Ever wondered how we photographers safe keep the thousands upon thousands of images + files we have?

Time and time again I am receiving emails & DMs about people losing or not saving their valuable image files + presets, so I would like to touch on the importance AND responsibility of yourselves to back up your files!!!
While I can absolutely help you with accessing and saving your files, I want to emphasise on the importance of YOU following these steps below to ensure your files are kept safe after they have left my valuable hands - because at the end of the day, I have millions and millions of files/images of my own, as well as those of my clients and I too need to be kept accountable for the safe keeping of my own files in the safest way possible and I can never ever guarantee that something out of the ordinary could happen and technology crashes on me.

The safe keeping of your files + images 101:

Nowadays there are an abundance of options to use to save and backup your image files and your preset files are no exception to this rule. It is overwhelming thinking that at the flick of any given moment, we can loose anything and everything, so it is SO important to us that we encourage all of our valuable clients to continue checking in and backing up any files you have received. Technology can be VERY moody sometimes and we do not want to risk anything.

If you have had a session with us, you will have received clear instruction on how you should be backing up your images after downloading them from your gallery.

OR

If you've purchased a collection from us you have received our "How To" which includes the first step of saving your ZIP file to a location you feel safe, secure & easily accessible.

BUT

If you haven't received this from us or would simply like a refresh on how and where to save, follow on below for our best tips.

Downloading 101:

Upon the receipt of your preset files or image gallery;

Download your files to DROPBOX. Dropbox is a free platform with the option for a subscription package to upgrade the amount of space you have access too.
GOOGLE photos is another online option that is easily accessible across different devices and can be accessed on a free or subscription based package.
Save all of your files for a second time to an EXTERNAL HARDDRIVE. This will sit as a backup option to your online drives and is something that can be stored away for safe keeping (I highly recommend storing in a packaging such as bubble wrap, pencil case or hardcase)

If you have purchased preset files from us;

SAVE your zip file to DROPBOX and/or GOOGLE PHOTOS
IMPORT your files straight into your Lightroom Account
Ensure you are logged into your subscription based account to ensure you're able to access the files on your other devices *device dependant.

Following the above will ensure you will be able to easily access and reinstall the presets into Lightroom whenever you have a crash or update your devices instead of re-purchasing them.

To go back and save your preset files FROM Lightroom :

Open Lightroom, Preferences > Presets > Develop Presets > User Presets > Copy all of your OPAL PRESET files and paste them into your backup options listed above.

Of coarse, there will always be a multitude of other options on backing up & cloud storage options to what we have listen here, although these are what we have found to be the safest and most reliable storage options over our 15+ years of business.
It is always our highest priority to ensure all imagery is kept in safe hands and not thrown around the internet for any eye to see, so we do not suggest options like iCloud as this is an insecure data base.

If you have any questions on backing up your images + files, please feel free to email them to hello@opalimagerystudio.com and we will work together to resolve anything.

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