Spending that much time managing clients basically means freelancers are missing out of 20% extra profit, because that’s time allocated away from client deliverables and towards administration. Today, we’re here to talk about Bloom.io, a CRM (customer relationship management) platform that frees up your time, so you can increase billable work hours, and look way more professional while you do it.

Why Are CRM Platforms Useful for Freelancers?

Photographers and freelancers learn to wear so many hats, and also use so many different tools. We use one tool for our website, another to capture leads, another to track leads, another to communicate, another to send proposals/invoices, another to sign contracts, another to track tasks, another to process payments, another to deliver images, etc, etc.

This leads to a disconnected system which becomes a massive time drain, especially for busy freelancers running photography businesses, copywriting businesses, website design or other deliverable-based services. While you may have run into solutions like Honeybook and Dubsado, I found these platforms to fall short in their user interface, and how they were difficult to learn to use.

Recently, I was introduced to a new platform called Bloom.io, which is doing something different. From what I can tell, it’s the only marketing-CRM that gives you very powerful tools not only to manage existing clients but to acquire new ones by giving you some pretty insane lead generation tools.

Who Is Bloom.io For?

Bloom is incredibly easy to set up and is perfect for photographers and freelancers running side-gigs, all the way to automating large studios.For the new photographer, you can launch your website, portfolio, and all your lead generation and contract templates are there to get you going. For the established pro, you can use Bloom to automate your already working system, freeing up your time for things that matter the most to you like personal time, or spending more hours behind the camera instead of behind the computer. So the short answer is it’s for everyone.

Key Features Of Bloom

1. An interface designed for visual learners.

When you log into the Bloom.io CRM platform for the first time, you’re presented with a streamlined guide of what to do to get up and running along with several embedded “how to” guides for additional help. Working through them was a breeze and once that’s done, the layout is simple and easy to navigate making managing your business a breeze.

2. Sign contracts and send invoices like a professional.

How you invoice your clients is part of your brand experience. Here are some ways in which Bloom stands out.

• Payment integrations with Stripe, Square, Paypal, Zelle, Venmo & Cash App.
• Add contracts to invoices.
• Fully supports multiple currencies and international users.
• Quickbooks integration.
• Retainers, discounts, tipping, & recurring invoices.
• Incredibly beautiful client experience.

3. Live Website Chat Widget.

(This feature when paired with the mobile app is amazing.) This feature alone was worth the price of admission for me. I’ve been able to communicate with potential clients while on the road, on set, and anywhere that I at least had cellular access! The ability to respond like a text message and send as a chat or email to the lead is kind of unreal and incredibly useful for those fast-turnaround bids.

4. Revolutionary forms that do the selling for you.

(You can practically automate everything!) I’m still diving into this section of my setup. It’s kind of overwhelming having never used a system like this before, but it’s really laid out well, especially if you have your info and contracts ready to go already. In the next few weeks I hope to have my system completely automated and cannot wait to see how it works with my clients.

5. Built-in client image galleries & proofing tools.

Many professional photographers use digital client galleries instead of an online drive like dropbox or Google. Instead of paying for a separate tool, Bloom has this entire feature-set built right into the CRM! At this point, they only support digital downloads, so if you rely heavily on print fulfillment, you’ll want to keep your 3rd party image sharing solution.

6. Full suite of business tools.

Bloom also includes a scheduling tool replacing Calendly, contract signing replacing Docusign, automations, lead management tools, and even a website portfolio builder if you don’t already have a website. It works well if you’re just starting out or already a seasoned business.

7. The price is right.

(You can try the system for free with a 7-day trial!) Bloom.io is an incredibly affordable CRM solution for photographers (and other freelancers). After your one week free trial, you can roll into a $13/month plan and always upgrade from there. Even with the full-platform it’s on par with an Adobe Subscription.

Conclusion

There are a lot of CRM tools out there, but few that Ii’ve seen have been as easy to dive into and get rolling as Bloom. While I’ve only scratched the surface of what you can do on their system, I’m already in love with it and will be spending a lot of time over the next few weeks expanding on my automation, packages, and contracts. All so that I can make my website a one-stop-shop for all of my future work, freeing me up to spend more time face to face with my clients.

Another thing I’ve loved is their 24-hour support. Anytime I had a problem on my end, or with a feature that I felt could be added, the support team was there and ready to help. In fact all the things I mentioned as a feature request have already been implemented in the system!

If you’d like to give Bloom a try, it comes with a free 7-day trial and as an added bonus, they’re giving our reads a $4/mo offer for the first 4 months if you use this link: https://bloom.io/slrlounge

Do you use any other CRM tools? Which are your favorites and why? Be sure to let us know what you think if you’re already a user of Bloom (past or present), and if you decide to give them a try for your Photography business.

If we missed anything, or if you have any recommendations on what we should consider for next year, please comment below!

Best Travel / Compact Light Stands

One thing the photographer on the road has to have in their kit is a great travel light stand for those moments you’ll need a little extra light. The key to a great travel light stand is one that is lightweight, folds up into a neat compact package that hopefully can also fit easily in a suitcase, but still is tough and sturdy to make sure your gear can be supported.

Manfrotto 5001B 74-Inch Nano Stand (Our Choice)

Our 2nd place Winner for Best Travel Light Stand.

A compact photo stand that packs a mighty punch. The Nano Black Stand combines clever and compact features with a strong anodized frame. Come rain or shine, you can be sure that this hardwearing stand won’t flake, rust or wobble under pressure, even when supporting equipment weighing up to 3.31 lbs (1.5kg). It’s time to get out there!

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | B&H |Amazon

Impact Heavy-Duty Air-Cushioned Light Stand

Our  Winner for Best Travel Light Stand.

This Impact Heavy-Duty Air-Cushioned Light Stand is a black anodized aluminum support that rises to a height of 9.5′ and folds down to 42″ for storage and transport. The stand will handle up to 22 lb and is topped with a removable 5/8″ spigot with 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 threads. It has a wide footprint of 52″ for greater stability. Air cushioning gently lowers the light when making height adjustments to protect equipment and fingers. At a price of just $54.95 you can’t go wrong here!

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Avenger Baby ALU 25 Stand

Our 3rd Place Winner for Best Travel Light Stand

The Avenger A0025B Baby Alu 25 Stand is a versatile, lightweight aluminum stand. It is quick to set up and very stable. Its locking T-knobs are large and ergonomic — making it easy for you to efficiently lock each section. This stand rises to a maximum height of 8.2′ (2.5 m). The Baby Alu Stand 25 has a black anodized finish and it folds to a size that is short enough for almost any kit case – 34.25″.

