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Find the best external drives for photos and videos.

Find the best external hard drives and SSDs for creative professionals who demand speed, reliability, and ample storage. Whether you’re editing high-resolution video, managing large design files, or backing up important projects, these top-rated drives deliver the performance and durability you need. With options that offer lightning-fast transfer speeds, rugged builds for on-the-go use, and generous storage capacities, you’ll be equipped to handle even the most demanding creative workflows with ease and confidence.

External hard drives and SSDs for creative professionals.

Key features of photo and video hard drives and SSDs.

Explore the essential features of external hard drives and SSDs for photo and video—lightning-fast transfer speeds, ample storage, rugged durability, and broad compatibility—built to streamline every stage of your creative workflow.

White graphic on black background states 1 to 48+ terabytes, referencing external drive capacity.
High storage capacity drives.
Store massive RAW photo libraries and ultra-high-resolution video footage with ease. External drive capacities from 1TB to 48TB+ ensure creatives can archive, access, and manage large projects without constantly deleting or transferring files.
A white icon consisting of a stopwatch with a speedometer at the center represents speedy data transfers.
Fast data transfer speeds.
Speed up your workflow with blazing-fast data transfers. External SSDs and Thunderbolt-enabled hard drives allow for seamless playback, real-time editing, and quick backups, saving time during demanding production and post-production tasks.
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Durable and rugged.
Fieldwork demands tough gear. Rugged external hard drives and SSDs resist drops, dust, moisture, and shock, making them ideal for photographers and videographers who shoot in unpredictable or extreme outdoor environments.
Two white arrows follow each other in a rectangular loop to signify travel and go-anywhere portability of external drives.
Portability and compact design.
Slim, lightweight external drives easily slip into bags or pockets, allowing creative professionals to carry terabytes of media wherever they go. Perfect for location shoots, travel assignments, and mobile editing setups.
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Professional grade performance.
Built to keep up with high-bandwidth applications, some external drives support real-time 4K/8K video editing, high-resolution image rendering, and rapid file access—promoting smooth performance under creative pressure.
Circular arrow icon over rectangular portable drive icons represent the data backup process.
Backup and data protection.
Many external hard drives and SSDs include automatic backup software, RAID support, and hardware encryption to keep your data secure. Protect against accidental deletion, hardware failure, or theft without slowing down your workflow.
Desktop computer screen icon represents the compatibility of external drives with Windows and Mac operating systems.
Broad compatibility.
Photo and video hard drives and SSDs are compatible with macOS® and Windows®. They are optimized for software like Adobe® Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Lightroom. Whether you’re using USB-C, USB 3.2, or Thunderbolt 4, these drives connect with ease.
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Comprehensive warranty and support.
Enjoy peace of mind with your external hard drive or SSD purchase. Our external drives come with robust warranties and complimentary Rescue Data Recovery Services.

External drives built for creative professionals.

Creative professionals worldwide trust Seagate and LaCie for high-performance storage built to meet the demands of modern content creation. With over a decade of innovation, LaCie drives are used by top photographers, filmmakers, and studios for their speed, reliability, and durability—making them a trusted choice in the creative industry.

Choosing the right external drives for photos and videos.

Not all external drives for photos and videos are built the same—and choosing the right one can elevate your creative process. Whether you’re editing 8K footage, storing RAW photo libraries, or backing up large projects on the go, Seagate and LaCie offer tailored external storage solutions for every stage of your workflow—from ultra-portable SSDs to high-capacity RAID systems.

Speed, storage, and security explained.

When working with massive media files, speed and reliability matter. Seagate and LaCie external hard drives and SSDs feature fast USB-C, Thunderbolt, and NVMe technology for seamless data transfer. With options ranging from 500GB to 48TB—plus built-in backup and encryption tools—your data stays safe, accessible, and workflow-ready wherever creativity takes you.

Rugged and portable hard drives and SSDs.

LaCie rugged portable drives are built for life on the move—shock, dust, and water-resistant, and tough enough for field shoots and travel. Lightweight yet powerful, these external drives let creatives safely capture and store work in real time, no matter the environment. Perfect for fast file dumps and mobile editing under pressure.

