What to Do with Your Scanned Photos: A Simple Guide for Mac & PC Users

You’ve taken on the daunting task to scan your photos. Or, you’ve had your photos scanned. Now what?

If you aren’t using a service such as Picturli, chances are you just have scans that now need to be processed. They may not be rotated, or renamed, and will definitely not be re-dated. While some of the steps of processing scans are doable no matter what type of computer you use, other tasks such as re-dating will need a be more technical knowledge as well as special programs. So, we won’t be talking about that here.

📦 Step 1: Back Up & Format Your Thumb Drive (Optional but Recommended)

We recommend formatting your USB drive to keep it clean and compatible with both Mac and Windows, especially if you plan to organize, rename, or move your files.

💻 For Mac Users:

1. Insert your USB drive.

2. Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility).

3. Select your USB drive in the sidebar.

4. Click Erase.

5. Choose ExFAT as the format (works on both Mac & PC). We prefer Journaled if you’re just using it on a Mac.

6. Name your drive something like FamilyPhotos and click Erase.

🖥️ For PC Users (Windows 10/11):

1. Plug in your USB drive.

2. Open File Explorer, right-click the drive, and select Format.

3. Under File system, choose exFAT.

4. Check Quick Format, name your drive, and click Start.

⚠️ Important: Be sure to back up your files first—formatting will erase everything on the drive.

🗂 Step 2: Organize Your Photos by Date & Event

We recommend organizing your photos chronologically first, and then grouping them by meaningful events. Examples might include:

• 1995 Halloween

• 2002 Hanukkah

• 2010 Christmas

• 1995 Grandma’s 90th Birthday

Organizing by person is not recommended—most photos have multiple people, which makes person-based filing confusing and inconsistent. Date-based structure keeps your photo library sortable and searchable. A simple, accurate, and easy way to navigate.

🔄 Step 3: Rotate Crooked Images

Some images may be sideways or upside down. Here’s how to quickly rotate them:

✅ On a Mac:

1. Open the photo in Preview.

2. Click the Rotate icon in the toolbar (or use Command + L).

3. Save and close.

To rotate multiple images:

• Select them all, open in Preview, rotate in batches, then File > Save All.

✅ On a PC:

1. Select the image in File Explorer.

2. Right-click and choose Rotate Right or Rotate Left.

3. You can do this with multiple images at once!

✏️ Step 4: Rename Your Files

Renaming your photos makes it easier to search and sort them later.
Try this format:
[Year]-[Event]-[# or keyword].jpg
Example: 1992-Birthday-01.jpg

💡 Quick Rename Tools:

• Mac: Use Finder > Rename to rename a group of selected files.

• PC: Use the right-click > Rename tool or try a free app like Bulk Rename Utility.

💬 Need Help With the Heavy Lifting?

If organizing, rotating, renaming, or dating your photos feels overwhelming, we’re here to help! At Picturli, we offer:

• ✅ Photo curation and file renaming

• ✅ Date tagging, keywording & metadata organization

• ✅ Custom photo book design

• ✅ Family history preservation & storytelling

📅 Schedule a free consultation: https://www.picturli.com/contact

🌟 You Did Something Amazing

You’ve just preserved memories that might have otherwise been lost. Now’s the time to give them the attention and order they deserve. Whether you’re tackling it on your own or want a little guidance, you’re not alone—we’re here to help you bring your family’s story to life.