The drawback on this stand is even though it’s a compact “travel” light stand, it’s one of the heavier ones weighing in at 6.61lbs so if you make this choice, plan accordingly.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

The Best Medium Light Stand

When a balance between portability and strength is required then sometimes even those cheap light stands that come bundled with kits can do. I know, to some of you I just blasphemed but bare with me. Most of those stands are better used as paper weights than light stands. I’ve even had one (wasn’t actually that cheap) literally crumble away; The metal began to crumble at the screw but thankfully I was there to catch it. Lots of those cheap stands are made from bad metal and plastic. The type of metal which you can’t clamp anything to as it just bends. Useless

My cheap recommendation here, and one stand that I use all the time, is the Bowens BW-6610. They’re heavy, reliable, and cheap. On B&H you can grab one for the paltry sum of $58.99. Whereas on the second-hand market real bargains can be had.

If you’re looking for something a little more portable (and expensive), take a look at the Manfrotto stackable range of light stands. The 1052BAC ($83.99) only extends to 7.7’ but has a unique stacking system which makes transporting multiple stands that much easier. There’s a whole host of sizes within this range. On the negative side, they tend to weigh a little more, and that’s the compromise other than cost.

You can find the Manfrotto here  and the Bowens here.

Best Full-Sized C-Stands

When nothing else matters but the quality of your image, you’ll make sure the light stand and every other accessory attached to it is as good as it can get! For this, we’ve got the top three full-sized professional light stands of the year for you to bring your work to the next level.

These don’t have the compact space saving designs like the travel light stands, but that’s a fair trade for the weight, stability and security you’ll get out of the heavy-duty c-stand and light stands below.

Matthews 40″ C-Stand with Spring-Loaded Base

Our Winner for the Best Full-Sized Light Stand

This black Matthews 40″ C-Stand Kit is comprised of a 10.5′ stand with a 40″ double riser and spring-loaded base that work to achieve a maximum height of 126″, or collapse down to a minimum height of 53″. A 40″ grip arm with attached 2.5″ grip head; and a 2.5″ removable grip head allow for multiple attachment options. The unique staggered leg design of the C-Stand allows it to be nested and placed extremely close to one another on a set, and the included grip arm and grip heads offer an assured, non-slip hold with both 3/8″ and 5/8″ mounting holes.

Check the prices from our preferred retailer below:

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Kupo 40″ Riser C-Stand Turtle Base Kit

Our 2nd Place Winner for the Best Full-Sized Light Stand.

The 9.7′, black 40″ Riser C-Stand Turtle Base Kit from Kupo is outfitted with a patented spring ring locking system that removes all tension from the legs so that gravity can do the work for you. A “turtle base” is an industry term where the riser section can be quickly removed from the base for easy transportation and the base can be used with a stand adapter for a low mounting position.

The 40″ Grip Arm with Hex Stud is a 2 1/2″ grip head mounted on the end of a 40″ piece of steel tubing 5/8″ (16 mm) in diameter and finished with a faceted hex stud to keep lighting fixtures in position when they are placed on the end of the arm. The 2-1/2″ grip head consists of a pair of rotating aluminum discs attached to a 5/8″ (16 mm) receiver. The discs have four different sized “V” shaped jaws to accept any accessory with a 5/8″, 1/2″, 3/8″ or 1/4″ mounting stud or tubing. The “V” shaped jaws have “teeth” that grab whatever is mounted between the plates securely. The 2-1/2″ grip head features an oversized ergonomic “T” handle and dedicated roller bearings designed for maximum torque.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Neewer Heavy Duty Light Stand C-Stand

Our 3rd Place Winner for the Best Full-Sized Light Stand.

The Neewer light stand (double kit in this instance) is perfect for supporting most photographic equipment, including softboxes, reflectors, large strobe lights, and more. Suitable to use for indoor photo studio portrait, arts, magazine, video shooting or outdoor events.

The sturdy 3 legs, combined with a solid locking system, ensures the safety of the equipment. Steel material and heavy duty structure make it durable for long time use. Portable lightweight design for easier carrying, making your trip more convenient.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

• Amazon

Unique Stands & Honorable Mentions

While there are lots of Light Stand manufacturers out there, there’s not a lot of variety in design out there…but every now and again, something will come out that’s a bit different, surprising, and oddly useful in special situations. This section is dedicated to those light stands that you may not have heard of before or never knew that you totally needed!

Savage Universal MultiFlex Light Stand (Our Choice)

Our Winner for Best Unique Light Stand

The air-cushioned, 6′ MultiFlex Light Stand from Savage is a space-saving solution to setting up in tight spaces or on uneven terrain. Thanks to a clever design, instead of being fixed, one of the three legs can slide down from its normal position on the stand’s center section until it nearly touches the floor. That means squeezing a leg under a couch or table is no problem, stairs are a snap, and supporting gear on hilly terrain is routine. The stand has an industry-standard 5/8″ top stud, and comes with a touch fastener strap and a padded carry case for storage and transport.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Manfrotto 156BLB Mini Kit Stand

Our 2nd Place Winner for Best Unique Light Stand

The Manfrotto Backlite Mini Kit Stand is a versatile, hardworking, lightweight, aluminum stand. It is quick to set up, and very stable. It features a black anodized finish, plus a removable 1/4″-20 threaded tip that reveals a 3/8″ threaded tip on the top 5/8″ Baby top stud. Designed and kind of awesome for lightweight setups in small work areas. This rig works great for hiding a backdrop light behind your subjects or even using as a base for a reflector setup during your headshot sessions.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Manfrotto 231B Column Stand with Sliding Arm

Our 3rd Place Winner for Best Unique Light Stand.

The Manfrotto 231B Column Stand with Sliding Arm is a black anodized aluminum, wheeled, single column stand that is perfect for studio use. It features a spring-loaded sliding arm that allows quick height adjustment of your light fixture from almost floor level to nearly the top-most of its 8′ chromium steel column.

The 231 has a leveling leg, which extends and locks, making the load more stable on uneven surfaces such as steps. This product is available with a brushed aluminum finish (#231) or with a chrome steel column, (231CS).

This beast is best suited for studio work and clearly gives you a wide variety and flexibility with its setup and usage, especially since you can add accessories to use one stand to mount multiple lights and modifiers. Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Cheetahstand C8 3-Section Aluminum Light Stand

The CheetahStand C8 light stand sets up automatically. Set it down and the stand legs open automatically. Pick it up and it closes automatically. The light weight three-section CheetahStand offers quick setups and repositioning. Whenever you have to move a light, just lift it.

The automatic legs, making it easy to move safely and easily through a crowded room without putting down your camera. The CheetahStand C8 is recommended for supporting portable, shoe-mounted flash units or small monolights.

The CheetahStand C8 extends from 29″ to 96″ in height and collapses to 28.5″ for storage, has a footprint that’s 32″ in diameter, anc can support up to 6 lbs.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers: Adorama | Amazon

Amazon Basics Light Stand

If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to consider the Amazon Basics Light Stand.  While not the most durable light stand, it gets the job done if you’re looking for a serviceable solution.

See the full Amazon Basics Light Stand Review for more info.

