“There were goats in my bathroom.”
That was an actual comment I heard after Hurricane Ian. And as strange as it sounds, it wasn’t even the most unbelievable story from those weeks after the storm.
When disaster strikes, survival becomes the only priority. A 10-foot storm surge was heading for our area, and for one family, that meant the safest place for their neighbor’s goats was the second-floor bathroom. In that moment, it made perfect sense.
But what I’ll never forget is what came afterward.
When you’re living through a crisis so extreme that goats in the bathroom feel normal, there’s no time to worry about the little things and sadly, those little things often include our most cherished family memories.
Days later, I watched the heartbreak unfold as people realized their entire collection of print photos had been lost. Childhood pictures, family weddings, photos of loved ones who had passed away all gone in a matter of hours.
I saw that pain. And I also saw how avoidable it could have been.
That experience led me to write Beyond the Storm, a book filled with real stories and simple, proactive ways to protect your photo legacy. Because the truth is, there are easy steps you can take right now to safeguard your memories long before a disaster ever touches your home.
It has also led me to share my BEST tips for being proactive here too! One huge takeaway from that time is that for photos to be safe they need to be stored in multiple locations and one really needs to be off-site.
Here are steps to store a copy of your photos off-site:
5 Easy Ways to Store Photos Safely—Away from Home
If a natural disaster, fire, or theft ever impacts your home, having your photos backed up elsewhere could mean the difference between total loss and total peace of mind. Here are a few ways to store your photos safely off-site:
1. Amazon Photos
Great for Prime members—offers unlimited photo storage and automatic backup from your phone. Easy to use and accessible from anywhere.
2. Google Photos
Another reliable option with smart organization tools, facial recognition, and seamless syncing from devices.
3. Dropbox
Ideal for organizing folders of scanned print photos or original image files. Works well across multiple devices and makes file sharing simple.
4. Forever Storage
A paid service that offers permanent photo storage with no compression, plus long-term digital preservation. A great choice for legacy-minded users.
5. A Physical Backup in Another Location
Store an external hard drive or USB flash drive in a trusted family member’s home, a safe deposit box, or even a fireproof and waterproof off-site storage facility. It’s a simple, low-tech solution that can still make a huge difference. Here is a great external hard drive option that you can use to store a copy of your photos:
And if you’re looking for even more help getting the most enjoyment out of your photos, check out the other ways we can connect:
👉 Grab my free Photo Resource Guide – it’s packed with tools, apps, and simple steps to get started.
👉 Check out my book, Beyond the Storm – a powerful blend of true stories and practical advice for safeguarding your photos.
👉 Want to dive deeper? My online course will walk you through organizing and scanning a lifetime of print photos.
👉 Want to join the photo organizing CRUISE? This fun getaway is set for February 2026 and YOU are invited to join! Check out The Great Photo Voyage and be sure and sign up soon, space is limited!
Or follow along on social media! Check out Instagram and YouTube to get my latest information.