Keep the originals and the story around them.
Photos lose meaning when dates, people, and events disappear. Preserve original files alongside edited copies. Use year/event folders, correct capture dates when practical, and add names or captions to the library where your chosen service supports them.
A practical workflow
- Gather phone, camera, scanned-print, and old-video sources in one review folder.
- Remove only obvious duplicates after confirming originals remain.
- Store a master archive, a separate local backup, and an independent off-site backup.
- Share a curated library; do not make sharing the only copy.
- Once a year, open sample files from every copy and replace aging drives proactively.
Practical warning: messaging apps and social platforms often reduce quality. Treat them as sharing channels, not your master archive.