Studio powerhouses: desktop and RAID systems.

For demanding studio workflows, LaCie desktop and RAID drives deliver massive capacity and fast performance. Designed for heavy post-production work, options like the d2, 1big Dock, and 2big RAID provide scalable, secure storage with advanced connectivity—ideal for managing, editing, and archiving your most complex creative projects.

External hard drives and SSDs for videos and photos FAQs.

It depends on your workflow. Solid-state drives (SSDs) offer faster data transfer speeds, making them ideal for real-time editing, quick backups, and working with high-resolution files. They’re also more portable. External hard drives provide more storage at a lower cost, great for archiving large libraries or long-term storage. Many professionals use both—SSDs for active work; hard drives for backup.

Setting up your Seagate external hard drive or SSD is quick and easy. Just connect the drive to your computer using the included USB or Thunderbolt cable. Your device should recognize it automatically. For optimal performance, you may want to reformat the drive to match your operating system (exFAT for cross-platform, NTFS for Windows, or APFS for macOS). You can also install Seagate Toolkit software for backups and management.

Yes, most Seagate external hard drives and SSDs are compatible with both Mac and Windows. Many come preformatted in exFAT, which works with both systems. If your drive is formatted specifically for one OS (like NTFS for Windows or APFS for Mac), you can reformat it to suit your needs. Seagate also offers software tools to help with formatting, file transfers, and cross-platform use.

Seagate and LaCie drives are built for the speed, capacity, and reliability creative professionals need. Fast external SSDs enable smooth real-time editing of high-res video, while high-capacity external hard drives let you store and back up massive media libraries. Rugged models support on-the-go shoots, and desktop RAID systems streamline complex workflows—letting you focus more on creating and less on managing files.

Absolutely. Seagate and LaCie external drives are designed to handle high-resolution video, including 4K, 6K, and 8K footage. With fast SSD options, Thunderbolt and USB-C connectivity, and high-capacity models up to 48TB or more, they support smooth playback, real-time editing, and fast file transfers—making them ideal for professional video production and post-processing workflows.

Key factors include speed, capacity, reliability, and connectivity. Choose an SSD or a high-RPM hard disk drive for faster data access. Look for USB-C or Thunderbolt interfaces for maximum transfer speeds. Consider at least 1TB for HD projects and much more for 4K/8K. Durability, RAID options, and compatibility with your editing software are also important for smooth, secure workflows.

For large video projects, especially in 4K or 8K, a minimum of 1TB is recommended—but 2TB to 8TB is more practical for active editing. If you’re working with multiple projects or high bit-rate footage, 10TB or more may be necessary. Always allow extra space for cache files, backups, and exports. A mix of fast SSDs for active editing and high-capacity hard drives for storage is ideal for efficient workflows.

It depends on your needs. An external SSD is ideal for photographers who need fast data transfer speeds, especially when editing large, high-resolution images. However, if you need to store a large number of photos and prioritize cost-effectiveness, a traditional hard drive offers more storage for a lower price. Many professionals use both—SSDs for active editing and hard drives for archival storage.

Yes, especially models like the LaCie Rugged series, which are built specifically for travel and fieldwork. These drives feature shock, dust, and water resistance, making them ideal for harsh environments. Whether you’re shooting on location or traveling between gigs, Seagate and LaCie drives offer the durability and reliability creative professionals need on the move.

Yes, external hard drives—especially those designed for creative professionals—can absolutely support professional editing workflows. High-speed models with USB-C or Thunderbolt offer fast data access for HD and 4K editing. For even better performance, RAID systems or SSDs are ideal for handling large files and real-time editing. Choose a drive with enough speed, capacity, and reliability for your specific project needs.

A 1TB to 2TB external drive is typically ideal for a graphic design student. This provides enough space for large design files, software assets, class projects, and backups without worrying about running out of room. If you work with high-res images, video, or 3D design, consider 4TB or more. An SSD is great for speed, but a hard drive offers more space at a lower cost for long-term storage.