If you’re looking for a website platform that offers creative freedom, easy customization, and a seamless user experience, Showit is a game changer. Whether you’re a photographer, designer, coach, or service provider, Showit gives you the power to create a stunning, fully customized website without needing to code. Below, I answer the most common questions […]

showit website templates for photographers mocked up on desktop view

If you’re looking for a website platform that offers creative freedom, easy customization, and a seamless user experience, Showit is a game changer. Whether you’re a photographer, designer, coach, or service provider, Showit gives you the power to create a stunning, fully customized website without needing to code. Below, I answer the most common questions […]

showit website templates for photographers mocked up on desktop view

If you’re still using traditional external hard drives (HDDs) for storing and backing up your photos, it’s time to make a change. While HDDs have been the go-to storage solution for years, they come with significant downsides that impact speed, efficiency, and even the longevity of your files. Photographers it is time to STOP using […]

Photographers stop relying on an external hard drive to store and edit your images text on a tan background

If you’re still using traditional external hard drives (HDDs) for storing and backing up your photos, it’s time to make a change. While HDDs have been the go-to storage solution for years, they come with significant downsides that impact speed, efficiency, and even the longevity of your files. Photographers it is time to STOP using […]

Photographers stop relying on an external hard drive to store and edit your images text on a tan background

As a photographer, having a website that beautifully showcases your work while being SEO-optimized is essential. That’s why I created a Showit website template specifically for motherhood and family photographers. If you photograph motherhood, families, newborns, or heirloom photography and want a light and airy feel then this could be the template for you! Why […]

Showit website template for motherhood, family, newborn, and heirloom photographers mocked up on various devices

As a photographer, having a website that beautifully showcases your work while being SEO-optimized is essential. That’s why I created a Showit website template specifically for motherhood and family photographers. If you photograph motherhood, families, newborns, or heirloom photography and want a light and airy feel then this could be the template for you! Why […]

Showit website template for motherhood, family, newborn, and heirloom photographers mocked up on various devices

The most irresponsible thing a photographer can do is NOT have a proper back up system to protect clients images. That’s why I am sharing this FREE information, the Photographer’s backup guide for protecting images, to help you prevent your worst nightmare! As photographers, we capture and preserve priceless moments, from once-in-a-lifetime weddings to commercial […]

SD Card Symbol Meanings for purchasing SD cards that meet your needs and help you protect your images!

The most irresponsible thing a photographer can do is NOT have a proper back up system to protect clients images. That’s why I am sharing this FREE information, the Photographer’s backup guide for protecting images, to help you prevent your worst nightmare! As photographers, we capture and preserve priceless moments, from once-in-a-lifetime weddings to commercial […]

SD Card Symbol Meanings for purchasing SD cards that meet your needs and help you protect your images!

When it comes to wedding photography, finding the right pricing structure is the key to building a profitable and sustainable business. Let’s jump into how to price wedding photography for wedding photographers and get you the tools to implement profitable pricing strategies, today! Over the years I’ve had the privilege of working with many wedding […]

wedding photography pricing for wedding photographers with a pricing calculator mocked up on an ipad

When it comes to wedding photography, finding the right pricing structure is the key to building a profitable and sustainable business. Let’s jump into how to price wedding photography for wedding photographers and get you the tools to implement profitable pricing strategies, today! Over the years I’ve had the privilege of working with many wedding […]

wedding photography pricing for wedding photographers with a pricing calculator mocked up on an ipad

As a photographer, your talent is your foundation, but your branding is the bridge that connects you to your clients. In an increasingly visual and competitive world, strong branding is no longer optional, it’s essential. Let’s dive into how professional branding for photographers builds trust, credibility, and professionalism and is a key factor in running […]

image shows professional branding for wedding photographers vs a brand without professional branding or consistency

As a photographer, your talent is your foundation, but your branding is the bridge that connects you to your clients. In an increasingly visual and competitive world, strong branding is no longer optional, it’s essential. Let’s dive into how professional branding for photographers builds trust, credibility, and professionalism and is a key factor in running […]

image shows professional branding for wedding photographers vs a brand without professional branding or consistency

As a photographer, your website is often the first impression potential clients have of your business. It’s your digital storefront, portfolio, and booking platform all rolled into one. But here’s the harsh truth: a bad website could be doing more harm than good. In fact, according to research from Stanford University, 75% of people judge […]

post containing text that 75% of customers are judging your credibility based on your website and how photographers need a professional website design

As a photographer, your website is often the first impression potential clients have of your business. It’s your digital storefront, portfolio, and booking platform all rolled into one. But here’s the harsh truth: a bad website could be doing more harm than good. In fact, according to research from Stanford University, 75% of people judge […]

post containing text that 75% of customers are judging your credibility based on your website and how photographers need a professional website design

Export Settings in Lightroom for High-Quality Images When delivering images to clients, maintaining the highest possible quality is important! Here are the best lightroom export settings for delivering images to clients. Whether the images are intended for prints, personal archives, or professional portfolios, proper export settings in Lightroom ensure that your work looks professional and […]

