Imagine this: Your 10th wedding anniversary is coming up for you and your husband. (Not me freaking out that Justin and I are already halfway there…!) You never got around to making an album or prints after the big day and thought it would be cute idea to collect some of your images to use for an anni gift. The only problem is you can’t seem to find ANY of the photos. You no longer recall where they were backed up (if they were at all?) and the panic begins to set in.
This is just an example of many could-be scenarios that show why backing up your wedding images is SUCH an important step after you receive them!
Today, I want to share with you tips that will leave you knowing without a doubt that your images are safe & secure (in multiple places). And for those of you who are not as technologically savvy, I promise to make this as easy to understand so you too feel your images are properly stored (Bonus- you will also acquire some new skills!)
To start, we’re introducing you today to your new best friend- the 3-2-1 rule. This rule originated in the IT world as a practice for backing up computer data. Now many photographers (including Justin & I ;) ) follow it for safeguarding images. The rule simply states saving three copies of your data, in at least two different ways, and one of them as an offsite copy. Ultimately, the big idea behind it is to have your images stored in various, different places. This way if your internet crashes or you misplace your album, you can rest easy knowing you were proactive and still have a copy or two of your images safe & secure!
Ansley and Sean embracing after their first look.
Suggested place number 1: Online storage providers
There is a multitude of providers to choose from! A few we can recommend are Microsoft One Drive, Dropbox, and Google Drive. A storage provider is a relatively inexpensive option and is usually pretty straightforward for uploading your photos to :)
Charley and John strolling down the aisle.
Suggested place number 2: External hard drives
An external hard drive is another place we’d highly recommend backing up your photos. Having an external hard drive ensures your photos are doubly secure in a place beside an online platform! While more expensive than storing with an online storage provider, external hard drives are great in that they usually come with even more storage capacity. In addition, many are water-proof, drop-proof, and have high speeds making them a quick, easy, and safe option for putting images on. All you have to do is plug them into a computer. We’ve linked one of the most popular hard drive options that photographers and others alike love here. You can also store this at a loved ones home so if there were a fire, flood, or some other crazy scenario that might compromise any prints or albums in your own home, you’ve got everything safe and sound somewhere else!
Ragan and Barrett’s bride and groom portraits.
Suggested place number 3: Albums & Prints
I can give so many reasons as to why purchasing an album is always the best choice (and I do in my album blog linked here) but just the simple act of storage is another one. Having an album as a final location to keep your images is the most special place of all because owning a physical copy of your most important day that you can hold in your hands and relive over & over again is truly priceless. (Our wedding day album is sitting right on the coffee table where I often find myself flipping through it and appreciating the memories of the best day ever!) Prints are also a nice alternative to put in frames and place around your home to enjoy every day. Either way, nothing beats having a physical copy of special moments from your wedding. They are right at your fingertips and come without all the hassle of technology.
Alex and Billy preparing to make their exit.
So there you have it- the 3-2-1 rule for having multiple copies of your photos. Three copies, at least two of which are different types, and one stored somewhere else.
This is the final and most important step to make sure your precious wedding day images are kept safe and sound forever!
XO,
Ashley
