A digital image manager classifies digital images such as digital photographs for efficient retrieval. The digital image manager assigns a when value, a where value, a who value and a why value to digital images. Much of the value assignment process is automated to make digital image management easy for the user. The digital image manager classifies the digital images according to the assigned property values. The user subsequently enter search requests for digital images meeting desired criteria. The digital image manager uses the assigned values to locate and retrieve digital images that satisfy the user's request.