Files add up fast. Frames × file size gives storage per shoot, and multiplying by shoots and backup copies sizes your drives — before you run out mid-season.
The example
1,500 frames, 45 MB each.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | 1500 × 45 MB | 67,500 MB |
| 3 | In GB | → ~65.9 GB |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Multiply frames by average file size in MB for megabytes.
- Divide by 1024 for gigabytes (or 1024² for terabytes).
- Multiply by backup copies (3-2-1 rule → ~3×) for real drive needs.
- Scale by shoots per year to plan annual storage and archive cost.
Every shoot is really three shoots of storage. The 3-2-1 backup rule (three copies, two media types, one offsite) means a 66 GB wedding consumes ~200 GB across your working drive, local backup, and cloud. Sizing storage off a single copy is how photographers run out of space in October. Multiply per-shoot GB by copies and by shoots-per-year to budget drives honestly.
Try it: interactive demo
Frames, file size (MB), backup copies.
Variations
With backup copies
3-2-1 rule:
In terabytes
Big archives:
Annual storage
× shoots/year:
Pitfalls & errors
1024, not 1000. Use binary units (1 GB = 1024 MB) for drive math.
Count backups. Real need is per-shoot GB × copies.
RAW vs JPEG. Use the right average file size for your format.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate storage per shoot in Excel?
How do I account for backups?
How do I convert to terabytes?
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