[logella]

I'm a very recent switcher with a new 20 inch iMac. I've started moving my pictures over from my PC and am wondering what is the best way to organize the photos and then ultimately back them up. What I've noticed is that everything gets dumped into the main library. I then created a sub-folder within iPhoto (for example 2007) and then within the sub-folder I've created albums (e.x. 2007 - Soccer Games). Is this the best way to organize everything. Once I start loading all of our older pictures the library is going to get pretty darn big. We've got literally thousands of pictures.

[quicktimekirk]

Let iPhoto handle all of the organizing. Everything will be kept in one folder (iPhoto Library inside your User/Pitcures folder).
Do not edit this structure by moving or adding folders via the Finder.
Backing up is as simple as copying the entire iPhoto Library folder to DVD (if file size permits) or external hard drive.
You can "share" this user Library with other accounts on your machine or network (System Preferences/Sharing/Firewall).

[OldToad]

If you had your photos organized by folder beforehand you can import those folders of photo into iPhoto and they will end up as rolls in the main library window. The roll title will be the same as the title of the folder you imported. That will give you your first crack at organization. As QuickTimeKirk said, do not ever move, rename or do anything inside the iPhoto Library folder while in the Finder. All organization should take place in the iPhoto application's window.
Besides albums you can create smart albums based on some criteria you set. It can be a date range, a keyword, a file name or part of a file name, etc. You can also create folders in the Source pane to hold albums, slideshows, books and other folders. Those folders cannot hold photos, however.

[dougster]

-Hi,
iPhoto can handle way over 200,000 photos depending on your RAM and HD space. And as -QTK mentioned all your photos are kept in the main library but the sub-folders are great for keeping them in the order you want.
You can find out more by clicking on Help in iPhoto menu. [More Info Here]

[bruine]

And if you af the patience, assigning keyword can be very convenient later.

[dmtherob]

Speaking of useing keywords, what is the best (fastest) way to keyword photo's.