As a photographer and a mum myself, I know just how precious your photos are. Whether it’s your baby’s tiny fingers in those first newborn portraits, your growing bump, a giggling cake smash or a big family portrait – these are once-in-a-lifetime memories.
The sad truth is that digital files aren’t as safe as we’d like to think. Laptops break, phones get lost or stolen, and hard drives can fail without warning. That’s why it’s so important to back up your photos properly – ideally in more than one place.
Here’s my simple guide to keeping your images safe for years to come.
A tried-and-tested method to keep your photos safe is the 3-2-1 rule:
By spreading your backups across different locations, you’re protecting yourself against accidents, theft, or technical failures.
An external hard drive is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to back up your images.
Tip: Don’t rely on a USB stick alone; they’re small, easy to misplace and not designed for long-term storage.
Cloud storage means your photos are stored online, so even if your computer is lost or damaged, your images are still safe. Popular options include:
Make sure you regularly upload your photos, or better still, set your account to sync automatically.
While we live in a digital world, there’s nothing quite as reliable – or as joyful – as printed photos. Albums, framed prints, and wall art don’t rely on technology and can be treasured for generations.
I always encourage my clients to print their favourite images. Not only do they look beautiful in your home, but they’re also one of the safest ways to keep your memories alive.
The best time to back up your images is as soon as you receive them. It’s so easy to put it off and think you’ll do it later – but life gets busy, and weeks turn into months. Make it a little routine: download, save, back up.
Every now and again, it’s worth checking that your backups are working. Make sure you can still access your cloud account and open your files on your external drive. A few minutes of testing can save you years of heartache.
Your photos are some of the most precious possessions you’ll ever own. Taking a few simple steps now can give you peace of mind and ensure that your memories are safe for generations to come.
As part of your photoshoot experience with me, you’ll receive high-resolution digital images, beautifully edited and ready to download. I always recommend downloading and backing them up straight away – and, of course, consider investing in professionally printed products so you can enjoy your favourite images every day.