Great photo storage tips

How to Store All the Pictures I Take

We get asked questions regarding photo storage often. 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 so easily is attached an issue: where do you store all those images? Additionally, the importance of analog photography lives on – and has most likely left you with scores of memories on film. How do you keep those precious memories safe from the effects of time and the elements? We’ll take a look at the best ways to store your digital and film photography keeping them safe and secure for generations to enjoy.

Digital files

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 drives; one providing you cheaper cost to storage space, the other longevity and speed. If you are looking at the more economical route, consider an HDD (hard disk drive). You’ll get more storage for your money but the moving parts on an HDD will eventually fail. The more costly but safer choice is a solid-state drive (SSD). You’ll pay more but the lack of moving parts in these drives make them more resistant to damage.

Flash drive photo storage

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 are not recommended as your sole storage option.

Cloud storage for photos

Storing your photos externally on the cloud has become easier with time. 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 hack proof. If you want to keep easy access to your most prized images, consider opting for a drive you can keep locally.

Overall, it is best to store important digital photos in more than one and preferably three different ways. This ensures you will always have a back up and save you potential heart ache down the road. 

Film photography storage

It's been awhile since file photography was popular, but many people have negatives and prints in storage. Maintaining both offers an entire new set of challenges when it comes to storage. You must be concerned with temperature, humidity and even pests. The National Archives suggests storing your photographs in temperatures below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This follows that 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.

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. Find the perfect storage solution and those
memories will be secured for years to come. Moments that Last a Lifetime.