Do I need to organize my photos before bringing them to a photo manager?

Not at all. Most families come specifically because the project feels too big to tackle alone. Bring the boxes, bags, albums, and shoeboxes exactly as they are. Sorting and organizing is part of the service.

About Ty Thomas | Certified Photo Manager | Madison, WI

Q: How much does it cost to work with a certified photo manager in Madison, WI?

Every collection is different, so custom quotes are provided after an initial free discovery call. Pricing depends on the volume and condition of materials, the level of organization needed, and any special formats involved such as slides, negatives, or home movies.

Q: Can a certified photo manager help with photos during a divorce?

Yes. A certified photo manager works as a neutral third party to catalog, organize, and copy a family's entire photo collection — digital and physical — during a separation. Both parties walk away with complete copies of every memory.

Why I started Photo Possible

Most of our lives' stories are captured only in a single place. Whether it's albums stored in an attic or files floating in a cloud, we owe it to future generations to be the stewards of these memories.

Photo Possible exists to help simplify the collection and storage of your photos and videos, so you can easily interact with and share those moments for years to come.

Imagine being able to share any of your photos instantly with the people next to you. We make this possible by digitizing and cataloging your collection, giving you the ability to access any photo at any time.

Photo Possible is the work of Ty Thomas, with the support of his over-the-shoulder consultant and wife, Ellie. My years of experience working with technology across multiple platforms assure I'll find the solution that's right for you.

Credentials

Certified Photo Manager in Wisconsin

I'm one of only three Certified Photo Managers in the entire state of Wisconsin — and the only one in the Madison area. I've completed an extensive certification program with The Photo Managers, the gold standard for professional photo management.

Find out what that means for your photos

What a Certified Photo Manager does differently

Anyone can buy a scanner. A certified photo manager knows how to scan your 1962 Kodachrome slides so the colors stay true, where to store your digital files so they're safe for decades, and why that water-damaged print from your parents' wedding can still be saved.

The CPM certification covers preservation standards, scanning technology, digital asset management, metadata, archival workflows, and professional ethics. It's the difference between copying files and curating a family legacy.

My work at Photo Possible spans photo scanning, digital organizing, custom presentations, home movie digitization, and photo division for separated families. The certification ties all of those services together with a professional standard of care your photos deserve.

Why Madison families choose a certified professional

"We have decades of photos and no idea where to start." Boxes in the basement, albums in the attic, slides in a shoebox. It feels overwhelming because it is overwhelming — unless it's literally your job.

"Mom is moving and we need to deal with 50 years of photos." There's a time pressure and an emotional weight that makes it hard to do alone. I bring both the technical skill and the sensitivity these projects require.

"We're going through a separation and need someone neutral." I work as a neutral third party to inventory, digitize, and divide family photo collections. Both parties receive complete digital copies. It's one of the reasons the CPM certification matters so much.

Madison, WI based

Locally owned & operated

Privacy-first approach

Partnered with TPM network

Common Questions

About Certified Photo Managers

What is a Certified Photo Manager?

A Certified Photo Manager (CPM) is a professional who has completed extensive training and examination through The Photo Managers, the industry's professional association. The certification verifies expertise in photo preservation, scanning technology, digital organization, metadata standards, and ethical handling of personal collections. There are currently only three CPMs in the state of Wisconsin.

How is a certified photo manager different from a scanning service?

A scanning service digitizes your photos. A certified photo manager provides the full picture: archival handling, proper scanning at the right resolution for each format, professional digital organization with metadata, long-term storage planning, and expert guidance on preservation.

How much does it cost to work with a certified photo manager in Madison, WI?

Every collection is different, so I provide custom quotes after our initial discovery call. Pricing depends on the volume and condition of your materials, the level of organization you need, and any special formats involved (slides, negatives, home movies). The discovery call is always free and there's no obligation.

Can a certified photo manager help with photos during a divorce?

Yes. I work as a neutral third party to catalog, organize, and copy a family's entire photo collection — shared iCloud libraries, Google Photos, devices, and physical albums — during a separation. Both parties walk away with complete copies of every memory. It's a sensitive process that benefits from professional, certified handling.

Do I need to organize my photos before bringing them to you?

Not at all. Most families come to me specifically because the project feels too big to tackle alone. Bring me the boxes, bags, albums, and shoeboxes exactly as they are. Sorting and organizing is part of what I do — and honestly, it's the part I enjoy most.

What drives us

Our values

Hands carefully holding a photo — privacy and care

Privacy First

Your photos are personal. We treat every collection with the same care and confidentiality we'd want for our own family's memories.

Two people sharing a photo album together

Personal Service

You work directly with Ty — not a call center, not a rotating team. One person who knows your project inside and out.

Tailored Solutions

Every collection is different. We build a custom plan around your specific photos, goals, and budget — no one-size-fits-all packages.

Meet Ty Thomas, Your Certified Photo Manager in Madison, WI