Export settings for lightroom exporting images for client delivery

Export Settings in Lightroom for High-Quality Images When delivering images to clients, maintaining the highest possible quality is important! Here are the best lightroom export settings for delivering images to clients. Whether the images are intended for prints, personal archives, or professional portfolios, proper export settings in Lightroom ensure that your work looks professional and […]

Export settings for lightroom exporting images for client delivery

If you’re a photographer or editor, you’ve likely faced the infamous Lightroom organization headache. Nothing’s worse than seeing those dreaded question marks or exclamation points, signaling that Lightroom can’t find your files. If you’re missing files in Lightroom here is how to fix and prevent them including simple ways to keep your images organized without […]

Missing Image File Alert in Lightroom

If you’re a photographer or editor, you’ve likely faced the infamous Lightroom organization headache. Nothing’s worse than seeing those dreaded question marks or exclamation points, signaling that Lightroom can’t find your files. If you’re missing files in Lightroom here is how to fix and prevent them including simple ways to keep your images organized without […]

Missing Image File Alert in Lightroom

LATEST POSTS

If you’re still using traditional external hard drives (HDDs) for storing and backing up your photos, it’s time to make a change. While HDDs have been the go-to storage solution for years, they come with significant downsides that impact speed, efficiency, and even the longevity of your files. Photographers it is time to STOP using external hard drives. Instead, switch to external solid-state drives (SSDs), which offer dramatically faster speeds, greater reliability, and better performance when working with large image files. They are also MORE durable due to not having moving parts like HDD’s.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase an external SSD through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support this blog and allow me to continue creating valuable content for photographers.

The 3-2-1 Backup Method for Photographers

First, here are my FAVORITE SSD’s. As a photographer, ensuring the safety of your work is one of the most important aspects of your service. The 3-2-1 backup rule is a widely recognized strategy that ensures your images remain secure:

  1. 3 Copies of Your Files – Keep three copies of your images: the original and two backups.
  2. 2 Different Storage Devices – Use at least two different types of storage (such as SSDs and cloud storage) to prevent single points of failure.
  3. 1 Off-Site Backup – Store at least one backup off-site, such as in the cloud, to protect against theft, fire, or hardware failure.

How to Use Dual SSDs for Mirroring & Cloud Backup

To implement this method effectively, use two external SSDs to mirror each other. This means:

  • Primary SSD – Store all your RAW files and Lightroom catalogs here for fast access.
  • Backup SSD – Regularly mirror the primary SSD onto this backup drive using software like Carbon Copy Cloner or ChronoSync (Mac) or FreeFileSync (Windows).
  • Cloud Backup – Use a cloud service such as Backblaze, Google Drive, or Dropbox to ensure you always have a remote copy of your files.

By using two SSDs in this manner, you get the benefits of speed, syncing, and security.

How to Optimize Your Lightroom Workflow Using SSDs

One of the best ways to optimize your workflow is to edit your Lightroom catalog on your internal SSD and then move it to an external SSD when you’re done. Here’s why:

  • Faster Performance – Lightroom runs significantly faster when the catalog is on your internal SSD rather than an external drive.
  • Efficient Editing – Once you’ve finished editing, you can move the catalog to an external SSD to free up space on your internal drive.
  • Preserving Internal Storage – RAW files take up a lot of space, so keeping them on an external SSD prevents your internal drive from slowing down.

Why Keeping Your RAWs & Catalog on an SSD is a Game Changer

Storing your Lightroom catalogs and RAW files on a fast external SSD allows you to:

  • Open and edit large files quickly without lag.
  • Reduce buffering times when navigating Lightroom.
  • Minimize bottlenecks caused by slow HDDs.
  • Work seamlessly across multiple devices by simply plugging in your SSD.

How Much RAM Does Lightroom Need?

Many photographers underestimate how much RAM Lightroom requires for smooth performance. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • 8GB RAM – Absolute MINIMUM (expect slow performance with large catalogs).
  • 16GB RAM – Ideal for most photographers using standard RAW files.
  • 32GB+ RAM – Best for high-resolution images, large catalogs, and extensive editing.

Pairing high RAM with SSD storage ensures the best possible speed and responsiveness when working in Lightroom.

Final Thoughts & Further Reading

Switching from external HDDs to SSDs will revolutionize your workflow, providing faster speeds, better reliability, and an improved editing experience. If you haven’t made the switch yet, now is the time!

For more details on safeguarding your images, check out my guide “Photographers Backup Guide To Protecting Images” to ensure your files remain secure for years to come.

Interested in outsourcing your images to a truste Private Photo Editor – learn more here!

Looking for more editing tips for photographers, click here for more!

Happy Editing!

Marissa

Photographers stop relying on an external hard drive to store and edit your images text on a tan background
Showit website template for motherhood, family, newborn, and heirloom photographers mocked up on various devices
SD Card Symbol Meanings for purchasing SD cards that meet your needs and help you protect your images!
wedding photography pricing for wedding photographers with a pricing calculator mocked up on an ipad