Additionally! Don’t Forget Your Sand Bags

Another thing to keep in mind with light stands, no matter what style you have, it’s in your best interest to always carry sand-bags to help safely secure your gear once set up. You can get pre-made/packaged ones or even just container bags that you can put your own weights in on site (to save on travel stress). For instance;

Impact Empty SBE-B-15 Saddle Sandbag

Stabilize your light stands, boom arms, backgrounds, and more with the Impact Black Empty 15 lb Capacity Saddle Sandbag. Easily transport the empty saddlebag to your location where it can be filled with available sand, dirt, or rocks and securely zipped shut. When your shoot is over, simply empty the contents to make your load lighter for the commute back home. Weather- and water-resistant cordura fabric stands up to the elements and use over time, while the double-zipper design provides an extra level of security to prevent the contents from spilling. Upper and lower handles made of durable nylon webbing allow multiple options for transport and hanging as a counterweight. Check the pricing here: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Key Considerations When Buying a Light Stand or Flash Stand

The purchase of a light stand will be a compromise. There is as of yet (and I doubt will ever be) a light stand that can hold tons of weight, extend extremely high, pack down very small, and weigh very little. As a result, you will always be compromising between portability and strength. Decide which is most important for your work and start your decision-making process there.

There is, of course, the third consideration present in all of our purchases; budget. From my experience, the cheapest light stands are a complete and utter waste of money. That said, there is room to save a little if you’re clever with what you purchase and know exactly what you need. The following consists of my recommendations, based on the stands I have used, which I think represent the best value. They are not the cheapest, but neither are they the most expensive.

Here is a list of all the gear discussed in this article:

• Impact Heavy-Duty Air-Cushioned Light stand
• manfrotto 5001b 74-Inch Nano Stand (Our Choice) (Our Choice)
• Avenger Baby ALU 25 Stand
• Matthews 40″ C-Stand with Spring-Loaded Base
• Kupo 40″ Riser C-Stand Turtle Base Kit
• Neewer Heavy Duty Light stand C-Stand
• Savage Universal MultiFlex Light stand (Our Choice)
• Manfrotto 156BLB Mini Kit Stand
• Manfrotto 231B Column Stand with Sliding Arm
• Impact Empty SBE-B-15 Saddle sandbag

The best way to save yourself some cash when buying a light stand is to firstly know exactly what you need. You always get what you pay for but you might not need everything that the more expensive options bring. Also, my suggestion is to avoid the cheapest stands like the plague.

To help you decide which strap and/or holster is right for you, we’ve created our list of the Best Camera Straps and Holsters for Photographers, updated annually. These lists are based on our personal experience as working photographers combined with extensive research from other reputable sources online.

If we missed anything, or if you have any recommendations on what we should consider for next year, please comment below!  For more “best of” lists, see our Best Of category.

Best Camera Straps

Just like all of our other photo & video accessories, most photographers will have at least two different camera straps in their arsenal that gets switched out depending on the situation. Myself, I’ve got six different straps and holsters and I use each and every one of them. In fact, now that I’m writing this article, I realize that a few of them are due to be retired and replaced with updated versions.

Peak Design Slide Sling Strap (Our Choice)

Our Winner for Best Camera Strap.

The Peak Design Slide, (or Slide Lite), Camera Sling Strap is one of the favorites on the market and for most people we’ve spoken too. It’s a versatile strap that can be used as a standard neck strap as well as a sling or shoulder strap.

It comes with several attachments to work with a plethora of camera systems and integrates seamlessly with the Peak Design Bags & Clip System. The Slide strap is internally padded and both (the Slide and Slide Lite) are made from nylon webbing. There is a grippy side designed for when you’re wearing the strap as a shoulder/sling to help prevent slipping. Both straps have dual quick-adjusters to provide quick and easy adjustments to the length of the strap with easy reconfigurations.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

[Related Reading: The Best Camera Bags According To SLR Lounge]

BlackRapid Curve Breath Camera Strap

Our 2nd Place Winner for Best Camera Strap.

BlackRapid has quickly become one of the most trusted names in camera straps. The Curve Breath is an update to one of their original straps that improves upon its previous model with a new mesh material to improve airflow (or “breathability”) and still offer an incredibly comfortable padding.

The cross-body strap, which is optimized for female photographers, places the camera at waist level to give you quick and easy access while offering you the ability to go “hands free,” letting it hang safety and securely when you need a break or have to use your hands for something else.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

ONA Presidio Camera Strap

Our 3rd Place Winner for Best Camera Strap.

The Ona Presidio Camera Strap is our choice for a sleek and retro-looking camera strap to match the rest of your gear and style. Made with Italian Tanned Leather, this strap is also padded with soft neoprene and chrome buckles to allow for easy length adjustments.

The quality material in this strap will ensure that even the heaviest of gear won’t be too much of a strain over the course of a day. This strap is also available in a waxed-canvas design for $30 cheaper if you’re looking for a similar style on a budget.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

Lucky Straps Standard 53

Our Choice for Honorable Mention

The Lucky Brand Standard 53 Camera strap is kind of incredible, from the packaging, to the custom embossing, to the optional strap lengths, and quality oiled leather. The strap is an absolute top quality strap that meets the needs for something functional and comfortable, as well as absolutely great looking with a touch of personal flare!

The strap is longer and more comfortable than most stock camera straps and is designed to be worn like a sling across your body rather than a “standard” around the neck strap. The only downside to this strap is they are made (lovingly) in Australia and as such, are currently only available by ordering directly from the company website, but even so the deliveries are fast, affordable, and trackable!

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Lucky

Best Camera Holsters

While some holsters are technically still a part of the strap category, they’ll provide you with some extra versatility and comfort that a “normal” camera strap can’t provide. Used on their own or in tandem with the camera straps mentioned above, the holster systems will give you a “quick draw” feel that you won’t soon forget.

Holdfast Gear Money Maker Holster (Our Choice)

Our Winner for Best Camera Holster.

The Holdfast Gear Money Maker is a sleek and stylish dual camera holster that not only looks fantastic but functions even better. If you’re a wedding or event photographer, you’re used to having to carry around multiple cameras and lenses, so back & neck pain are nothing new, but the Money Maker helps alleviate that.

This strap is designed to carry one, two, or three cameras all while evenly distributing the weight to reduce the pressure on your lower back.

Available in a variety of colors, (and materials now), the Holdfast Gear Money Maker also boasts a clip design used to attach a sail to a boat, giving you an extra sense of security for your gear.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

[REWIND: Camera Strap Review | Money Maker Camera Harness By HoldFast Gear]

Spider Camera SpiderPro Single Camera System V2 Holster

Our 2nd Place Winner for Best Camera Holster.

Spider Camera’s SpiderPro Single Camera System V2 Holster is a solid favorite among photographers who prefer to not wear straps for their system. On top of the comfort bonus, you no longer need to worry about neck burn and chafing from a full day of running around with one or more straps over your back. The hip holster system frees your upper body by making use of a “utility-belt” style with a quick draw locking system, giving you both quick access and secure safety for your gear.

The belt is padded for comfort and system wear prevention with a triple-action lock system to ensure it doesn’t unbuckle accidently. And for those concerned about the mounting plate preventing you from attaching additional accessories, fear not! The mounting plate system is designed so that you can attach tripod mount/plate or similar accessory as needed for quick shifts in your shoot.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

Peak Design Capture Pro Camera Clip V3

Our 3rd Place Winner for Best Camera Holster.

