diff --git a/util/import_photos.py b/util/import_photos.py
index 32a4065..9fd21a7 100644
--- a/util/import_photos.py
+++ b/util/import_photos.py
@@ -6,9 +6,50 @@ import filetype
 from os import path, walk
 from sys import argv, stderr
 from shutil import move
+from fractions import Fraction
 import sqlite3
 
 
+def decimal_from_rational64u(dms: str, ref):
+    """Convert coordinates from rational64u EXIF uses to represent
+    degrees, minutes, and seconds of a point to decimal format
+    Take into account reference cardinal direction and
+    turn [S]outh and [W]est coordinates negative
+
+    General formula is
+    dec_degree = degreesNumerator / degreesDenominator
+                 + minutesNumerator / minutesDenominator / 60
+                 + secondsNumerator / secondsDenominator / 3600
+
+    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_coordinate_conversion
+    https://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/136925/how-to-parse-exif-gps-information-to-lat-lng-decimal-numbers
+
+    >>> decimal_from_rational64u(dms="42/1, 18/1, 2914/100", "S")
+    -42.30809
+    """
+
+    # 1 split by comma
+    # 2 turn each into Fraction
+    # 3 zip fractions with their respective (degrees, minutes, seconds) denominator
+    # 4 divide the fraction
+    # 5 sum up the result
+    # 6 convert to decimal
+    # 7 round to 5th decimal point
+    dec_coordinates = round(
+        float(
+            sum(
+                a / b
+                for (a, b) in zip((Fraction(f) for f in dms.split(",")), (1, 60, 3600))
+            )
+        ),
+        5,
+    )
+    if ref in ("S", "W"):
+        dec_coordinates = -dec_coordinates
+
+    return dec_coordinates
+
+
 def process_pictures(source: str, dest_shrunk: str, dest_original: str):
     """Process images from the base directory in the first command line argument.
     Place the resized copies to dest_shrunk and
@@ -53,10 +94,12 @@ def process_pictures(source: str, dest_shrunk: str, dest_original: str):
                 "ResizedImage": path.join(dest_shrunk, filename),
                 "OriginalImage": path.join(dest_original, filename),
                 "DateTimeOriginal": exif["DateTimeOriginal"],  # Q: normalize it?
-                "GPSLatitude": exif["GPSLatitude"],
-                "GPSLatitudeRef": exif["GPSLatitudeRef"],
-                "GPSLongitude": exif["GPSLongitude"],
-                "GPSLongitudeRef": exif["GPSLongitudeRef"],
+                "GPSLatitude": decimal_from_rational64u(
+                    exif["GPSLatitude"], exif["GPSLatitudeRef"]
+                ),
+                "GPSLongitude": decimal_from_rational64u(
+                    exif["GPSLongitude"], exif["GPSLongitudeRef"]
+                ),
             }
         except KeyError as e:
             print(f"Image '{filename}' has no valid exif")
@@ -78,18 +121,14 @@ def update_database(pic_info: dict, db_location: str):
         """INSERT INTO images(resizedpath, 
                             origpath, 
                             date, 
-                            GPSLatitude, 
-                            GPSLatitudeRef, 
-                            GPSLongitude, 
-                            GPSLongitudeRef)
+                            GPSLatitude,
+                            GPSLongitude)
 
         VALUES             (:ResizedImage, 
                             :OriginalImage, 
                             :DateTimeOriginal, 
                             :GPSLatitude, 
-                            :GPSLatitudeRef, 
-                            :GPSLongitude, 
-                            :GPSLongitudeRef)
+                            :GPSLongitude)
     """,
         pic_info,
     )
@@ -120,10 +159,8 @@ def check_database(database_path: str):
                     resizedpath TEXT NOT NULL,
                     origpath TEXT NOT NULL,
                     date TEXT,  
-                    GPSLatitude TEXT,  
-                    GPSLatitudeRef TEXT,  
-                    GPSLongitude TEXT, 
-                    GPSLongitudeRef TEXT
+                    GPSLatitude REAL,  
+                    GPSLongitude REAL 
                     )"""
         )
         con.commit()