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The Best Cloud Storage for Photographers: From Beginners to Pros
By Kyle Wilson
Cloud storage is a photographer’s ultimate safety net. In the cloud, your images are stored off-site—safe from damage or theft—and accessible from anywhere.
But with so many cloud storage providers out there, how do you choose the best one?
We'll break down the best cloud storage solutions for both beginners and professional photographers so you can find the right fit for your needs and workflow.
What is the Cloud?
The cloud is essentially a network of servers that store data and files, allowing you to access them from anywhere with an internet connection.
Instead of saving your photos directly on your computer or an external hard drive, cloud storage saves them on these remote servers.
This means your images are safely stored off-site, protected from damage or theft, and easily accessible whether you're in the studio or on the go. It's a flexible, secure way to back up and manage your work without worrying about physical storage limitations.
Key Features to Consider in Cloud Storage Solutions
Not all cloud storage solutions are created equal. Some services are designed for everyday users, while others specifically cater to professional photographers.
Here’s a quick look at what you should consider when choosing cloud storage:
- Storage Space: Do you need unlimited storage, or will a more modest plan suffice?
- Upload Speed: Can the service handle large files without bogging down your workflow?
- Accessibility: Can you access your images on the go via mobile apps?
- Security: How well is your data protected from potential threats like hacking or system failures?
Remember: Cloud storage is just one piece of your backup system. The general rule is to store three copies of your images in different locations. For a full rundown on backing up your images, check out my tips in 3 Steps to Creating an Easy Photography Backup Workflow.
Cloud Storage For Beginners
If you're new to photography, you might not need an advanced cloud storage solution right away. Many beginner-friendly platforms offer affordable or even free plans to get you started without overwhelming you with advanced features.
Let’s look at a few:
Google Drive
Google Drive is a popular option because most people are already familiar with it, so there’s little learning curve. With 15GB of free storage, it offers more space than other free plans, and it integrates well with other Google services. Plus it's easy to upload, store, and share your images from any device. Great for casual photographers shooting in JPEG format.
However, the free storage capacity will run out quickly when using high-resolution formats. It lacks gallery organization and doesn’t support RAW previews. You have to upload files manually—no automatic backups.
Pros: Easy to use; free 15GB storage.
Cons: Limited storage; lack of photography-specific features.
Amazon Photos
If you have Amazon Prime, you already have unlimited free photo storage with Amazon Photos, making this a cost-effective option for beginner photographers. It supports RAW files, and the mobile app automatically backs up from your phone. The interface is easy to use so you can quickly find and share photos.
Non-photo files are limited to 5GB, so if you’re shooting video, you’ll need to pay for additional storage. Made for the everyday consumer, it lacks professional tools like gallery management or integration with photo-editing software like Lightroom.
Pros: Cost and simplicity; supports RAW files.
Cons: Lack of photography-specific features.
Dropbox
Dropbox is a simple, no-frills choice for basic cloud storage with great sharing features. The free plan is only 2GB, so upgrading to a paid plan will be necessary.
Dropbox will not integrate with other tools in your workflow for culling and editing. Files are organized into folders, so there is no gallery display.
Pros: Easy to share images.
Cons: Limited free storage; lack of photography-specific features.
iCloud
If you’re a diehard Apple fanatic, iCloud is a natural option. It automatically syncs photos across all your Apple devices and offers Shared Albums for sharing images with clients.
Bear in mind that the largest iCloud storage plan maxes out at 2TB—enough for a beginner to work with but insufficient for professional photographers. Also, iCloud isn't the best option if you use non-Apple devices in your workflow.
Pros: A simple solution for Apple users.
Cons: Limited storage; not friendly with non-Apple devices.
As a beginner, you may find basic free cloud services are enough for your needs, but as your business expands you’ll want to look at ponying up for something better. The small storage capacities and lack of photography-specific tools will inhibit your workflow as your photography career grows.
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Cloud Storage For Professional Photographers
As your photography career evolves, so do your storage needs. Large RAW files, a growing portfolio, and client demands call for advanced storage solutions with ample storage capacity, security, ease of use, and seamless workflow integration.
