As photographers, we have clients who ask us how to store photos all the time. Sometimes they want to know the best photo storage in the cloud, while others want to know the best method for preserving prints.

Today, taking a picture is as simple as pulling out your phone, selecting your camera app, and pressing on your touchscreen.

But with the simplicity of taking photos comes a not-so-simple issue: where do you store all those images?

How do you keep those precious memories safe from the effects of time and the elements? Is it worth it to buy iCloud storage for your digital memories?

We’ll take a look at the best ways to store your digital and film photography so you can keep them safe and secure for generations to enjoy!

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Storing Photos on Your Computer Hard Drive

Even stock computers tend to have extremely large hard drives that feature enough storage for almost anything you can throw at them.

Unless you are a hardcore gamer, video editor, or programmer, your standard hard drive should offer enough space for all your digital files (digital photos).

Keep in mind there are two types of drive:

1. HDD (hard disk drive): Best option if you’re looking to take the economical route. An HDD provides you with a cheaper cost for storage space. You’ll get more storage for your money, but the moving parts on an HDD will eventually fail.
2. SSD (solid-state drive): This is the safer, more expensive option. You’ll pay more, but the lack of moving parts in these drives makes them more resistant to damage. If you want longevity and speed for your hard drive, this is your best option.

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Flash Drive Photo Storage

Not, not a floppy disk!

Flash drives, or thumb drives, are offering increasingly larger storage space. Another benefit to flash drives is they are portable.

However, flash drives are more susceptible to damage or even getting lost, so they are not recommended as your sole storage option.

How To Store Photos on iCloud

External photo storage in the cloud has become easier with time. Nowadays, you can even set your phone to automatically upload all your images directly to a cloud server!

There are free options, but if you need larger amounts of storage, there are monthly and yearly plans offered by most cloud services.

The drawbacks: you must have an internet connection to log into your account to access your images. And these services are not hackproof.

If you want to keep easy access to your most prized images, consider opting for a drive you can keep locally.

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The Best Way To Preserve Physical Photos

It’s been a while since file photography was popular, but many people have negatives and prints in storage.

Maintaining both offers an entirely new set of challenges when it comes to storage. You have to consider:

• Temperature
• Humidity
• Pests

The National Archives suggests storing your photographs in temperatures below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Which is why keeping your photographs in your attic is not a good idea!

Also, humidity should be kept between 15% and 65%. Lower humidity can lead to brittleness, while higher moisture levels can cause mold growth.

Finding the right container to store your pictures is the next important step. You want something that is photograph friendly. Try searching for archival photo boxes and only opt for those boxes or containers meant for long-term picture storage.

]When finding a location that has the perfect conditions, also ensure that pests won’t be a problem. Don’t store food nearby, and keep your photos away from areas of water!

Conclusion

Whether you are storing your digital memories or film photography, you want your grandkids and great-grandkids to enjoy choosing the right methods is vital.

Overall, it is best to store important digital photos in more than one place. We actually recommend storing your favorites in three different ways. This ensures you will always have a backup and save you potential heartache down the road. 

Find the perfect storage solution, and those memories will be secured for years to come!

Looking for a professional to print your photos? We offer print services! Tell us what you want, and we promise to bring you prints that GLOW in your home.