A photo manager helps you care for, organise, preserve and enjoy your photographs.

At RJ Photo Management, this may include organising printed photo collections, scanning photographs, restoring damaged images or creating thoughtfully designed photo books and keepsakes.

The process is tailored to your collection, your priorities and what you would ultimately like to do with your photographs.

RJ Photo Management is based on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

Local services are available across the Mornington Peninsula and surrounding areas. Some projects can also be completed remotely for clients elsewhere in Victoria or Australia.

Please get in touch to discuss your location and the safest way to transfer your photographs.

You do not need to have everything worked out before getting in touch.

We can begin with a free 30-minute Photo Call to talk briefly about your photographs and what you would like help with. If your collection or project needs a closer look, a longer consultation may be recommended before a proposal is prepared.

The usual process is:

1. We begin with a brief conversation about your photographs, concerns and goals.
2. If needed, we arrange a consultation or assessment.
3. You receive a clearly defined proposal or service agreement outlining the recommended work, inclusions and estimated cost.
4. Work begins once you are comfortable with the agreed scope.

Larger collections can be divided into manageable stages, so you do not have to make every decision at once.

No. You don't need to sort, count, or organise everything before contacting me.

Photographs stored in boxes, bags, envelopes and mixed collections are very common. We can work together to determine what is there and which parts of the collection are most important to you.

You are not alone. Many people delay dealing with their photographs because the collection feels too large, too emotional, or too difficult to make a start.

RJ Photo Management uses a calm, client-led process. Your project can be broken into smaller stages, with time to make decisions along the way. There is no expectation that everything must be completed at once.

Yes. Printed photographs can be carefully sorted into a structure that makes sense for you and your family. Depending on the collection, this may be by date, family member, event, place, theme or life stage.

The project can also include identifying duplicates, separating unsuitable storage materials, adding simple labelling and recommending photo-safe storage options.

Yes. I can assess the album, its condition and what you hope to preserve.

Depending on the album, options may include documenting its original layout, scanning the photographs, creating a digital record, rehousing photographs or using the images to create a new album or photo book.

If an album requires specialist physical repair or conservation, I may recommend an appropriate bookbinder or conservator.

RJ Photo Management can scan many types of printed photographs, including loose prints, small bundles, and selected album photographs.

Oversized, framed, fragile, curled or unusually shaped items may require a different capture method and are assessed individually. Album pages, photograph backs, letters, documents, and memorabilia can also be discussed when they form an important part of your family story.

Yes, when requested or when the information on the back is important.

Names, dates, handwritten notes, studio markings and other details can provide valuable context. Scanning photograph backs or accompanying memorabilia may involve an additional cost and will be included in the project scope where appropriate.

Owning the printed photograph does not always mean that you own the copyright, but this is often quite simple to clarify.

Check the front and back of the photograph for a photographer or studio name, then contact them and explain that you would like the image scanned or restored for personal or family use. Many photographers are happy to provide written permission in these circumstances. 

The client is responsible for contacting the photographer or copyright holder and obtaining any required permission; RJ Photo Management does not make these enquiries on your behalf.

If the photographer is no longer operating or you are unsure who took the photograph, please mention this when you enquire so we can talk through the next step.

Depending on the project, you may receive high-quality TIFF files for preservation and JPEG copies for easy viewing, sharing and everyday use.

Files are clearly named and arranged into folders. Where helpful, a notes folder with project information and download guidance is also included.

Your digital files can be delivered through a private Google Drive folder, on a USB thumb drive or on an external hard drive, depending on the size of your collection and your preferred method.

You may supply a suitable drive, or RJ Photo Management can arrange one for you as part of your project.

Scanning creates a high-quality digital copy, but it does not automatically repair damage.

Basic adjustments may improve the appearance of some scans. Photographs with fading, tears, marks, colour changes or missing areas may require a separate restoration assessment.

Restoration may help with:

• Fading or colour changes
• Dust, scratches and marks
• Tears and creases
• Stains or damaged backgrounds
• Missing or deteriorated areas
• Overall tonal and contrast improvement

Every photograph is different. I will assess what can be improved while keeping the result natural and respectful of the original image.

No. Restoration is completed using a digital copy of the photograph. The physical original is not painted over, cut or permanently changed.

Not always. The outcome depends on the condition of the original and how much visual information remains.

Some photographs can be significantly improved, while others may only allow for a careful partial restoration. The aim is to achieve the best natural result possible without inventing important details that cannot be reliably determined

The agreed restoration scope and review process will be explained before work begins. If further work is requested beyond the original scope, RJ Photo Management will discuss any additional costs with you before continuing.

Yes. RJ Photo Management creates personalised photo books that bring important photographs and their stories together in a format that is easy to enjoy and share.

This may include family history books, milestone books, travel memories, tribute books, children’s artwork books and other meaningful keepsakes.

Not necessarily.

If you already have a selected collection, I can design the book using the photographs you provide. If your photos still need to be reviewed, selected, scanned or organised, these services can be included as an additional stage of the project.

Every collection has its own story, condition and challenges. If you are unsure whether RJ Photo Management can help, you are welcome to get in touch.