You Need a DAM Backup Plan

This episode outlines a comprehensive Digital Asset Management (DAM) and backup strategy for photographers protecting their most valuable business asset: their images.

Digital Asset Life Cycle

1. Live Files — images in cameras during and immediately after shoots
2. Working Files — files being actively processed or recently captured
3. Archives — completed files delivered to clients and stored for reference

Camera-Level Protection

Use cameras with dual card slots when possible, rotating cards on staggered schedules to prevent simultaneous failure. For single-slot cameras, swap cards often to distribute risk.

Working File Storage

A four-layer redundancy approach: SD cards from the shoot, a primary working drive, real-time cloud sync, and a nightly automated backup to an internal drive.

Archive Storage

Long-term archival uses multiple locations: offline external drives as cold storage, plus online services for unlimited backup. Retain all images permanently, revisiting old work often reveals overlooked photographs.

Archive episode. Original audio is no longer hosted; show notes are preserved here.