We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rachel Arbuckle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The idea for 2000 Paces Photo Organizing came to me during a moment I’ll never forget. In 2014, wildfires were sweeping through San Diego County, and we had to prepare to evacuate our home. As I rushed to gather our most important things, I realized how scattered our family photos were—some in boxes, some in albums, others in frames. There was no easy way to grab them all, and it left me feeling overwhelmed and unprepared.

Even after the danger passed, that feeling stuck with me. I kept thinking—if it was that hard for me, how many other families were in the same boat? That experience sparked an idea: to help people take control of their photo collections, so their memories are protected, organized, and easy to access. That’s when 2000 Paces Photo Organizing was born. The name reflects the emotional journey—how every photo is a step closer to the stories and people we cherish.

Rachel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

2000 Paces Photo Organizing is dedicated to helping people preserve, protect, and make sense of their photo collections. Our services are designed for anyone feeling overwhelmed by years—or even decades—of printed and digital images. We step in to bring order to the chaos and transform a mess of memories into something meaningful, manageable, and secure.

At 2000 Paces, we specialize in both print and digital photo organizing. For printed materials, we sort loose photos, albums, and memorabilia chronologically or by event, assign names and labels, prepare for digitizing, and provide safe, archival storage. For digital collections, we gather images from multiple devices (phones, computers, external drives, cloud accounts), eliminate duplicates, organize them by date and event, and use facial recognition and keywords to make photos easily searchable.

We also offer:

Digitizing Services: Converting prints, slides, negatives, and home movies into high-quality digital files

Custom Photo Books: Beautifully designed, story-driven books for families, milestones, weddings, and memorials

Slideshow Creation: Professionally crafted photo and video slideshows for events like birthdays, celebrations of life, and family reunions

Legacy Projects: Organizing and digitizing historical collections for schools, institutions, or estates

Backup & Preservation: Setting up cloud and local backups to protect collections long-term

What truly sets us apart is our personalized, white-glove approach. We don’t offer cookie-cutter packages—we meet each client where they are, listen to their goals and pain points, and tailor every project accordingly. Our team blends modern tools with a deep respect for personal stories, and we treat every collection like it’s our own.

I’m incredibly proud of the growth we’ve achieved—what began as a solo effort has become a thriving, nationwide team and a business approaching half a million dollars in annual revenue. But even more than that, I’m proud of the impact we’ve had on the lives of our clients. We’ve helped people preserve family legacies, reconnect with lost moments, and feel the peace of knowing their memories are safe and shareable.

At the end of the day, we’re not just organizing photos—we’re preserving lives, stories, and legacies. And if there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s this: your memories matter, and you don’t have to tackle the overwhelm alone. We’re here to help you protect what matters most.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots I’ve had to make in my business happened during the pandemic. Like many small businesses, we had to shut down our physical office and transition to working from home—something that felt completely counter to how I’d built 2000 Paces.

I had intentionally created a brick-and-mortar space in a secure business park to give clients peace of mind. After all, they were entrusting us with their most precious memories—photos, videos, keepsakes—and I wanted them to know those items were being cared for in a professional, safe, and dedicated environment. In addition, so much of our strength as a team came from collaboration and in-person problem-solving. Suddenly, all of that had to change.

There was also the very real fear that we might have to shut down entirely. At the beginning of the pandemic, people were understandably tightening their spending, and I worried that photo organizing might not be seen as an essential service during such uncertain times.

But two really positive things came from that pivot:

First, we restructured our team. Instead of each team member being involved in every part of a project, we shifted to a department-based model. Each person became a specialist in a specific area—like scanning, digital organizing, design, or client care. This made remote work more efficient and allowed us to hire more intentionally for specific skill sets. It streamlined our operations in a way that we’ve kept to this day.

Second, while we were all shuttered in our homes, something surprising happened—people started opening their closets and pulling out those old, dusty boxes of photos, videos, and memorabilia. They had time to reflect, and many realized they wanted to preserve and make sense of their collections. That brought new clients our way, and in some cases, clients who had been putting off these projects for years.

What felt like a crisis at first actually helped us grow stronger as a team, refine our business model, and reaffirm our purpose. It was a turning point I never expected, but one I’m incredibly grateful for.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe my reputation—and the reputation of 2000 Paces Photo Organizing—has been built on a foundation of trust, empathy, and consistently high-quality work. When clients hand over their photos, videos, and personal memories, they’re not just giving us physical items—they’re entrusting us with part of their life story. I take that responsibility seriously, and I’ve worked hard to create a business culture that reflects that care at every level.

From day one, I focused on delivering a white-glove, personalized experience. We don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Every project is tailored to the client, and we take the time to understand their goals, their stories, and what really matters to them. That attention to detail and genuine connection has led to word-of-mouth referrals, repeat clients, and long-term relationships.

Another key factor has been transparency and professionalism. Whether it’s through clear communication, secure handling of irreplaceable items, or consistent follow-through, we’ve earned a reputation for being a business people can rely on.

I’m also proud of the team we’ve built. I’ve been intentional about hiring people who not only have technical skill but who genuinely care about the work and our clients. That passion and integrity comes through in every interaction, and it’s helped reinforce a brand that people trust.

Ultimately, I think our reputation has grown because we’re not just organizing photos—we’re helping people reconnect with their memories, preserve legacies, and find peace of mind. That kind of impact resonates, and it’s what keeps people coming back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.2000paces.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2000paces/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2000PacesPhotoOrganizing/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelarbuckle
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@2000paces
• Other: https://www.2000paces.com/brochure/2000PacesBrochure

Image Credits

Credit: Riley Golden