As a professional photographer, I put a top priority on the preservation of my client’s images!  When I talk about creating legacies and documenting moments in families lives that can not be repeated, it is because I know that it is SO important to preserve these memories!  Here are just a few ways I delicately guard your images!  It is OK to ask the question of your photographer what their system is for protecting your images…actually, you need to ask!!

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2 Copies of Each Image Recorded Simultaneously

A few years ago, I invested in the Canon 5d Mark III (now I use the Canon 5D Mark IV), the #1 reason I felt it was so important to upgrade to this camera was for the ability to record to TWO memory cards at the same time.

That means, at Weddings, Births, Newborn Sessions, Family Sessions, etc. that each and every image I take is recorded to 2 different cards at the same time.  It really helps me to know that there is automatically a back-up from the beginning!  Cards do occasionally fail, so only recording images to one card is not an option I can settle on anymore.

Multiple Back-Ups

Once I get home, I take one of the Memory Cards and back it up to my Desktop Computer.  This computer automatically backs up to an External Hard Drive and also to the Cloud.  I also use a different External Hard Drive for my laptop to edit images.  So, by the time I am ready to Cull and Edit your images, there are literally, 6 copies of the RAW files in multiple locations.

Having multiple storage places for the files allows for safe keeping in the event of a power surge that takes out a computer, hard drive failure, memory card failure and other things that can happen. 

Why the Cloud too?

Cloud Storage is the best option for an off-site storage in the event that a fire or other casualty takes out all the other copies.  Once the files have been edited, they are uploaded to an online gallery that will remain in the Cloud for 10 years for the Client to have access to.  

What Happens Next?

Once the files have been delivered to the client, I retain only the JPEG files that were edited.  These are kept in multiple locations, but ultimately, I rest in the assurance that I have delivered the files to my clients and also recommended that they create a couple back-ups of them as well.

I actually had a family come back to me years after a vow renewal to see if I still had their images because their home had burned…I was thankful that I did have all their Sessions safely stored!!

While this kind of post is not fun to talk about and honestly feels kinda morbid…bad things do happen, and it is my belief that if I can do anything in my power to prevent loss of memories, then I will do it!  Feel free to ask questions in the comments!! 

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