My SIMPLE (But Slightly Overkill) Storage Workflow For Content Creation

[@RustyBrownPhotography]

For me, it's SanDisk Extreme Pro V30 64GB cards (two 12-slot Pelicans) at a total of 24 cards. Only 64GB for each. Super cheap; very reliable. On my Sony A99-II my raw images are 42 Megapixels each. That's 1,455 raw images per card. I don't consider this a level of storage really but I suppose one could. From the memory cards I dump all my images/content to a series of PC and Mac connected external drives. I have 2 PCs; one that a built, and the big boy -- the cheese grater Mac Pro. I don't "store" any of my images on either machine. I use both to process my work (photos or 4K videos) but not to permanently store my work. From the PC/Mac-connected external drives I do backups (monthly) to another set of externals -- those same Samsung/WD 4TB's featured in your video. I store these offsite. Also from the PC/Mac-connected external drives I do backups (monthly) to my Synology NAS. Yes, it's probably slow but the simple 4 bay NAS with RAID works perfectly for me. The internal drives come in a variety of sizes. Key thing here for me -- I don't edit or do work from the NAS; I use it as a simple NAS and that's all. I believe the NAS system to be extremely reliable, cost-efficient and safe. I do not do cloud storage. I can also backup my NAS to my son's larger NAS -- and he's in another state altogether. So - not counting the memory cards, I have a copy on the PC/Mac-connected external drives. I have a another copy on non-connected external drives; stored offsite; and a third copy on my local NAS. I use to travel with those Sandisk SSD portable's. They're quite lightweight but they are prone to fail. Samsung makes a better model -- called the Portable SSD T7 Shield. Much tougher/stronger and more reliable. When I'm on the road I back up each day's shoot to one of these. So even while shooting on the road I have what's on the days memory cards; a copy of the days work on the laptop (Dell XPS-13 9310), and a backup on the T7 4TB. Great video man. I think the takeaway here is as you indicated -- customize whatever the workflow is to what the indivudual needs -- for peace of mind; redundancy; cost efficiency, etc. I don't think any singular workflow or storage method is for everyone but it's too easy to craft one thats unique and suitable to any indivudual. Cheers.

[@darkpheonix69008]

Portability aside, aying a NAS is slow is a bit of a weird blanket statement, it really depends on the harware, implementation and what you populate them with. The brand name ones are pretty expensive, it's better to built a small form factor NAS yourself, and you could even include 10Gb/s NICs and an NVMe carrier card for 2 or way more SSDs and add a few high capacity hard drives for archiving.

[@jujushoots]

YES YES YEES, I've been wanting a storage workflow video from you for the longest! thank youuuu

[@HeyQuinton]

Anyone who is interested - the Sabrent models listed here are ~1,200 USD each + Enclosure - making this setup ~5K USD (not including cloud)

[@DoubleTheDom]

I’m sure he was referring to aud prices

[@aquilifergroup]

@@DoubleTheDomlol. Still expensive

[@oraenor]

I’m still using the plastic sandisk ssd for storage, these NVMe are looking likely to be my next upgrade

[@lazypaulreact]

Good info to think about it. Thank you. As a newer content creator, I'm currently working with external SSDs for workflow (hot) and external HDDs for backup. And the back up thing are soooo boooooooooring or at least was in the beginning bc are time consuming, nowadays I think it as an opportunity to rest and recharge..

[@SamFigueroa]

Thank you for making this. I jump between computers as well and this is a great inspiration. I was previously handling HDD from WD but they aways needed a powersupply and were just too bulky to work well for the task. That UGreen suggestion with the NVme drive was a great tip it is actually cheaper than something like a Samsung T7, and like you said probably more repairable if the error is on the enclosure/adapter side.

[@KevinThomasRubysz]

Video suggestion: how you sort your Data on all these storages :)

[@CHLBUTTERWORTH]

I can backup to my NAS from anywhere. Yes its not fast or editable from when on the go. But being able to save my data to a hard drive located at home is so handy for data intergrity.

[@zemanns]

Please double check information about warming man, because if You keep ssd sticked each other warm goes around and shortens live other disc. I also love this look and ease of use brick of disc like You have but as You can read on internet its bad idea

[@Sunny_in_Japan]

This was SUPER helpful - thanks Pat!

