#TipTuesday: The Best Way to Save Your Digital Photos
These are not just pictures, they’re precious memories that you can never get back. Learn how to keep them safe so you that you can revisit and relive those moments for decades to come.
Photography is my passion, and not just because I enjoy the art behind it, but because I feel so strongly about capturing the precious, small moments in life that are literally once-in-a-lifetime. These images are not just pictures, they’re tangible evidence of love, laughter, and joy that you’ve shared with your family over the years.
The beauty of a photograph is that it’s a way for you to relive those memories any time you want, and that is a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, things can happen that are beyond our control. Digital photos can be erased, physical pictures can be damaged, and although new pictures can be taken, there’s just no replacing the ones you lost. I’ve had many clients come back to me to get new photos taken, and as much as I LOVE working with clients who’ve graced my studio with their presence in the past, I’d rather it be to capture new memories instead of trying to replace old ones. Here are some tips that I’ve gathered over my years in this profession to help you preserve your images.
Use Online Storage
Cloud-based storage is a great option to save your photos. Since there’s no physical storage device, you don’t have to worry about anything being lost or damaged, and many of them are either free or very affordable. The downside to this type of storage is that you’ll need internet access to upload and access your photos, but the pros outweigh that con.
iCloud
If you have an Apple device, you can use Apple iCloud. The only drawback is that the storage space is limited, but you have the option to purchase extra storage space if you need it.
Amazon Prime
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you have access to Amazon Photos, which gives you unlimited photo storage. Even if you aren’t a Prime member, there are payment options to access just the storage feature.
Here’s an option that I’ll bet you’ve never considered: your social media feed can be your photo storage! Although this isn’t what Facebook is conventionally used for, you have the ability to upload photos, categorize them into albums, and even edit the settings on your profile so that the images can only be viewed by you…absolutely free.
Save Your Images in Multiple Places
When talking about images, I’m not just referring to the ones that you get professionally taken for newborn, maternity or family sessions. I’m also referring to the ones you snap with your phone or other device. You just never know when technology will fail you. Your computer could crash, your phone could get misplaced, and as much as the internet is a life-saving tool, we could see the day when an online storage database gets wiped out. In addition to using an online storage service, you should have your images saved in a couple of other ways to make sure that if something happens, you’re still able to find them.
Download Your Photos to a computer
Create a folder for all of your pictures and organize them into smaller sub-folders so that they’re easier to find. For example, you could have one main “photos” folder, then a “2020” folder, and a “Baby’s First Birthday” folder.
Save Your Images to an External Hard Drive
As I mentioned, you should have a backup for your backup. Computers only come equipped with so much storage space, so a hard drive will not only free up space on your computer, but it will provide an additional place to safeguard your images in case something happens to your computer.
Print and Store Your Photos in an album or fireproof box
There was a time (which many of us can’t even remember now) when printing our photos was the only way to enjoy them. Although it seems old-fashioned in this digital age, printing your pictures will not only give you another way to preserve them, but you’ll also be able to display them in your home where your whole family can enjoy them. Children especially love to see their pictures on display, because it makes them feel special and loved. Put a few pictures of your kids up around the house and watch how that will be the first stop they make with any visitors!
No matter which storage method you choose, just be sure to safeguard your photos in more than one place, and that way you can rest easy, knowing that your family’s precious memories are safe.
Follow me on social media to see some of the gorgeous photos I’ve had the pleasure of capturing for my clients!