As a wedding photographer since 2017, I have tried different online cloud storage services and I found SmugMug to be the best, most reliable and most affordable photo storage option for photographers and clients who want to keep an unlimited amount of photos safe.

 

Comparing unlimited photo storage options

SmugMug (top choice)

• Best option for photographers storing unlimited JPEG & VIDEOS online
• Video limitations are a maximum of 3GB, 20 minutes and 1920 x 1080
• RAW limitations are a maximum of 3GB, not recommended to store on SmugMug
• Your original files are stored as you upload them, without being “squished” or altered
• Privacy – share a password protected link to your clients to download
• Unlimited storage—never delete another photo.
• Easy to organize into folders
• Create a website & option to sell images & products too
• Seamless Lightroom integration
• 24/7 live, human support.
• Best option for non-photographers and photographers to store unlimited photos online

$20 per month

+ $5/mo for RAW image storage

Use this link to get 14-day free trial

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DropBox

• Does not have an unlimited option
• Maximum storage is 15K GB, which is about 6 million JPEG files or about 750k RAW files
• An expensive option for photographers
• Privacy – share a password protected link to your clients to download

$24 per month

Use this to get 500MB of storage free

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Amazon Photos

• Unlimited photo storage + 5GB of video
• Worst option for photographers, better option for non-photographers
• Privacy – no password protection or restricted link access to shared galleries
• Free with your Amazon Prime membership
• There has been reports that Amazon will compress your files making them smaller and quality loss

Free

Use this to get started

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Google Photos

• Does not have an unlimited option
• Privacy – no password protection or restricted link access to shared galleries
• Worst option for photographers, better option for non-photographers
• Get a free month using 2TB
• Sync your phone photos to your online cloud easy

$100 per year for 2 TB

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Flickr Pro

• First 1,000 images are free
• Unlimited full-resolution photo sharing and backup
• Privacy – make galleries private and share them securely with a “guest pass” link, restricts access to only those with the link to view the private album.
• SmugMug owns Flickr but Flickr’s intention is for non-photographers with limited gallery customization, and intended for building a social community.
• Best option for non-photographers

$11 per month

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Cloud Spot

• First 3 months trial is $3 per month
• Unlimited full-resolution photo sharing and backup
• Privacy – make galleries private and enable password & pin protection
• An expensive option for photographers, but the client management system is a great bundle package for newer photographers
• Sell print products
• Sell digital images
• Photography studio management (emails, contracts, invoicing, 2.5% processing fees, lead forms, scheduling sessions, customize fonts, colors and logo)
• This is a great option for new photographers to manage projects and share images in one place

$50 per month

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Tips for photographers when backing up your client photos

 

 

1. First step is to keep your SD/CF memory cards stored safely and do not format until the client’s gallery has been delivered. I use this small cash binder with zipper pockets and label maker to keep memory cards safe while editing a client’s gallery.
2. Do not rely on online cloud as your only photo backup solution. Keep your RAW and edited images safe on an external hard drive. I trust:

1. 1. Lexar 4TB *fast uploads
   2. Lexar 1 TB *fast uploads
   3. Seagate 4TB
   4. Toshiba 2 TB

3. After storing your images on an external hard drive, back up to an online cloud, like SmugMug.

4. Then, share your client galleries with Pic Time.

 

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Learn more about what wedding photographers use to share client galleries beautifully

If you’re a wedding photographer like me, I recommend Pic time for sharing and selling high quality fine art prints & products and setup photography packages to sell downloads too if you wish. Try Pic time for free for one month and choose the advanced unlimited photos plan at ($42/month).

Preview my Pic Time galleries