Here are the best cloud storage solutions for professional photographers, depending on your specific needs and priorities:
Adobe Creative Cloud
If you’re using Lightroom for editing, Adobe Creative Cloud is an obvious first choice for cloud storage. Seamless integration with Lightroom and Photoshop makes it a natural step in your workflow. The Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan starts at $9.99/month (USD) for 20GB of storage. If you’re just using it for storage, not editing, Adobe can be expensive compared to other options.
Pros: Seamless workflow integration.
Cons: Cost for additional storage.
Backblaze
My personal cloud storage solution of choice is Backblaze. It’s a straight-up, no-nonsense option for unlimited storage at $9/month. It can handle thousands of images plus all the other content on my computer. Its automatic backup system means I can set and forget. It's the best solution for maintaining extensive archives at a low price.
However, it doesn’t integrate with editing tools or have many sharing options. I use DropBox to store edited photos online for quick access while keeping everything else backed up in Backblaze.
Pros: Set-and-forget backup with unlimited storage.
Cons: Backs up entire computer; user-interface is dated.
SmugMug Source
If presenting your work to clients in an elegant, professional manner is a top priority, SmugMug Source is a great choice. Designed for photographers, it offers unlimited storage for RAW files and customizable galleries to present your work. This makes it not only a cloud storage solution but also a client presentation tool.
It is pricier compared to other options, with plans starting at $31/month or $246/year (USD).
Pros: Cloud storage and portfolio hosting in one platform.
Cons: Cost; it’s overkill if you don’t need portfolio features.
NordLocker
If security concerns are at top of mind, NordLocker offers some of the best encryption available. If you regularly handle sensitive client data or projects that need top-level security, NordLocker may be your perfect cloud storage solution. You are the only person who will see your data.
It isn’t built specifically for photographers so it lacks advanced photo features. Pricing starts at $7.99/month for 500GB, though you save by signing up for one year.
Pros: High security.
Cons: Lacks workflow integration; cost.
Arq Backup
For tech-savvy photographers, Arq Backup offers efficient, incremental backups, meaning it only uploads changes made to files instead of the entire file, saving time and bandwidth. A feature unique to Arq is that it will also back up your external hard drives, adding an extra layer of protection. Arq Premium gives 1TB of storage for $59.99/year.
Pros: Speed; backs up external hard drives.
Cons: Complex interface will challenge non-tech people.
IDrive
For photographers juggling multiple devices, IDrive backs up across all of them—your PC or Mac, phone, and tablet—in real-time. The IDrive Mini Plan offers 500GB for $9.95 for the first year (USD) so it's an affordable option for moderate storage needs. Because it isn’t designed with photographers in mind, it lacks any workflow integration or special features.
Pros: Multi-device backup.
Cons: Lacks workflow integration.
pCloud
Lifetime membership with pCloud means you can pay once and never worry about paying for storage again. It provides robust security, including optional zero knowledge encryption, and 2TB of storage.
Pros: Lifetime storage; security.
Cons: Lacks workflow integration; encryption costs extra.
Optimizing Your Cloud Storage
Whether a beginner or professional photographer, you can save storage space in the cloud by culling your shoot quickly. Use an AI-powered culling tool like Narrative Select which uploads your RAWs in seconds and rapidly identifies your best and worst photos. You can quickly get rid of the imperfect images and never even have to store them in the first place. Give it a try for free and see how it works for you.
The best choice for cloud storage is the one that meets your individual needs. When just starting out as a photographer, beginner-friendly options like Google Drive or Amazon Photos may give you enough cloud storage without a huge investment. But as your career expands and your needs evolve, more advanced options like Adobe Creative Cloud or Backblaze will be better suited.
Ultimately, the right solution is the one you will use consistently. Find one that fits into your workflow, is easy to use, and keeps your files secure.
Streamline Your Post-Shoot Workflow
As you streamline your storage solutions, don’t forget about the rest of your post-shoot workflow.
After culling with Narrative Select, speed up your editing with Narrative Edit. In Edit, our AI tools create your own Personal Styles or you can use our curated Artist Styles to quickly and easily get the look you want, consistently.
We are all about helping photographers spend less time at the computer and more time behind the lens—or doing whatever makes your heart happy.
Professional photographers say Narrative’s tools cut their culling and editing time in half—why not see for yourself?
Try Narrative Select + Edit for free today!
