Tips for Backing Up Your Photos Before an Emergency
With the recent fires devastating so many homes, it’s a heartbreaking reminder of how important it is to safeguard what truly matters—our memories. I know it made me rethink a lot of preparations, but one thing I knew I didn't have to worry about were pictures.
I've photographed over 100 families and hundreds of students, but after a crashed hard drive years ago, I take my photo backup process seriously. It's heartbreaking to lose family memories, whether from an emergency or because of a faulty hard drive. Backing up in multiple locations is so important..AND EASY. That’s why I want to share a simple guide on how to back up your photos so that no matter what happens, your memories are safe.
These tips aren't just for your professional pictures, they're for all your special moments, whether they're on your phone, your home computer or in boxes in your garage.
Step 1: Use an External Hard Drive
One of the easiest ways to back up your digital photos is to store them on an external hard drive. Here’s how:
- Invest in a reliable external hard drive (like a WD My Passport or Seagate Backup Plus).
- Copy your favorite images and organize them into folders by year, event, or family member.
Step 2: Upload to Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is THE BEST WAY to keep your photos safe because it allows you to access them from anywhere. All your photos should be in Cloud Storage. Every single one. I know we all know this, but have you done it? All those pictures in the garage, the family history - are they in the cloud? It's the only true way to keep them safe from natural disasters.
Consider these options:
- Google Photos (free up to 15GB, then paid plans)
- Apple iCloud (great for Apple users)
- Dropbox or OneDrive (good for extra storage and organization)
- Amazon Photos (free unlimited storage for Prime members)
Tip: Set your phone or computer to automatically back up photos to the cloud so you don’t have to think about it!
Step 3: Scan and Digitize Old Photos
This is the one that is so hard to prioritize, but is so devastating to lose. If you have printed photos that mean the world to you, now is the time to scan them and save them digitally. When my mom passed away, I purchased a scanner, and we scanned every old picture in every box we could find. It took some time, but it was well worth it. Not just for emergency's sake, but to have all of those old photos easily accessible now is a gift. And for my kids to now have easy accessibility to my childhood pictures as digitals is a gift for them. Force yourself to prioritize this one. You won't regret it. Here’s how:
- At-Home Scanning: Use a high-quality scanner like the Epson FastFoto FF-680W for quick, bulk scanning. I personally used the Plustek Z300, and it worked great, scanning pictures directly into the cloud.
- Professional Services: Companies like ScanMyPhotos or Legacybox can digitize your prints, slides, and negatives for you.
- Once scanned, save them to both a hard drive and cloud storage for extra security.
Our memories are too precious to lose. Taking a few simple steps today can ensure your photos are protected no matter what comes your way. If you have any questions or need help choosing the best backup option, feel free to reach out!