Photo archive storage

• 3-2-1 rule

  3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite. Working drive + external HDD + cloud/second disk at relatives'.

• RAW forever, JPEG on demand

  RAW is the archive, JPEG is for the client. RAW can be re-edited forever; JPEG can't be recovered.

• Cards aren't storage

  Format a card only after verifying two copies. Until then it's part of the backup chain.

• Verify backups

  A backup not tested by restore isn't a backup. Restore a test folder quarterly.

Losing the archive = losing the business: a client's wedding can't be re-shot. Typical scheme: working SSD → HDD mirror (after every shoot) → cloud/offsite disk (weekly). Costs 2–3k UAH/yr vs priceless files.