Photo Backup & Storage Tips

Wondering about Photo backup & storage tips? It’s something that is likely on your to-do list, but either seems overwhelming, or you just aren’t sure where to turn or how to start.

If this sounds like you, keep reading- I’ve easy photo backup & storage tips that won’t take you all day or cost you a million dollars:

Where to start

So you’ve got your photo session finished and received your photos back from your photographer. And, now they are sitting on a usb or an online gallery. Sound familiar?

We are all guilty of letting our photos sit for way longer than we intended. But, lets be real- It’s such a waste to let those photos sit around on your computer and not be able to enjoy them! You’ve invested in these photos. Invest in storing them properly so they aren’t lost!

Side note: Chances are this is in your photographer’s contract. But, your photographer is in no way obligated to store your photos after they deliver them to you. Now, a lot of photographers still have access and or do store your photo session for their purposes. But, they legally do not need to store them (unless of course their contract states this). It is your responsibility to make sure your photos are backed up safely.

Step by step:

1. Utilize folders: As soon as you receive your photos from your photographer, whether it is on a usb, or online gallery, download them to your preferred location on your computer (see #2) Label that folder immediately! (I.e Fall Family Photos 2021, Gracie’s 3rd Birthday, etc . . .) Easy enough, right? Simple task that I promise makes a huge difference.

2. Back them up: You do NOT want to loose these photos if your computer crashes! I recommend having an external hard drive (I use wd elements hard drives, and haven’t had an issue) that auto backs up to a cloud service every time it is plugged in, (I love backblaze) make sure to follow tip #1 when exporting them onto your hard drive to keep them organized.

3. Print upon receiving: This one is gold, but requires a bit of preparation. Here’s the thing, I’m sure you are swooning over your images that your photographer took. I’m betting that you’ve posted them on social media where all your family and friends are commenting with how beautiful you are, how much the kids have grown, and adding all the emojis. Which is great! But then, what? Surely, you’d like to enjoy them for more than just those few days. So, if you receive an online gallery that is connected to a professional company, take full advantage!

Most of these companies are not available to the general public, and are reserved for professionals, but . . . now you have access to one! Grab prints for a variety of frame sizes! Print extra’s to hand out to family members. Or, update your wallet photos, choose the perfect canvas for that blank wall in your living room, heck . . . grab an ornament or a few metal art prints for Christmas gifts! Do it while it’s fresh on your mind and you are in your gallery so it’s one less thing to do later! (Side note: if you are my client, I ALWAYS give you a custom discount code with your gallery delivery that last at least 3 months. USE IT)

4. Photo albums: Maybe I’m an old soul here, but . . . sitting down flipping through pages of memories in a photo album is still an awesome way to spend time with those you love. I talk about how much I loved looking at my grandma’s old albums in my “My Why” blog and how much I cherish those memories. It’s just not the same scrolling on your computer or phone. I like to get pictures printed 3-4x a year and then at the end of the year assemble an album of all our favorites. I love using digital images to make albums as well. Each year has its own album and our kids will often take them out and reminisce at all our adventures.

5. Make a favorites folder: As you upload your pictures and pull them into the allotted folder, do a quick look through and select your favorites. Drag those into their own folder and label it ‘favorites’. It makes it so simple and quick when going to print photos!

There you have it. Those are my favorite tips on keeping your photos safely backed up as well as organized! Got any more tips? Drop them below!

Here are just a few examples as to how I have used our photos in different ways in our home!