317tman wrote:
What is important is to use a system that makes sense to you.
This is the first 'rule' that should be followed. Set up how you want to organize in the same manner in which you 'think' about your photos. i.e. Events, people, category, place, date, job, .... Once you decide how you want to 'remember' your pics, there are a number of ways to tag them; keywords and file name; that will always be retained in the file's metadata. Then organize them into folders and sub-folders that is meaningful to you. All easier said then done. I agree that trial and error will ultimately bring you to your conclusion (for now).
But there is more to consider. Your editing program may be able to help you do all of this. Adobe, Capture 1... This means that you not only save your files in the manner recognized by the program, but also search for files within the program. This is not the same as searching for files in Windows Explorer or Mac's Spotlight.
Also, storage space will impact your decision making process. You can't, and should not, store all of your files in the same Catalog, or hard drive (backed up of course)! The bigger the Catalog, the slower your workflow will get. And, if your Catalog gets corrupted, there goes all of your edits to your pictures (assumes Raw processing). Your original files are safe though. And hopefully, your backups of both the files and catalogs, will solve these potential problems. And, with today's cameras, and large RAW file sizes, hard drive space will get eaten up quickly.
This is a lot to think about. Other's have suggested to watch videos and read blogs specifically relating to your question. Since you are a LR person; do this with specific guides for LR.
I was an Aperture guy. It took me about 2 years to finally find and convert my Aperture libraries to a new program. And, I am still refining how I organize my files.
Anecdotal situation. Just last week I asked my wife if we had ever been to Longwood Gardens. She said yes, but I couldn't find the pics. I went into my old Aperture Library and did a search for 'Longwood Gardens'. Yup, June 15th, 2012. If it was more recent, I would have needed to open each of my Capture 1 'Year' catalogs to find out. A little more effort, but works nonetheless.
Have fun figuring this out.