A POP Studies program from Penobscot Marine Museum
Instructors, Kevin Johnson, Photo Archivist and Matt Wheeler, Digital Collections Curator
In this day and age, everyone has their own photography archive—typically made up of photos they have taken or acquired throughout their lives. These may include family albums, boxes of prints, negatives and slides, and digital photographs taken with cameras or phones. Managing a mass of images can be a daunting task. This course will offer tips and suggestions on how to organize your archive, find what you are looking for in it, and be prepared to pass it on to the next generation.
Topics Covered:
- Organizing and archivally storing your physical photographs, negatives & albums
- Organizing your digital photos on your computer and setting up a digital archive
- Naming and/or numbering your files, understanding metadata and creating a basic finding aid
Program Benefits:
- Learn how and where to store your physical photographic materials
- Set up a digital archive on your computer where all your digital photos can be stored AND found later
- Leave an archive for your heirs that will be useful, helpful and organized.
Target Audience:
- Museum professionals
- Historical society staff or volunteers
- Schools
- Libraries
- Community Members
Experience Level: Appropriate for both Novice and Intermediate
- Novice - Has minimal or textbook knowledge without connecting it to the practice
- Intermediate - Has basic knowledge of key aspects of the practice
Program Fee: $60 (MAM members receive 20% discount with code MAM20)
Contact Hours: 2
Delivery: Lecture/Hands on
Dates and Locations (choose one):
Friday, Sept 5, 2025
10:00am – 12:00pm
On campus, Penobscot Marine Museum
Friday, Feb 6, 2026
10:00am – 12:00pm
Remote via Zoom
Friday, June 5, 2026
10:00am – 12:00pm
Off Campus, Belfast Free Library
Contact: For more information, please contact Shelly Patten, Office Manager at 207-548-2529 or spatten@pmm-maine.org
This is a POP Studies program from the Penobscot Marine Museum.
Register: https://form.jotform.com/250435068978064
About the Instructors:
Kevin Johnson, Photo Archivist
kjohnson@pmm-maine.org
Kevin Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University and a Professional Certificate in Photography from the Maine Photographic Workshops. Kevin has served as the Photo Archivist at PMM since 2007 and has grown the Museum’s collection to more than 500,000 photographs. Since joining PMM, he has curated or co-curated more than 30 photography exhibits. He is the co-author of Maine on Glass: The Early Twentieth Century in Glass Plate Photography, author of the forthcoming Boothbay Now and Then, and is a regular contributor to several area publications. Kevin was a co-founder and co-owner of Aarhus Gallery in Belfast. He occasionally finds time to pursue his personal photography.
Matt Wheeler, Digital Curator
mwheeler@pmm-maine.org
Matt Wheeler serves as the Digital Curator at PMM and has been working in the Museum's Photo Archives since 2011. His educational experience includes coursework in digital curation from University of Maine, Orono, as well as ongoing professional development in evolving standards of best practices in the industry. He guides PMM in building sound digital collections with an eye to accessibility and sustainability. Matt grew up in Camden and Lincolnville, living on and appreciating Penobscot Bay and enjoys engaging audiences in the digital age with stories of Penobscot Bay's cultural heritage. His personal photography explores the rich natural settings of the region.
