a file by date and event). However, I truly am “older” and it is not getting any easier to remember those details. I would love to learn more about this feature in one of your classes.
Your story made me laugh out loud! These little things are what it is all about and this is a great way to remember them. Thanks for the tip.
Love this tip (and your story….lol)…..I keep notes on my iphone/ipad of things I want to remember. Usually funny sayings/stories of our son.
Hey is that little speaker on that page a place to store an audio file? Could it also be done with a verbal recording or how cool would it be to have recorded the kids live?
Thanks for the great tip I never would have thought of it.
Shame on me!!!!!!! The way I organize memories with photos is in my head. I convince myself that I won’t forget the specifics because they are so impressionable. Who am I kidding? I can’t even remember what I ate for breakfast. Thanks for all the tips.
Love this tip since I’m in the 39 plus group too! I may not get around to a photo within a week or a year, no difference, I still won’t remember the whole story. Sometimes that is an advantage though! LOL
I love this tip. I’m going to have to try it.
I have taken your classes at Expo, unfortunately I didn’t sign up for August and I really should have.They are great.
I also use the notes portion, or sometimes the caption is enough to jog my memory
Just got your book. I barely skimmed the surface and have already picked up many great tips. I’ll add this one to the bunch. Thanks for untangling PSE for us!
I love this tip. I can’t wait to take your class on organizing so I can use this feature.
This is a great tip, thank you for sharing.
Another AWESOME idea! Thanks. I have taken most of your classes and am always amazed by your creativity. After learning how to turn photos into sketches in your Mini Intermediate Digital Scrapbooking Workshop I took two separate photos of my dogs and combined them into one and turned it into a sketch. I then had it printed on canvas and everyone thinks I hand sketched it and then applied watercolors. I never would have thought to do something like that before taking your wonderful classes. Thank you again.
I learned something I did not know today. Thanks for the tip. I loved the conversation with you granddaughter. I am so glad that you have time to enjoy them.
Great idea! I have typed words as part of the name of the photo to help trigger something about the picture(s). Yes, I know… not a lot of room, but better than nothing.
I like your idea better!
This was a great tip! I have written notes on little pieces of paper or in a small, pursesize notebook that changes frequently, so I don’t know which one the comments are in. I recently started
copy and pasting comments from family on facebook pictures to keep. The other thing I have done is put a Jounal page on my Microsoft office and I add comments with the date & a brief description of the picture there. The tip you just gave me is wonderful and should save time by keeping comments with the picture! Thanks so much for the tip. I have learned so much from you, Patty!
Are you going to do another crop day in Orange County when you finish some of your touring? I attended the previous one and loved the help you and Mike gave me to finally download all the great DVDs that I have purchased from you! Thanks again, Fran Guzek
Thanks for this great tip, Patty! My famous last words are… “I’ll remember it!”… yeah, right!
What an AMAZING trick, as always!!! You are the best teacher–ever!! You always share the real nitty gritty practical things that all of us with busy lives really need. Thanks for always helping us with the “real life” stuff!
I should start using PSE as I have it on my computer and just don’t use it …but I do have another program where I have stored pics in folders, but that program doesn’t have a place for notes. Thanks for the tip and class.
I have written on the backs of photos at time but that is very time consuming and have only put the person/people and date. I love this idea, wish I had know about this years ago and wish the technology was available when my sons were kids (now 33 & 39.. YIKES)
Thanks for the great tips and I think I’m going to sign up for a class or two!
This is great! thanks!
What a fantastic tip!!! Right now I don’t have a good way of saving my story with my photos and I have PSE 9!!! I so need to jump on the bandwagon with this!
Love the Organizer idea – unfortunately mine locks up when opened from too much in it and I guess not enough space on my hard drive (I’m working on moving all my scrapbook supplies to an EHD and I guess have a LOT of catching up to do). I didn’t put my photos in Organizer because of the data issue, so I downloaded a free photo organizing software where I just tag with what the event was, basically, never a conversation, although I really should record some of the things that come out of my babies/grandbabies’ mouths!
You really just need to come live with me for the summer! We could do photoshop over and over and over ! It would be fun:)
Thanks for a great tip! I hope to see you in Aug at CKC in Tulsa, if I don’t have to leave town
I also type into the metadata field sometimes as well as keeping a journal of my day in Day One on my iphone. Thanks for the tip. Love your classes.
I write them on slips of paper noting the occasion and picture, then toss them in a bin. I pull them out and scrap whatever I grab…I like your method much better
I don’t have a great way to make notes, but this is brilliant! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
Ok, WOW, I can’t wait to give this a try! It sounds super simple &, more importantly, a great way to keep the story with the pic!! I’m not sure that it beats my current system of jotting down info on post-it-notes & storing them in my drawer…never to be seen again…, but, I can see where it could work for some people LOL!!!!!!
Thanks, Patty, you’re the BEST!!
I like this better idea
To date– the calander is my source! 3 years ago, I gave “finally” to my 35 yr old daughter her baby book– and brought her up to high school years–which I knew she could do better than I could! She was thrilled. Dates, where, how many photos and the conversations –so just a drawer in the filing cabinet!
Glad for the information–you’ll make my life much easier, Patty!
Another great, useful idea! I took 2 of your classes in Louisville and learned so much. Plan on taking a couple more in Cincinnati. An online class or two would also be great. Sometimes repetition is key!
Such a great idea! I too often don’t get around to scrapping my photos for months. This will help my old brain to remember and include those priceless stories!
I feel like I’ve missed a lot of memories to go with photos. Thanks for this tip for me to use in the future.
I’m so bad with notes, always think I will remember, but I don’t …this sounds like a plan
Great tip! I usually write any important details, sayings, memories in my planner that I take with me on vacations and has all the activities and events I need to keep track of. The Organizer seems like a great place to transfer that info once you upload the pictures and begin looking at them (which is something I don’t always take care of in a timely fashion:-) Thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you for the invaluable information! I tell myself that I will longhand a journal to match up later with my photos. Who knows where the notes are that actually have made it onto paper…me (age 50 plus or 60 minus). Obviously I grew up before the computer age so I have to work a bit harder to accomplish some of these simple tasks. That’s why I have really enjoyed your First Book, “Digital & Hybrid Scrapbooking…” and now Basics and Beyond, which I just recently purchased. Thank you for helping an old dog learn new tricks.
I have a “Quote Book” that I use to document all the funny things my older son says.
What a precious moment to document! Quite humorous!
I use Photoshop and have occasionally entered info in the notes box but never thought to write in script form. Smart!
Thanks for the idea.
Oh Patty! I have your book, I have hundreds of dollars of digi supplies (gathered over four years), PSE 5&8 and still haven’t made a scapbook page!!! I take thousands of photos, store them in folders on my computer and when I open PSE 8 I try for hours at a time but get so frustrated that eventually I give up. But I’m determined to get there, and would like to do your class but would it be easier than just persevering with the book? I really need to get on with this as I’m sure once I master the program, there’ll be no stopping me! Don’t go anywhere soon as I’m sure this won’t be our last conversation. Cheers