RAW+JPEG: 20 to 60 GB typical
3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 media, 1 offsite
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What This Calculator Does
This storage cost calculator helps photographers and videographers estimate their annual cloud and local storage costs based on shooting volume, file types, backup strategy, and retention period. It compares 2026 pricing across seven major cloud providers (Google One, iCloud+, Dropbox, Backblaze B2, Amazon S3, IDrive, Sync.com) and three NAS/local storage options. The calculator factors in the 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies, 2 different media types, 1 offsite) and accounts for different file type sizes from JPEG-only through RAW+Video workflows.
The Formula
Monthly data generation is calculated by multiplying shoots per month by average gigabytes per shoot, adjusted by a file type multiplier (JPEG-only uses 30% of the baseline, RAW+Video uses 300%). Annual storage is projected over the retention period and multiplied by the number of backup copies. This total storage requirement is then priced against each cloud provider per-TB monthly rate and annualized, with NAS costs calculated by amortizing hardware plus drive costs over the expected hardware lifespan.
Step-by-Step Example
Enter shooting volume
Set 8 shoots per month at 30 GB per shoot with RAW+JPEG files. Monthly data: 240 GB.
Configure backup strategy
Set 2 backup copies and 5-year retention. Total storage: 240 GB x 12 x 5 x 2 = 28.8 TB (28,800 GB).
Review cloud costs
IDrive (5TB plan): $46.08/year. Dropbox Plus: $144.00/year. Google One: $288.00/year. Amazon S3: $662.40/year.
Compare NAS options
4-Bay NAS: $1,320 upfront, $264/year annualized. External HDDs: $1,008 upfront, $336/year annualized over 3 years.
Real-World Use Cases
Freelance Photographer Planning Annual Storage Budget
Estimate yearly storage costs to include in your business expenses and ensure your session pricing covers data management overhead.
Studio Transitioning from Local to Cloud Storage
Compare the annual cost of cloud-only storage versus a hybrid NAS+cloud approach to find the most cost-effective backup strategy.
Videographer Scaling Up Production Volume
Project how storage costs will grow as you take on more video projects, especially when working with 4K and 6K RAW video files that generate 300%+ more data than photo-only workflows.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not following the 3-2-1 backup rule. Keeping files on a single drive or cloud service leaves you vulnerable to data loss. The 3-2-1 rule recommends 3 total copies, on 2 different media types, with 1 copy stored offsite.
Underestimating storage needs for video work. A single day of 4K RAW video can generate 200 to 500 GB. RAW+Video workflows use 3x more storage than RAW+JPEG photography alone.
Choosing cloud storage based only on price without considering download and egress fees. Amazon S3 and some providers charge $0.05 to $0.09 per GB to download your own files, which adds up quickly when retrieving large projects.
Not budgeting for NAS drive replacement. Hard drives have an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years. Budget for replacing 20% of your drives each year to maintain reliability.
Keeping all files indefinitely without a retention policy. Define how long you keep full-resolution RAW files versus delivery-quality JPEGs to manage storage costs over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accuracy and Disclaimer
This calculator provides cost estimates based on 2026 published pricing from cloud storage providers and current NAS hardware costs. Actual costs vary by plan tier, promotional pricing, data transfer fees, and regional availability. Verify current pricing with each provider before making purchasing decisions.
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