Photographers Backup System

Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned professional, all photographers need a backup system in place. Today I am sharing my whole photographers backup system with you!

Step 1: FORMAT CARDS BEFORE USE IN CAMERA

Before a session, I use an SD card formatted in camera. I never shoot more than one session on a card. that means I have a LOT of SD cards.

Step 2: COPY SD CARDS TO EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE

After each session, I remove SD card and place it into my card reader connected to my MAC. I open the file containing the original RAW images and COPY them into a CLIENT FOLDER. I copy, not MOVE. It’s important to keep them on the original SD card. I also have Time Machine installed to automatically copy my main external drive to a 2nd external drive. 

Here’s what every one of my client folders look like.

Step 3: PLACE SD CARD IN FIREPROOF SAFE UNTIL IMAGES ARE DELIVERED

I use plain old #10 envelopes for this. I add the session name and date to the front of the envelope, seal it and place in fireproof safe. This part of the process is very helpful to ensure that I do not reuse a card until the session has been delivered.

Step 4: EDIT & DELIVER SESSION

After exporting images from LR to Client file marked JPEG I start the upload for delivery using Shootproof! This is my 3rd backup of my session because even after my client downloads their images, I have the ability to archive the project. Read more HERE on Shootproof’s blog. I should also add that even if you don’t use Shootproof, they have some amazing resources on their blog! Check it out!

*I will be updating this with an entire blog post dedicated to my editing process, stay tuned!

Step 5: MOVE LR CATALOG TO CLIENT FILE

This step changed my world & my MAC loves me for it. This is crazy awesome because let’s say I have a client that comes back to me in a year wanting to order a huge print, I can now simply open the lightroom file, export a larger version, AND make any extra edits using the original RAW file that have original edits on it! Woah

Step 6: PUT SD CARDS BACK INTO ROTATION

That’s it y’all! Let me know if there’s anything I am missing or if you have any questions! Share your backup system!