One of the great things about the Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 is you can attach your camera to pretty much any existing belt or strap in your arsenal. Strap onto your pants belt, your backpack straps, or some of the Peak Design bags have specific reinforced loops designed for the Clip.

This system uses an Arca Swiss style quick release plate that can withstand up to 200 lbs of force while still providing instant access to your camera with its quick-release lock. The plate can also be used directly as a tripod mount if needed, giving you some extra creative freedom.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Adorama | Amazon | B&H

How to Choose The Best Camera Strap or Holster

The thing to keep in mind when choosing your strap and/or holster is the size of your camera, as well as the entire kit that you use on a day-to-day basis. While something like the Holdfast Gear Money Maker may catch your eye for its style and design, if you’re only using a single small mirrorless system, it may be a tad overkill for your current needs. Thankfully, the main part of the selection process will come down to how it fits on you, personally.

You’ll have to be mindful of the room your gear will need to sit properly in the strap/holster and on your body. If a particular belt or strap is too tight, it’ll be pretty hard to get to and use your camera quickly. If it’s too loose, you run the risk of bumping and damaging your gear.

Be sure to try these things on for yourself to find the right fit for you and then start evaluating what additional features you want based on your work and personal habits.

The other things to consider are the materials the straps and holsters are made from, how adjustable are they, if they can support attachments, and the number of cameras (or accessories) they can accommodate.

Summary

Here is a list of all the gear discussed in this article:

• Peak Design Slide Sling Strap (Our Choice)
• BlackRapid Curve Breath Camera Strap
• ONA Presidio Camera Strap
• Lucky Strap Standard 53 (Honorable Mention)
• Holdfast Gear Money Maker Holster (Our Choice)
• Spider Camera SpiderPro Single Camera System V2 Holster
• Peak Design Capture Pro Camera Clip V3

What did we miss? Please give us feedback so that we can check out other bags and keep this list up-to-date.

What is a Trail Camera?

Whether you are a wildlife photographer or a hunter, trail cameras can benefit your outdoor activities. A trail camera, also known as game cameras, allows you to see an area’s natural animal activity without human interaction. These cameras work by the use of motion detection; when an animal trips the sensor, the camera will take a picture or start recording a video.

Regardless of why you are using a trail camera, it is advised to set up multiples to get different views of the same site or cover more area. These cameras are rugged and typically attached to trees with straps and screws, so there is little need to worry about leaving delicate equipment out in the elements.

[Related Reading: Presenting the Finalists of the 2020 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards!]

What to Look for in a Trail Camera?

The best trail cameras should be durable, weatherproof, and secure due to the environment it will be used in. Depending on how you intend to use the camera, there are a handful of elements to look out for when trying to find the best trail camera for you.

Trigger Time – This is the amount of time the camera takes from when it senses motion to when it takes a photo or begins recording. The longer the trigger time, the better chance you have of missing whatever tripped the sensor.

Detection Range – This is the range of length at which the camera can detect motion. The larger the range, the better the camera. The field of view goes along with this, as it denotes the width of the angle at which the camera detects movement. A wider field of view allows for more time to get a shot of the creature.

Image or Video Quality – For those interested in trail cameras for wildlife photography, this is an essential quality of a camera. The image or video quality is measured by megapixels. The more megapixels a camera has, the better the quality of photo or video.

Battery Life and Power – Typical trail cameras have an extended battery life of six months and up to a year. But the more features a camera has, such as the ability to record a video or transfer images over a cell signal, the faster the battery will drain. Many cameras run off of AA batteries, although some higher-end models are solar-powered.

Storage Capacity – The camera’s storage capacity will determine how many images and videos it can store before needing to be emptied. Look for a camera with a large internal storage capacity or one that can support an external memory card.

Durability and Weather Resistance – A trail camera must be durable and weather-resistant to withstand the harsh outdoor environment. Look for a camera with a sturdy build and an IP rating of at least 65 to ensure it can withstand rain, snow, and other weather elements.

What Are the Best Trail Cameras?

Next, let’s review some of the best trail cameras on the market.

Browning Trail Camera Spec Ops

This compact trail camera boasts an impressive 20-megapixel sensor for optimum image resolution and an ability to capture 1920 x 1080 full HD video, perfect for viewing on the big screen at home. The camera comes with a USB and TV-out jack, just for this purpose. The passive infrared motion sensor can detect movement up to 80 feet away, and the invisible night vision allows for impressive photos without startling the animals.

The Browning Trail Camera Spec Ops XR runs off eight AA batteries and can last up to seven months. With a 0.4-0.7 second trigger speed, you are sure to get the shot no matter how fast the animal is moving.

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Wildgame Innovations Mirage 18

With its adaptive illumination, this trail camera automatically controls the exposure based on the distance to the target. It provides quality photos and 720p video with an 18-megapixel sensor while employing silent shield technology to prevent the animals from being frightened away.

The Wildegame Innovations Mirage 18’s detection range extends out 90 feet with trigger speeds less than half a second. It has an extended battery life and runs off of 8 AA batteries.

Amazon

Spypoint Solar Dark

The Spypoint Solar Dark may be more costly than some, but it provides the added reassurance that comes with a solar-powered camera. In addition to its nearly unlimited battery-life, the camera boasts a detection range of up to 110 feet and an invisible flash range of up to 90 feet.

This trail camera’s 12-megapixel sensor, with its blur reduction and time-lapse mode, will provide excellent quality photos and 720p videos perfect for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers alike.

B&H | Amazon

Browning Strike Force Sub Micro 10MP

This trail camera combines a fast trigger time at 0.67 seconds and a 10-megapixel sensor with zero blur night photos to produce quality photos and video. Its infrared flash reaches up to 100 feet for sharper, more defined images.

This is all done on six AA batteries, and the camera includes the Browning Buck Watch time-lapse viewer.

Amazon | Adorama | B&H

Bushnell Trophy Camera Aggressor 24MP Low-Glow

With its responsive 0.2 second trigger time and 100 feet detection range, this durable trail camera has a field-tested design that is perfect for hunters and wildlife photographers alike. It includes black LEDs invisible to both animals and other humans while having a guaranteed battery life of up to a year.

The Bushnell Trophy Camera Aggressor features a 20-megapixel sensor that produces clear, crisp images with a video capture resolution of 720p.

Amazon | B&H

Other Trail Camera Options to Consider

Other than the options mentioned above, here are other models to consider when searching for the Best Trail Cameras.

1. Reconyx Hyperfire 2 – The Reconyx Hyperfire 2 is known for its high-quality images and videos, with a 16-megapixel camera and 1080p video resolution. It has a detection range of 150 feet and a fast trigger speed of 0.2 seconds. The battery life can last up to a year, and it has a storage capacity of 512GB.
2. Stealth Cam DS4K MAX – This trail camera offers 4K ultra-high-definition videos with a 32-megapixel camera. It has a detection range of 100 feet and a fast trigger speed of 0.4 seconds. The battery life can last up to 12 months, and it has a storage capacity of 32GB.
3. Moultrie M-50i – This trail camera offers high-quality images and videos with a 20-megapixel camera and 1080p video resolution. It has a detection range of 80 feet and a fast trigger speed of 0.3 seconds. The battery life can last up to 19,000 images, and it has a storage capacity of 32GB.

