Happy World Backup Day!

Spring has officially arrived—the cherry blossoms are showing off, and the trees are just about ready to trade in their winter sticks for fresh layers of green. There’s something about this season that always gives me a little boost—a nudge to refresh routines and take better care of the things that matter.

March 31st is World Backup Day—a little holiday (okay, maybe not Hallmark official) to remind us how important it is to protect the digital pieces of our lives. And that includes all those photo files we’ve poured our time, energy, and creativity into over the years.

It’s the perfect excuse to finally tackle the backup plan you’ve been meaning to set up—or double-check that your current one is actually doing its job.

So, I channeled that spring energy into creating a clear, practical guide to backing up your images. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to protect your photo library, this one's for you.

Wishing you well-organized folders and redundant drives,

THE LIGHTROOM COMPASS
​Navigating a better post-processing & photo organizing experience

Photographers pour hours into their work—from scouting and composing to editing and exporting. But if your backup strategy is an afterthought, you're only one hardware failure away from heartbreak. In honor of World Backup Day, I’m sharing the guide I wish I had when my image files started multiplying exponentially—clear, practical, and easy-to-follow advice.

Not sure what size hard drive to buy for your photo library? This guide walks you through how to calculate your current and future storage needs—so you can stop guessing and start shopping for your next hard drive with confidence.

NATURALIST'S NOTEBOOK
​Scientific insights to deepen your connection to the natural world

Nature has its own version of a backup system—seeds. Some wildflowers and native plants produce seeds that can lie dormant underground for years, waiting for the perfect trigger: a fire, a flood, or even a sudden cold snap. It’s nature’s quiet insurance policy—one that lets entire landscapes rebound with color and life when the timing is just right.

Photographically, this means some of the most incredible blooms—like fire-following wildflowers in the West or ghost pipe emerging after a rainy stretch—don’t follow a reliable calendar. They rely on chance, climate, and timing.

If you're hoping to photograph a rare bloom or unexpected flush of life, research species in your area that rely on environmental triggers. Keep notes, track local conditions, and stay connected with naturalist communities. Sometimes the best images come not from chasing the forecast, but from watching the patterns of nature’s long memory.

Take the Great White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)—a spring woodland favorite in the Appalachian region. It can take 7 to 10 years for a trillium to bloom from seed, making each flower a quiet triumph of patience and persistence. Look for them in rich, undisturbed deciduous forests, especially in moist, shaded areas with well-drained soil. Their elegant white petals usually appear between mid-April and early May, depending on elevation and temperature. If you want to photograph them at peak, keep an eye on soil warmth and be ready to return to the same spot year after year.

But here’s the catch—trampling or picking a blooming trillium can prevent it from returning at all. Since the plant only produces one stem and one set of leaves each year, damaging that growth removes its ability to photosynthesize and store energy. That one step off the trail could erase a decade of growth. If you're lucky enough to find one, admire it carefully, photograph it gently, and leave it just as you found it—for the next hiker, the next bloom, and the forest itself.

FOCUS POINTS
​To utter, repeat, and shape our mindset

"What you save is what you have."

— Cicero

TRAIL FINDS
​Curated resources, news, and inspiration for your journey

1.) A new backup for the traveling landscape photographer is about to hit the market. Meet PocketCloud: the first portable NAS with a one-two punch. Launching on Kickstarter on March 31st.

2.) In "Cultivating Meaning and Authenticity in Your Photography", TJ Thorne explores how introspection, personal discovery, and artistic expression can deepen your creative connection and make your photography more meaningful.

3.) In "A Beautiful Nightmare", Brent Clark recounts a wild six-night desert backpacking trip with Eric Bennett—complete with frozen shoes, tamarisk tunnels, and unforgettable Type 2 fun. You can also view his full gallery of images from the adventure.

4.) In "Northeast Greenland National Park: Photographing Earth’s Last Untouched Frontier", Talor Stone and Virgil Reglioni reveal the raw beauty of one of the world’s most remote wildernesses.

5.) Since my judo days, I’ve carried a deep appreciation for Japanese principles—and in "Finding Harmony: Applying Zen Aesthetic Principles To Nature Photography", Michele Sons beautifully weaves together timeless concepts like wabi-sabi, yūgen, and shibui to inspire a more poetic, mindful approach to photographing the natural world.

6.) Peak Design’s Roller Pro Carry-On is now on Kickstarter—an ultra-slim, smooth-rolling carry-on bag designed for photographers and travelers. Up to 29% off through April 17. Looking to compare, check out the Shimoda Carry-on Roller V2 (this is what I currently use).

7.) In "Reflections on Eight Years of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen,” Matt Payne revisits his podcast journey, sharing lessons from over 400 episodes and the surprising impact it's had on his photography and personal growth.

8.) Albert Dros shares 10 Tips for Flower Photography in his latest video, packed with helpful techniques for capturing spring blooms. If you prefer reading, you can also check out his 2023 article covering similar insights.

9.) William Neill has begun sharing New Antarctica Photographs from his recent journey—browse his evolving portfolio and let him know which images stand out to you.

10.) In Episode 217 of Great Big Photography World, Fiona McLean shares how she transformed burnout into purpose—blending photography, guiding, and empowering women in the outdoors.

11.) Journey with Albert Dros & Benjamin Jaworskyj as they photograph the Isle of Skye in Scotland armed with their cameras and Haukland Photography Jackets.

nature photography • photo education • lightroom training

Copyright © Chrissy Donadi Photography, All Rights Reserved.
​606 Liberty Avenue, 3rd Floor, #107, Pittsburgh, PA 15222​
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