
This week, I turn 50.
50 is the kind of number that makes you extra nostalgic. It has me thinking of how full all of those 50 years have been.
Full of stories, laughter, lessons, people, and places that have shaped me.
To celebrate, I’m doing something wild and wonderful: I’m heading off on a tropical getaway with 28 of my favorite people. I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that so many are traveling from near and far just to celebrate with me. Before we even step foot on the sand, I already know: this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments. The kind you hold onto forever.
It certainly has me feeling nostalgic.
When I think back on my biggest life moments – the truly unforgettable ones – I realize how clearly I remember them because of the photos. The blurry snapshots, the perfectly timed candids, the posed group shots with too many sunglasses and sunburns. Those images don’t just remind me what happened – they remind me how I felt.
That’s why I’ve always been intentional about protecting my photos. Whether they’re old prints from childhood, digital files from early cameras, or the memories I’m about to capture this week – I take steps to make sure they’re safe.
Here’s how I do it:
- Past Photos: I’ve scanned my prints and some negatives too, labeling and backing them up digitally.
- Daily Backups: Every photo I take on my phone is backed up to Amazon Photos. I selected this cloud service because it is free with Amazon Prime, however any cloud service would do the trick.
- Monthly Backups: I also back up all of my digital photos to an external hard drive.
- Special Moments: For events like this one, I’ll create a dedicated folder so I can easily relive and share the full story. I’m already thinking this one might need to be it’s own printed photo album too!
Because the truth is, life moves fast. But the memories we save – the ones we can flip through, revisit, and share – those are what stay with us.
So as I dance into this next chapter with sandy toes and a full heart, I’ll be doing what I always do: snapping photos, soaking up the moments, and making sure these memories don’t just live in my head – they can live safely in my hands too.
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👉 Grab my free Photo Resource Guide – it’s packed with tools, apps, and simple steps to get started.
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