Conclusion

When choosing a trail camera, consider the image and video quality, detection range and speed, trigger speed, battery life, storage capacity, and durability.  All of the options above offer high-quality images and videos, fast detection and trigger speeds, and long battery life. Selecting the best trail camera can make a huge difference in your outdoor adventures or property monitoring, so choose wisely.

We all have our own ways of storing and sorting files, but the bottom line is we want to be sure our files are safe and secure for our clients. Because of this, we’ve created our list of the Best Memory Card Holders and Wallets for Photographers, updated annually. These lists are based on our personal experience as working photographers combined with extensive research from other reputable sources online.

If we missed anything, or if you have any recommendations on what we should consider for next year, please comment below!

Best Memory Card Holders & Wallets

Memory card cases, holders, and wallets all store your cards in a safe and efficient way, but many also come with additional features like labels, being waterproof, shock/impact proof, and dust proof! There are many options to choose from so we’re hoping this list helps make your choice a little easier.

Pelican 0915 Memory Card Case (Our Choice)

Our Winner for Best Memory Card Holder.

The Pelican 0915 Memory Card Case is one of the top sellers on B&H Photo & Amazon, and comes in on the top of many lists and personal recommendations among industry professionals, especially since it offers a shock and water resistant seal (IPX4 rating) to provide an extra level of protection for your precious cargo.

The case can hold 12 SD cards, 6 miniSD, and 6 microSD cards, meaning the only thing left out here would be the larger Compact Flash and QXD cards. At a price point averaging under $20 you can’t go wrong with the Pelican brand.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

• Amazon
• B&H

[REWIND: How To Recover A Corrupt or Damaged Memory Card]

Think Tank Pixel Pocket Rocket Series Card Carrier

Our 2nd Place Winner for Best Memory Card Case.

The Think Tank Card Wallets are available in a few different variations for different card types, (SD / CF), but our preference leans towards the CF version as it can still hold smaller card types like SD and micro versions, while also being capable to squeeze in the new QXD format cards in a pinch, giving you a little more flexibility in your shooting style.

I’ve had one of these wallets since I picked up my first Think Tank bag almost a decade ago and I still carry it with me on nearly every shoot. The fold up design with carabiner clip & lanyard combo makes it very easy to store and attach to your camera bag.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

• Amazon
• B&H

Lowepro GearUp Memory Card Wallet 20

Our 3rd Place Winner for Best Memory Card Case.

Lowepro’s GearUp Memory Card Wallet is the best version they’ve released, in my opinion. The interior is loaded with a variety of slots to hold SD, micro SD, CF,  CF Express, and  XQD cards, giving you an ultimate combo of shooting capabilities with a long life span.

The case has 12 larger slots for CF & XQD type cards, and 8 smaller slots for the SD and micro SD style cards. It has a fully zippered closure for easy access as well as a rear loop with clip to attach to your camera bag or accessories for extra security on the move.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

• Amazon
• B&H

[REWIND: Never Lose An Image With This File Backup And Cloud Storage Guide]

Additional Options

Ruggard Neoprene Protective Pouch

The Ruggard Neoprene Protective Pouch for Memory Cards is a small neoprene case that can hold and protect up to 6 memory cards, (large or small), in laminated mesh pockets. The rear pocket can even hold a spare battery for your camera.

The case can fit easily inside your camera bag, jacket pockets, and for someone wanting to take the extra step, the case has a belt loop to allow very easy transport on your camera bag/straps or even your own belt!

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

• Amazon
• B&H

Gepe All-in-One Card Safe Extreme

This card holder is for the more safety-minded photographer who’s ready and shooting in all of the elements. While the cases listed above are all great, if you’re an adventure photographer or happen to be traveling in some extreme weather and situations, you may want or need something more.

These little guys are extremely tough, waterproof (IPX7 Rating), crushproof, protect against static electricity, and even float in water! The case can hold 8 micro SD cards, 4 SD cards and 4 CF cards and comes in a variety of colors for your personal style. The only thing missing from this case is a lanyard or clip so you could attach it to your gear to make sure it doesn’t slip out anywhere along your journey.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

• Amazon
• B&H

Cecilia Gallery SD Memory Card Wallet

If you’re looking to add a little more style to your memory card holder, than the Cecilia Gallery SD Memory Card Wallet is the one for you. While just as functional as the other wallets listed above, the combination of charcoal canvas with leather fixtures adds just a subtle touch of flair.

Offered in 3 varieties of color for the exteriors, the interior is covered in a soft micro-fiber and is designed to hold 9 SD and 4 Micro SD cards. These wallets are slightly higher priced than the ones listed above, but at an average of $34 they are still within most of our budgets. Especially if this holder can sync up in design and style with our apparel and camera bags/straps!

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

• B&H

Pioneer 10 Compartment Memory Card Organizer

While it may just look like a flimsy piece of plastic, it can store up to 10 memory cards, and the real benefit of a system like this is the memo area that you can write date/contents in to keep track of what you’ve shot on a busy day. Plus, it still protects your memory cards from dust, static, and being bent, broken, or crushed.

The slim design makes it easy to slide into nearly any compartment of your camera case/bag and at a price of under $10, how could you go wrong?

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

• Amazon
• B&H

How to Choose The Best Memory Card Holder and Wallet

The thing to remember is you shouldn’t struggle to carry your memory cards, and you definitely shouldn’t have to worry about them while in transit. You owe it to yourself to invest in a good case that protects, organizes, secures your cards, and fits your personal style & brand. Head to your local camera store and pick a few up to see what feels right, and speak with your colleagues to see what cases they use and why. The work you do will be a major deciding factor in the case or wallet system you end up buying.

Summary

Here is a list of all the gear discussed in this article:

• Pelican 0915 Memory Card Case (Our Choice)
• Think Tank Pixel Pocket Rocket Series Card Carrier
• Lowepro GearUp Memory Card Wallet 20
• Ruggard Neoprene Protective Pouch
• Gepe All-in-One Card Safe Extreme
• Cecilia Gallery SD Memory Card Wallet
• Pioneer 10 Compartment Memory Card Organizer

What did we miss? Please give us feedback so that we can check out other bags and keep this list up-to-date.

To help you decide which tripod is right for you, we’ve created our list of the Best Tripods for Photographers, updated annually. These lists are based on our personal experience as working photographers combined with extensive research from other reputable sources online.

If you aren’t familiar with some of the terms, options, or components on a tripod we mention here, please check out the article The Tripod Explained. There’s a lot of great information compiled there that will make your understanding much more complete. If we missed anything, or if you have any recommendations on what we should consider for next year, please comment below!  Also, see the following article if you’re looking for the Best Tripods for iPhones and Smartphones.

