Modul3-1 - How I built my current data storage system

Pattakespictures

12-02-2026

Module 3 - Lesson 1

How I built my current data storage system

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I do not know how you started or what your early setup looked like, but when I first picked up a camera

I honestly knew nothing about data storage. I did not realize how complex it could become, how many problems it could cause, or how critical it would be to my workflow later on.

At the beginning, I never thought about file sizes, how many photos I would eventually take, or that a single photo walk could easily result in thousands of images within just a few hours.

The early days

When I started shooting, I simply went out with my DSLR and relied entirely on my MacBook’s internal storage. For a while, that was more than enough. There was still plenty of free space, mainly because the laptop had not been used for serious work before.

This is the same MacBook I still use today for all my work. It is an M1 based machine, around five years old. Video editing is slower now, and Lightroom masking can lag at times, but for my current needs, it still does the job.

At this stage, there was no real system in place. I started creating a basic structure with a 2023 folder, separating RAW files, finished images, and videos, organized by date and location. This was also when I began experimenting with my first presets. Nothing advanced, just learning, watching a lot of tutorials, spending long hours editing Instagram posts. Back then, I had roughly 200 to 700 followers and was very much in the learning phase.

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The first problems

After a few months, as my style began to develop and I started shooting more consistently

The first serious issue appeared. Relying only on internal storage was no longer sustainable. The drive began to fill up, performance dropped, and editing became more difficult.

I looked for external solutions but did not want to invest too much at that stage. Not because money was not available, but because there were other priorities. I chose a budget external hard drive, a WD 2TB My Passport Portable HDD USB 3.0.
At the time, it felt like a huge upgrade. I had previously managed with around 500 GB for half a year, so 2 TB felt almost endless. In reality, it was not.
The setup was simple. MacBook and external hard drive. I worked from a small desk whenever I had free time.

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Camera upgrade and data growth

Later, I switched from a DSLR to a cropped sensor mirrorless camera, the Canon R10. This was the point where my photo walks started producing much larger volumes of images.

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Part of this was due to my shooting settings, which I will cover in a separate lesson, but I quickly got used to shooting full sequences of a single scene.

As my archive grew, finding specific images became more difficult. This is when the structure I still use today began to take shape, with minor refinements over time.

I store RAW files in dedicated folders, organized by date and location. This works extremely well for me because I do not shoot every day. Usually, I go out once every couple of weeks, so even a year later, I know exactly where to look for a specific photo.

Another key part of my workflow is using Lightroom collections to manage active projects, selections, and completed work. I will not go into detail here, as this deserves its own dedicated lesson.

When the HDD was no longer enough

Just as the MacBook storage filled up within six months, the 2 TB HDD also started to fill surprisingly fast. After another six months, storage became a problem again.

Around this time, I upgraded my camera once more, moving from the Canon R10 to a full frame Canon R6 Mark II. With this camera, it was not uncommon to shoot up to 3000 images during a two to three hour walk. Storage demands increased dramatically.

On top of that, I experienced serious issues with the external hard drive. There were moments when I connected it, and nothing happened. The drive would not show up, and my files were inaccessible.

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After multiple attempts, panic set in. By then, my first preset pack was already finished and even being sold, on a small scale, mainly through Instagram. Losing that drive would have meant losing everything I had built up to that point.

I ordered a new cable immediately. It did not help. The next day, after one more attempt, the drive suddenly worked again. That moment completely changed my mindset. I realized this setup was too risky.

Moving to SSD storage

I started researching more reliable but still affordable options. This led me to my first SSD based setup, combined with an external dock.

I purchased the ACASIS Mac Mini Dock Dual Monitor along with a Samsung 990 PRO NVMe M.2 SSD, 4 TB version. This setup has been my main working drive since September 2024. At the time of recording this lesson, it is almost full, with only around 100 GB remaining.

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This solution is significantly faster, more stable, and more reliable than a traditional HDD. However, it is important to be honest about its limitations. There is no true backup, and the data exists in only one location, which still carries risk.

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For beginners or developing photographers, this can be an excellent intermediate step, offering a major improvement in speed and stability.

The next level

I have now reached the point where the next upgrade is no longer about capacity, but about security. The next step will likely be a UGREEN NAS system. The exact configuration is not finalized yet, but this will be a long term, professional level solution.

This is where data is not only fast to access, but properly protected.

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Final thoughts

I hope this personal story helped you reflect on your own data storage situation and see where you currently stand.

One thing is certain. Data security is not a luxury. If you can afford it, invest in it. A single failure can erase years of hard work.