Projects / 05
Photo-library management
Keeping a growing family archive searchable, private and recoverable without creating another full-time system.
A library model that separates originals, derivatives, indexes and backups so each can be managed on its own terms.
The challenge
Photo libraries combine irreplaceable originals, large derived files, changing metadata and strong expectations that search will simply work.
The approach
- Treat originals as immutable and keep generated previews reproducible.
- Preserve portable metadata and avoid making one application the only route to the archive.
- Use multiple backup layers with a restore check that includes real files and metadata.
The result
A private archive that remains browsable day to day while retaining an understandable escape and recovery path.
What stayed useful
- A sync is not automatically a backup.
- Search indexes are disposable; originals are not.
- Portability matters most when the current tool is working well.