Best Travel Tripods

One thing working photographers have to have in their kit is a great travel tripod for those random road trips and commercial gigs that require super light packing. The key to a great travel tripod is one that is light-weight, folds up into a neat compact package that hopefully can also fit easily in a carry-on bag, but still is tough and sturdy to make sure you get a stable shot.

Peak Design Travel Tripod

Our Winner for Best Travel Tripod.

After winning several awards for their bag designs, Peak Design decided to disrupt another product category with their new Travel Tripod. Having gotten hands on with this guy for several weeks, we can honestly say this is one of the best ‘Travel Tripods’ we had ever used. Available in Aluminum or Carbon Fiber, the system weighs only 3.44lbs or 2.81lbs respectively, supports 20lbs of gear, and is one of the smallest ‘collapsed’ tripods i’ve ever worked with. You can pack and cary this guy in nearly any sort of situation making it our favorite and winner for the best travel tripod on the market.

The only drawback we had with this unit was pretty consistent with all 4+ section tripods, and that is when fully extended, there’s a little bit of wobble that’s unavoidable. Outside of that the only other con we encountered was simply getting used to the new style of compact ball head, which wasn’t really a con, just personal adjustment after years of using the same hydrostatic style ball head tripods.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

B&H | Adorama | Peak Design

3 Legged Thing Brian With AirHed Neo Ball Head (Our Choice)

Our 2nd Place Winner for Best Travel Tripod.

The 3 Legged Thing Punks Brian with AirHed Neo is one of the best travel tripods you can possibly have! Boasting a minimum height of 7.5″ and a maximum of over 74″, you can pretty much achieve any shot with this lightweight and compact tripod. This guy is made from carbon fiber, allowing the frame to be a light 3 lbs and still support up to 30.9 lbs of gear! One leg even detaches so you can use it as a Monopod. I’ve personally owned this tripod and used it on all of my travel and timelapse shoots and would highly recommend it for anyone.

The only drawback I have seen with this unit is this; while I love this tripod, I am not a huge fan of the twist locking leg mechanisms and have had issues ensuring they are completely locked and secure when fully extended. This may be nitpicking, but it can be a frustration when you’re setting up and all ready for your shot only to have one of the legs slide down an inch and wobble on you.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Gitzo Series 1 Traveler Tripod with Center Ball Head

Our 3rd Place Winner for Best Travel Tripod.

The Gitzo Series 1 Traveler Tripod may be the shortest of the list coming in at a max height of only 52.4″ but it still is a serious contender. With a minimum height of 12″ it only weighs 2.8 lbs, making it the lightest of the bunch with the smallest footprint with a folded length of 14.4″. The entire design is based on maximizing its thin profile as well as making it look awesome with incredibly sturdy legs.

The drawbacks on this tripod were mentioned above. It’s one of the better looking, lighter, and sturdier devices on the list, but it’s also the smallest height and lowest weight capacity. That said, it’s still one of the best lightweight tripods available.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

MeFOTO RoadTrip

The MeFOTO Roadtrip is the smaller of the two MeFOTO tripods, and for smaller DSLR and mirrorless systems, it’s absolutely perfect (although it does support up to 17.6 lbs). There is a bit of a price difference between the aluminum and carbon fiber variant ($189 vs $329) and you’re only saving about half a pound in weight. You also don’t have nearly as many color choices with the carbon fiber models, so if you wanted to choose a great value tripod that comes in your favorite color, you would be best choosing the aluminum MeFOTO Roadtrip.

Aluminum – $189

• When folded it is 15.4″
• Extends up to 61.6″
• Supports up to 17.6 lbs.
• Weighs 3.6 lbs.
• Comes in 12 different colors

Carbon Fiber – $329

• When folded it is 15.4″
• Extends up to 61.6″
• Supports up to 17.6 lbs.
• Weighs 3.1 lbs.
• Comes in 2 different colors

Best “Tabletop” Tripods

These seem to have the most versatility out there, used by Vloggers, Influencers, Travel/Adventure Photographers and more. While they are by far the smallest, these best iPhone tripods seem to have some of the most creative uses in the industry. Especially since they can all be used for smaller DSLR’s as well.

JOBY GORILLAPOD 3K (Our Choice)

Our Winner for Best Tabletop Tripod.

The Joby Gorillapod is typically less than 1-foot tall and can hold about 6.5 lbs with the 3k model, (increased up to 15″ tall and 11 lbs with the 5k), and it can fit practically anywhere you can imagine. With its strong flexible legs, you can mount your DSLR on a pole, tree, table leg, street sign, or anything that can support the weight of your device, making it perfect for getting a stable shot in hard to access places.

The drawback here will be a lack of stability over long durations as the legs are flexible, so it’s possible that over time your camera will shift in position. Also if you’re using a rig that’s on the heavier side of the 6.5 lb max weight recommendation, the legs won’t hold their position for long and you’d be better off jumping to the more pricey and heavier duty 5k model

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Manfrotto Pixi Evo Mini Tripod

Our 2nd Place Winner for Best Tabletop Tripod.

Manfrotto is pretty much a household name in the tripod world, and they’re best known for their larger and full-size tripods. But the design team at Manfrotto has hit the mark nearly perfectly with the Pixi Evo Mini Tripod.

Designed for smaller cameras, smartphones, and smaller mirrorless cameras, the Pixi Evo can even hold up to 5.5 lb DSLR/Mirrorless combos while boasting an incredibly small footprint. Despite its small size, this device is built like a tank and can also be used as a handheld grip for recording video on your camera.

The drawback on this unit is the limited options for its legs. Basically, the legs are either opened wide or flat, which will hinder the number of places you can securely place it compared to the flexible Gorillapod.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Leica Tabletop Tripod

Our 3rd Place Winner for Best Tabletop Tripod.

Simple and Elegant, the Leica Tabletop Tripod has been around for years and hasn’t changed a bit in decades! It’s an elegant and nearly indestructible design with incredible stability since the legs simply do not move.
The footprint on this device is arguably larger than the other two because the legs don’t fold or clamp, but rather rotate together to create the super stable base once opened up; however, what it does offer is the ability to hold an impressive 15.4 lbs out of the box.

You can mount your camera directly to the base or pair with a Leica Ball Head to give yourself more creative control.

The drawback of this device is similar to the Manfrotto’s where it is an absolutely rigid design, meaning you’re left placing the tripod on a flat surface to use it, reducing the “creative” shots you can get. Also, as with all things Leica, the price jumps significantly when compared to the other brands.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Best Full-Sized Tripods

When nothing else matters but the quality of your image, you’ll make sure the tripod and every other accessory attached to your camera is as good as it can get! For this, we’ve got the top three full-sized professional tripods of the year for you to bring your work to the next level.

