Backing Up on the Road: A Photographer’s Dilemma
As a professional photographer, I know all too well the priceless value of my images. They’re not just pixels on a screen – they’re the culmination of my creative vision, technical expertise, and countless hours spent chasing the perfect shot. That’s why the thought of losing them keeps me up at night, especially when I’m on the road.
Whether I’m shooting the rugged landscapes of the Faroe Islands [1] or exploring the vibrant cities of Europe, my backup strategy is the difference between preserving my life’s work and watching it slip away forever. Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s not enough to simply copy files onto a hard drive and call it a day. No, protecting your digital assets requires a multilayered approach that can withstand the chaos of travel.
The Triple Threat of Backup
My personal backup strategy is what I like to call the “Triple Threat.” It’s a simple yet effective system that ensures my images are safe, no matter what life on the road throws my way.
1. Never Erase Those Cards
The first line of defense is to never erase my memory cards throughout the entire trip [1]. That means packing plenty of high-capacity SD cards and just swapping them out as I go. Sure, it might mean lugging around a few extra cards, but the peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.
2. Nightly Backups to a Portable Drive
Even when I’m exhausted after a long day of shooting, I make sure to back up all my new images to a portable SSD drive before I hit the sack [1]. This compact little powerhouse is always by my side, ready to safeguard my digital treasures. And with its lightning-fast transfer speeds, the backup process is a breeze, no matter how many gigabytes I’ve amassed.
3. Cloud Backups for the Essentials
Finally, I take my most prized shots – the ones that truly capture the essence of my travels – and upload them to the cloud [1]. This way, if my gear were to ever go missing or be damaged, I’d still have my best work safely stored off-site. It’s a small task that gives me an extra layer of security, just in case.
Backup Beyond the Camera
But my backup strategy doesn’t stop at my photographic gear. I also make sure to protect the other critical data I rely on when I’m on the road, like travel documents, financial records, and work files.
Time Machine for My Laptop
To keep my laptop’s internal drive safe, I use the Time Machine feature on my Mac [1]. This built-in backup tool creates a complete copy of my system, which I can easily restore if disaster strikes. And since my QNAP NAS serves as the Time Machine backup destination, I don’t have to worry about connecting an external drive every time I need to make a new backup.
Bootable Clones for Peace of Mind
But Time Machine alone isn’t enough. I also use Carbon Copy Cloner to create a daily bootable clone of my laptop’s internal drive [1]. This way, if my main drive fails, I can simply plug in the clone and keep working without missing a beat. It’s an extra safeguard that’s saved my bacon more times than I can count.
Portable Powerhouses for the Road
When I’m out in the field, I rely on a pair of high-speed portable drives to back up my latest work [1]. These tiny powerhouses, the OWC Envoy Elektron Pro drives, are built like miniature tanks, with aluminum bodies that can withstand the rigors of travel. And with blazing-fast USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 connections, I can transfer gigabytes of data in a matter of minutes.
I use Photo Mechanic and Hedge to quickly ingest my photos and videos onto these drives, making sure I always have two copies – one in my camera bag and one in my duffle. It’s a redundant system that ensures my work is protected, no matter what curveballs the road might throw my way.
Testing and Refining
Of course, having a backup strategy is only half the battle. The other half is making sure it actually works when you need it most. That’s why I regularly test my system, restoring files from various backups to ensure everything is in order. And as new technologies emerge, I’m always on the lookout for ways to streamline and improve my workflow.
For example, my recent switch from a Drobo to a QNAC NAS [1] has been a game-changer. Not only does it offer blazing-fast network speeds and seamless remote access, but it also comes packed with powerful backup and sync tools that make my life a whole lot easier. No more juggling external drives or worrying about the latest software updates – the QNAC handles it all automatically, leaving me free to focus on what I love most: capturing the world through my lens.
The Road Ahead
As a traveling professional, my backup strategy is more than just a list of best practices – it’s the foundation that supports my entire creative process. By taking the time to set up a robust, multilayered system, I can venture out into the world with the confidence that my work is protected, no matter what challenges I face.
Sure, it might take a bit more effort upfront, but trust me, it’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your digital legacy is secure. So the next time you hit the road, whether for business or pleasure, make sure to put backup at the top of your priority list. Your future self will thank you.
References
[1] Kelby, S. (n.d.). My Travel Photography Backup Strategy. Scott Kelby’s Photoshop Insider. https://scottkelby.com/my-travel-photography-backup-strategy/
[2] Leong, Y. (2019, September 9). How I Back up My Photography. CaptureDecisions: Landscape and Travel Photography Blog. https://www.capturelandscapes.com/how-i-back-up-my-photography/
[3] Shotwell, C. (2021, March 30). My Professional Photo Backup Routine – Early 2021. Shuttermuse. https://shuttermuse.com/photo-backup-routine-early-2021/
[4] The Washington Post. (n.d.). Backup Flights, Refund, Travel Insurance: How to Survive Airport Chaos. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/backup-flights-refund-travel-insurance/
[5] Nicholz, Z. (2022, May 26). The Best Photography Backup Workflow as a Photographer. Zach Nicholz Photography. https://www.zachnicholz.com/blog/best-photography-backup-workflow-for-photographers
[6] Stack Exchange. (n.d.). How Important Is a Backup Camera Body? Photo Stack Exchange. https://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/23828/how-important-is-a-backup-camera-body
[7] Gellert, D. (n.d.). Digital Nomad Tips: Backup Flights, Travel Insurance & More. Expert Vagabond. https://expertvagabond.com/digital-nomad-tips/
[8] Veeam. (n.d.). Server Backup Guide: Everything You Need to Know. Veeam. https://www.veeam.com/blog/server-backup-guide.html
