How To Preserve Your Family Memories So They're Not Only In The Cloud
If you’re wondering how to preserve your family memories so they’re not only in the cloud, this post is for you. The cloud is great, but shouldn’t be the only place your photos and videos live! Here’s what I use as a photographer to store my personal photos and videos:
External hard drives
I use Toshiba and Seagate External Hard Drives and get two of them so that I have a second copy of it. These have recently increased in price a lot, so it can feel like a big purchase initially. I usually purchase the 2TB and it can save several years worth of footage on it. You can start with buying a 1TB external hard drive and see how many years worth of photos and videos it will store for you!
It’s most recommended to have 3 backups (two external, and one in the cloud).
To organize my iPhone footage I start with a folder labeled by the year > month > photo & video folder.
If im using my camera (professional or campsnap) to take footage of a specific event, then my organization folders look like:
Year > month > specific date & event name > photos & video folder
Then make sure you get a label maker so you can label the years of each hard drives!
2. Print your photos!
What I use for myself and my clients is Milkbooks. They have products that range from classic photo books to high end albums.
All my day in the life clients get their archival albums. But I have many of my own personal family photos printed using their more classic photo books. I’ve tried a few and my favorite is the 8x8 premium photo books. But for a more affordable option, the classic photo book is great. They also have a soft cover book that I’ve tried, but the classic photo books are hardier and better if you have little hand flipping through pictures!
3. Set up a camera to record your families milestone moments
Think old home videos of your childhood. Grab a tripod and set your camera to record. Having an option that isn’t your phone can help a lot to keep you more present in the moment and has better storage so you don’t have a 20 minute video on your phone.
I have my professional camera that I set on the tripod for every birthday and Christmas morning in our family. It records those moments of us as a family being together, eating together, opening presents. The videos we will want to watch again 20 years from now when the kids are all grown. 🫶🏻
What if I don’t have a fancy camera?
You don’t need a professional camera for this! Campsnap is a great screen free option. The CS-8 takes video footage that feels vintage. If you want a camera to snap some photos too, I have the Camp Snap Pro and love using it now for these moments so I’m not always having to take my big expensive camera with me (my link gets you $5 off your order!). And of course, always start with what you have. Most likely, you have a phone in your pocket. It can be easy to put off putting photos from your phone onto a safe storage device, which is why I recommend using a camera (plus it keeps you more present), but it’s still a great option for taking photos and videos if that’s what you have!
So where should you start?
This can feel overwhelming to try to do all at once, so take it slow! Use your phone since you already have it.
Buy two external hard drives, and start organizing everything from your phone onto there for safe keeping.
When budget allows, print yourself an album. I’m still slowly printing albums for my own family as I’m able! They’re my favorite thing. We keep them in the living room and my boys love to frequently pick them up and see themselves as babies and toddlers.
And then if you feel like you want something other than your iPhone(which I recommend if you’re able!), let that be your next step!
Rest and breathe knowing that you have actual memories to pass on to your kids and to look back on yourself now and 50 years from now instead of trying to look back through 50 years worth of iCloud!
Want some extra insurance to make sure you never forget this season of life when your kiddos are little?
Day in the life sessions are the insurance you need to ensure you have memories to look back on and pass down for generations.
You want to remember what it felt like when they still fit snugly in your arms. How their voices sounded at every age. All your favorite things to do as a family and all the ways things changed little by little each year.
When you book a day in the life session, you get someone who cares deeply about those things and makes the whole process easy and seamless for you.
From the moment you book, I send you a questionnaire to get to know your family. You tell me all about what makes this season of life special. The cute things your kids are doing and saying right now. You tell me about how you and your spouse met and all you’ve walked through and overcome to build the beautiful life you have now. I read and listen to every word you share with me, I help you pick what outfits to wear if you want input on that, and then we have a video call to connect beforehand and talk about what your day will look like.
It’s slow and unrushed, a gentle timeline filled with your families favorite things to do together.
There’s no stressing to be on time to a location or have everyone pose perfectly for photos. I arrive, we chat, I set up my gear and adjust lighting in the house. Then we start the day where you create priceless memories with the people you love and I’m there to capture it. Then, depending on which package you chose, your gallery is delivered 2-6 weeks later online. A video and photos that take you right back to what this season of life felt like. And a few months after that, a box specially packed for you is delivered.
Inside is a beautiful 8x8 archival album with every photo from your session as well as a USB to hold all your photos and video for safekeeping. And a personalized thank you note, because it is the greatest joy to me to be able to serve your family in this way. You set your album in your living room, and you, your partner, and your children frequently grab at it to flip through the pages with big smiles, feeling joyful at the remembrance of that time of life.
A true heirloom that only grows greater in value with time.
If you’re ready for that experience to make sure you never forget their childhood, inquire here.