Really Right Stuff TVC-33 Versa Series 3 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with BH-55 Ball Head (Our Choice)

Our Winner for the Best Full-Sized Tripod

Affectionately referred to as the “Rolls Royce” of tripods, the Really Right Stuff TVC 33 Versa Series 3 Mk2 is a beautiful carbon fiber tripod with a diamond-pattern carbon veneer, twist locks, and rubber ball feet for a base. The ball head is solid and incredibly smooth to use which includes panning marks for panoramic work, multiple 90 degree cut outs for when you need to shoot vertically, and separate tension adjustments. Boasting a max weight capacity of 50lbs (wow), it reaches a max height of 62.3″ as well as a minimum height of 7.8″.

The only real drawback of this unit is the max height compared to some other studio/full-sized tripods, and then the price tag. But that’s how it goes when you’re seeking ultimate quality in your gear.

Check the prices from our preferred retailer below:

B&H | Amazon | Adorama

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 & Fluid Head

Our 2nd Place Winner for the Best Full-Sized Tripod.

When you’re looking for a larger, more advanced setup for your photo and video production needs, especially when you’re adding a heavier camera system, you’re going to love the Nitrotech 608 & Fluid Head Head. This is one of the best video tripods we’ve used on the market of it’s class, and this model I can personally vouch for as we’ve been using it in studio for several months now!  The 608’s fluid head features an innovative, continuously-adjustable counterbalance system, which allows you to dial in the perfect settings for your rig. The bigger footprint that comes with the video style helps stabilize your shot to reduce the chance of camera shake.

The drawback of this device is weight and portability. Coming in at 12.06lbs with the video head and a minimum folded length of 28.74″ it’s not exactly lightweight; however, it makes up for it in stability and function. There may also be a bit of a learning curve to get past coming from standard ball heads and normal tripods, but once you master it you’ll love it.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 with MHXPRO-BHQ2 Ball Head

Our 3rd Place Winner for the Best Full-Sized Tripod.

The Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber 4 Sections Tripod with Horizontal Column delivers maximum rigidity from the lightest components! I’ve personally used this tripod (3 times over) for the last 2 years and it goes with me nearly everywhere I go! Able to support 8.99KB (19.84lbs) of gear with a weight of only 2.1kg (4.63 lbs) it’s a very impressive beast! The ball head after 2 years of use still has no drift and drag whatsoever and the legs are incredibly sturdy with next to no “wobble” even when the legs are fully extended.

The only negative point we can say about this tripod is when you extend the center column fully, that’s when you will encounter a little amount of wobble, but honestly I’ve never used a tripod where that doesn’t happen if you have a fully extended center column. So it’s barely an inconvenience.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Best Tripod For Video

For all of our video production here at SLRLounge, we’re using Benro Tripods. They’re sturdy, reliable, and they come in the variation we need for the different sized cameras we use. In order of smallest to largest head sizes, we’re using the S2, S4, S6, and S8. All of the S models are fluid heads, and the S6 and S8 have fluid drag controls, making them all great tripods for video.

How to Choose A Tripod

As we mentioned in the beginning of this post, there are hundreds of options to choose from with new models coming out every year. So before you buy, do some homework to figure out which type and features are right for your needs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to picking a tripod (or any other accessory), so figuring out what you need out of your tripod will help you narrow down the best tripod for your shooting style.

Do You Need A Tripod?

The tripods sole purpose is to stabilize your camera. So depending on what you’re shooting, the tripod could be absolutely vital, or absolutely unnecessary. Some common uses are as follows:

• Taking a long exposure of a landscape or crowd
  • Shooting in low light
  • Trying to blur the motion of water, clouds, or people
  • Shooting a timelapse of a specific scene over a long period of time
• Ensuring your camera is in a specific spot so you can pay attention to other details in your photo
  • A portrait or headshot photographer like Peter Hurley might leave their camera on a tripod so that they can communicate with their subjects to help them get the desired look for the shot, triggering the camera remotely
• Videographers will use tripods to avoid “jittery” footage
  • Higher quality video tripods with fluid heads will allow motion with panning, tilts, and even slides while eliminating “shakes”

From there, figure out just how high quality you’ll want to go. Obviously, there will be many “entry” level tripods for each style for you to choose from, but the quality and durability will be questionable. As with most things, “you get what you pay for” when it comes to camera gear.

If you’re really unsure, I’d highly recommend going back and reading the article mentioned in the opening of this post, “The Tripod Explained,” which will really help you figure out what exactly your needs are, making your purchase that much easier.

Summary

Here is a list of all the gear discussed in this article:

• Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 with MXHPRO-BHQ2 Ball Head
• Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 with Fluid Head
• Really Right Stuff TVC-33 Versa Series 3 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with BH-55 Ball Head (Our Choice)
• Leica Tabletop Tripod
• Manfrotto Pixi Evo Mini Tripod
• Joby Gorillapod 3K (Our Choice)
• Gitzo Series 1 Traveler Tripod with Center Ball Head
• Peak Design Travel Tripod
• 3 Legged Thing Brian with AirHed Neo Ball Head (Our Choice)

What did we miss? Please give us feedback so that we can check out other bags and keep this list up-to-date.  For more “best of” lists, see our Best Of category.

Copy –  The simplest is the Copy step. You’ll want to copy the files from your camera’s memory card to your computer. I’m sure everyone here is familiar with this so I won’t go into any additional details here.

Clone – The second “C” is Cloning. No matter how much you’ve paid for your hard drives, it’s still just hardware and they _WILL_ someday fail. It’s always in your best interest to create a clone or copy of your data on an external drive and then if you can, clone a second copy of that drive to keep it in a safe place.

Cloud Storage – The last “C” is Cloud Storage and let’s face it, there are no shortage of options for you out there! This one is critical for your photography business since you never know if your local hard drives will fail and/or be damaged or stolen. Ensuring you also have a backup in the cloud will put your mind at ease.

To help sort out all of this, I’ve created a list of some of the best online photo storage options out there for you.

Storage Options With Online Galleries for Photographers

We’ve dedicated an entire article on the The Best Online Galleries for Photographers.  This article gives you a full detailed breakdown of services like Shootproof, Pixieset, Pixpa, SmugMug, Pic-Time and More.

Your online gallery of choice will be one of your best options when it comes to long term storage for your final JPEG photos.  However, these services also have many features that you may not need if you’re not a wedding or family photographer.  For example, you may not need print ordering, client galleries, website management, and the other services they offer if you’re just looking for a simple, affordable, and versatile way to store your photos.  If this sounds like you, then explore the options below!

Google Drive / Google Photos

Let’s kick this off with one of the most popular photo storage options, Google.  Google never stops adding to and enhancing their services for the better! The Google Photos Service allows you to have 15GB of free storage with images up to 16 megapixels and videos up to 1080p.  If you upgrade to the Google One plan, starting at just $1.99 per month, your storage space expands to 100GB and the file size limits are removed.

Amazon Photos

What doesn’t Amazon do? With their photo storage option for Amazon Prime members, you can store unlimited photos as well as order/create prints, cards, calendars and more, all delivered straight to your door! The Prime accounts cost just $59 per year for students, and $119 per year for normal accounts.

