Start by locking down a naming convention that carries date, time, and location in the file name so you can sort just by the file system. Then feed each photo into a small database—maybe SQLite or a cloud sheet—where you store the EXIF data and add your own tags like mood or color temperature. Write a quick script that auto‑extracts the standard metadata and lets you add a couple custom fields in a spreadsheet or a simple form. When a new trend hits, just add a new column or tag set, and run the script again; the old entries stay untouched. Keep everything version‑controlled and backed up, and you'll never lose that perfect archive even when the aesthetic shifts.