[@Eloberus]

I always copy my photos to an external ssd and have a background job that sync them unidirectionally to my NAS. I’m just a hobbiest. As a professional I would add another automated step syncing those photos to backblaze or another cloud storage solution.

[@street4japan]

Thank you for sharing your approach! I too need to be able to access files on the fly whether at home, at work, or at a client’s site. Will have to take a clear look at your use of the customizable drives.

[@dusmeister]

Awesome storage solution. 👌 I also like to keep my storage workflow small & portable. Right now I've been using Samsung T5 SSD's for my workflow & never had issues with it & totally love them, but I'm definitely keen to try this Sabrent one you mentioned, which looks super cool & practical.

[@mertkaracayil]

love your SSD setup and overall workflow.

[@zemanns]

I am just thinking if You shooted 10gb on ssd card only when 128 is total. You send it to the end of the queue. Its loosing money for ssd. No better has just one 16tb on the desk?

[@justbobbyt]

Great video! Is your 32 TB SSD reduency when you're on the move?

[@thejaideeparora]

I use Microsoft OneDrive for cold storage. Costs me like 2 bucks per month for 1 TB storage and gives good download and upload speed. Good for portability. Although I've been thinking to move it all into a hard disk but then probability of data loss increases that way.

[@NisahCheatham]

"do it and do it now!" - that is ringing in my ears as I'm clicking "Add to Cart" 😎😎

[@max_larum]

I got two devices I use for editing, an desktop PC at home, and a iPad pro on the road. I got creative cloud and 1TB of data. So I can import my photos to my desktop in lightroom classic or in lightroom on my ipad. And it sync all ways, even to lightroom on my phone.

[@TrueGamingVault]

i would recommend WD hard-drive 5TB and yeah keep it with parents or family.... trust me as a normal amature photographer you won't have that much things to back up probably 2/3 TB per year I hav like 3 of them now in the last 6 years.. cheap and does the job well.

[@RikuoNura383]

Best practice I learned as CS major is better to get multiple smaller size storages than 1 big size storage. That way, you can have multiple mirrors and backup in case your main storage fails you. Though, of course nowaday, you can put them on cloud

[@brian_hermelijn]

Didn't know of the NVMe portable solution + good storage tips and solutions. Been using an External Storage and Cloud (but haven't backed everything to cloud for example) need to go through my archive and organize a bit more. I am also curious if you organize your captures based on dates taken + title them? What is your file structuring process like?

[@TheChidmas]

Yeah your method isnt bad at all, 3-2-1 method is generally the recommended and you fulfill that. One thing you may not be mitigating for is ransomware the issue with cold storage is that you could have files infected and encrypted, but you won't know until you try to open them. So I would add some procedures which would be check old files on a schedule. also not sure if you are 2 way syncing because that wouldn't be recommended. Another issue with your system is that you are carrying both the SD cards and the SSD if you were robbed, both of those backups are gone. What I would recommend is either syncing those files immediately to a cloud provider or if you have someone working on the shoot with you I would make a copy and give it to them. Overkill but obviously these are nitpicking

[@Emulives]

i have one case of that in my mac mini with 1tb too and a NVME . But at work I use a Synology Nas ds 1522+ with Exos seagate drives in Raid. Yeah they are way too slow...but I just use photos. I don't do video.

[@tommysshih]

For a commercial photographer, 8TB ea for a working drive and an archive drive is not nearly enough storage. I’d need at least 4 of them, at $800-1000 ea and ~$100-150 for a good TB4 enclosure. We’re talking about $4000 or more to get 32TB. At this moment with SSD prices what they are, I use a 4TB SDD in a TB4 enclosure as a working drive, and then a NAS which takes 6 20TB drives for less than the 4 SSD’s.

[@ngyaomin]

actually the most annoying thing is backing up finalcut libraries takes donkey years to backup and each time it feels like my labtop and external ssd is going to explode

[@paulsavala]

Video suggestion: I think it’s interesting how much of your photography captures well-known places and buildings, but in an especially well-done way (thinking especially of Changi jewel). I assume a lot of planning goes into those shots. It would be interesting to hear what that process is like.