Adobe Creative Cloud / Adobe Portfolio

If you’re already subscribed to the Creative Cloud services for Lightroom or Photoshop, (Starting at just $9.99/month), then you already have access to a fantastic portfolio and storage service. With the Portfolio platform you can create a gallery of your best work and store up to 2GB worth of images.

Smugmug

SmugMug is one of the most trusted names out there in terms of photo storage options. They not only offer you an incredible amount of storage, but through Smugmug you can also create your own personalized website, portfolio, and ecommerce portal.

While there are no free plans with SmugMug, they are incredibly affordable running from $3.99 – $41.99 per month.

Flickr

Now owned and curated by SmugMug, you can be sure your photos will be safe and secure on flickr for as long as you need them! You can get an account for free, but that is limited to only 1,000 photos, and you’ll have to deal with ads around the site. With a $49.99 per year Pro Account, you get unlimited storage along, absolutely no ads, and much more!

Dropbox

Dropbox is one of my favorite photo storage options because of its absolutely easy to use system on nearly any device you can think of. It is pretty well known in our industry as well as countless others, and since you can start with a free account giving you 2GB of storage (expandable by sharing), it’s pretty useful for nearly any purpose.

You can upgrade to a Plus account for 1TB or storage for just $9.99 per month.

Canon Irista

You don’t need to be a canon shooter to take advantage of this fantastic service that the classic camera maker has created. Irista is easy to use and has a bunch of fantastic features. Free accounts allow you 15GB of storage, with paid plans ranging from $2.25/month for 100GB to $129.99/month for 10TB of storage!

Box

Very similar to Dropbox, box offers free accounts with 10GB of storage on a personal plan. You can upgrade that storage to 100GB  for just $5 per month or jump to a plethora of Business levels, allowing you to have unlimited storage at $15 per month & up depending on your needs.

500px

500px is not just a photo storage site, it’s also a social network and educational platform. It’s definitely targeted for more than just the casual snap-shooter, but they do have free accounts with plenty of options. The Paid “Pro” accounts start at just $4.99 a month and give you unlimited uploads as well as many other perks including a built-in stock image selling system.

Photobucket

Photobucket has been around forever! It allows you to upload and store your images, but it also has built-in editing tools, album creation, and much more. You can get a free account that gives you 2GB of storage; jumping to a paid account, which ranges from $59.99 to $399.99 per year, will give you up to 500GB of storage.

iCloud

iCloud from Apple offers users 5GB of space for free, with upgrades available starting with 10GB of storage for just $20 per year. This service is used as an extension of Apple Photos on your Mac or iPhones/iPads, but it’s also compatible with Windows OS!

Imgur

Imgur is a photo hosting/storage site that allows quick and easy uploads for free. You don’t even need to sign up to start taking advantage of the site. Images can be uploaded and shared rapidly through a bunch of social media links, all while maintaining your original image quality.

Registered users get 20GB of storage for free, but you’ll have to deal with advertising throughout the site.

Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft has their hand in the cloud-storage-for-photos game also! It has the same interface as Windows 10, so if you’re a PC user it should be second nature to use. OneDrive offers 5GB of storage for free, or you can upgrade to 50GB for $1.99 per month or 1TB of storage for just $6.99 per month.

Nikon Image Space

Canon isn’t the only camera maker who’s gotten into the photo storage options game! Image Space is loaded with features that let you enjoy your photos in new ways. Nikon offers 2GB of photo storage for Free with their basic plan, which is upgradable to 20GB of storage for Nikon camera owners with Nikon ID.

Backup Services

Additionally, if you don’t want a browsable image storage system, you can opt for a traditional, all-encompassing backup system for your files. Each of these cloud-based backup services are fantastic and provide the peace of mind you’ll love once that initial backup is done. Keep in mind though, it’ll take a WHILE if you’re like me and waited till you had nearly 6 years worth of images to backup before you jumped into the cloud systems.

Each of these systems have their pros and cons, but the bottom line is they are all great and choosing the “best” option will depend on your personal or business needs. Check each of them out and then make an informed decision.

• Backblaze – Starting at $5 a month
• Crashplan – Starting at $10 a month
• Carbonite – Starting at $6 a month

All these tools and services offer an incredibly affordable business write off, and they provide you, your family, and your clients the assurance of knowing that their images and memories are safe and always available!

[Related: The Best Backup Software of 2019 according to G2Crowd]

What are some Backup and Photo Storage services out there that you use? Have I missed some important ones? Let me know in the comments and tell us about your experiences.

Over those years of hunting, Ray’s managed to get some glass plate negatives that date as far back as the 1890s! Thanks to this constant search he now owns an amazing archive of original photos of Old New York, a set of beautiful black and white photos that are not available anywhere else.

Ray personally digitizes each photo and painstakingly retouches them, (Restoration style), pixel by pixel, giving us glorious glimpses of the New York City of yore. The basement of his Brooklyn home is filled with stunning prints of New York, not available anywhere else.

We had the chance to speak briefly with Ray and felt it was worth sharing his incredible work. Not just his images, but the work he’s put into restoring these otherwise lost and forgotten pieces of history!

What Gave You The Idea and Inspiration To Start This Project?

“I have been a professional photographer for over 30 years but for the last 10 focusing on my original camera negative archive that I accumulated over the last 25 years.  I starting collecting photographs when I was 10 years old (my first image was a shot of the Bowery Boys). Then switching to original camera negatives after becoming a photographer and stumbling upon many at the flea markets that used to spring up in the empty parking lots that used to litter 6th Avenue between 14 & 34th Streets in Manhattan.

The inspiration to do this happened once business slowed from photography turning digital. I was walking around my studio, which is filled with negatives, and realizing the photography market is saturated with modern travel, food, and portrait photography and many people are yearning to look at the past, a simpler time.”

[Related Reading: Meet Juho Leppenan of Camera Rescue in Finland & His Paradise of Vintage Camera Equipment]

Which Image Are You Most Proud Of And Why?  On Average, How Long Does Each Photo Take To Finish?

I am quite proud of quite a few images after working on them for 40+ hours. One of Frank Sinatra, some NYC trolleys c.1915, and one shot of a group of English maids from 1890.  It was a labor-intensive process to restore each of these.

[Related Reading: See Some of the Oldest Photographs in the History of Photography]

Have You Ever Tracked Down Any Of The Original Shooters?

No, I haven’t tried to track down the photographers although occasionally it is on the negative sleeve. I spend so much time retouching and identifying the actual locations of the NYC city scenes there isn’t much time left in the day.

Any Rough Estimate On The Total Number Of Negatives You’ve Acquired Over The Years?

I don’t have an actual number of the number of negatives in my collection but I’d say 10,000 plus or minus.

Where Did you Learn Your Restoration And Retouching Techniques?

NYU and SVA had many continuing education courses in Photoshop that I would attend to help me learn the program.

Every image has a story, how he found it, how he worked on it, what was captured, what that particular New York streetscape looks like now, and so much more. You can view more of Ray’s collection on his official website along with some additional restoration and personal projects he’s done over his career.

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