I guess I should clarify a few things that seem confusing when I re-read the OP…
When I say “will still work” I am referring to the three layers of JD. His system is limited to 10 > 10 > 99 (Areas > Categories > ID) - my photo setup will be something more like 11 > 10 > ??? (Decade > Year > Event) I thought about adding one extra layer in there, the month, which would make the system more like 11 > 10 > 12 > ??? - the 12 being months. For everything since 2007 there would probably be content in each month. Prior to that, not necessarily. 2007 being when I got a new digital DSLR and just before the wife and I got smartphones and turned into photo-generating bots.
So while it mimics JD it deviates a bit. Still trying to keep the principles in mind.