If you’ve ever unintentionally deleted something significant — whether it’s a document, a video, or, in my case, cherished vacation photos — you’ll understand the gut-wrenching feeling that follows. It once happened to me after my vacation of a lifetime to Italy. I was deleting files from my SD card to make space, and somehow, in the process, I erased every single photo taken in Rome, Florence, and Venice. My heart sank.
Luckily, this story doesn’t end in tears. I was able to recover almost all my deleted travel pictures.
If you’re in the same boat and wondering if all hope is lost, here’s a human-tested, step-by-step guide on how I recovered my memories — and how you can do the same.
How To Recover Travel Photos
The Moment I Knew I Screwed Up
It occurred while transferring photos in the normal course. I was transferring pictures from the SD card of my camera to my laptop and, in the process of being efficient, deleted the folder immediately after the transfer. A minute later, I realized that the “Italy Trip” folder on my desktop was totally blank. I had unknowingly pressed “Cut” rather than”Copy” before deleting the originals from the SD card.
No backup. No cloud syncing. Just a single bare folder and a stomach punch of fear.
Step 1: Don’t Panic (And Definitely Don’t Write More Data)
When you delete files, they’re not gone right away. Instead, your system stamps the space as “free” and holds out for new data to overwrite it. That’s why the first rule is to quit using the device — your SD card, external drive, or internal hard disk. The more you use it, the more likely you’ll overwrite what’s remaining of your deleted files.
I removed the SD card at once and didn’t handle it again until I was prepared to try recovery.
Step 2: Researching Recovery Options
I initially thought about taking it to a professional data recovery firm. But the prices were tough. Some of these firms cost hundreds of dollars, and there’s no promise of success.
That prompted me to look into DIY data recovery software. I read about a number of hopefuls, but two names seemed to keep recurring: Recuva and Disk Drill.
If you’re wondering how they compare, I suggest looking at this review: Recuva vs Disk Drill. This review helped me determine which program to use based on my device, the nature of the files I lost, and my budget.
Step 3: Selecting a Tool and Initiate the Scan
After some consideration, I decided to attempt using Disk Drill first. Its interface was simple and novice-friendly, which was important to me as a data recovery novice. In addition, it accepted RAW image types, which my DSLR utilized.
I downloaded and installed the program on another drive (this is key!) so as not to overwrite any possible data on the SD card. I then plugged the SD card into a reader and initiated the deep scan.
Disk Drill presented me with a lengthy list of recoverable files, including a number of folders of .CR2 images — the Canon RAW format. It was a positive sign. I viewed a few images and saw thumbnails of my photos from the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. Relief flooded over me.
Step 4: Restoring the Files
Once the scan was done, I checked all the photos I wanted to restore. Disk Drill enabled me to restore them to a new folder on my desktop. I took a deep breath and clicked “Recover.”
In a matter of minutes, my Italian vacation appeared on my computer screen again. Not all my photos were restored — some were corrupted or had been partially overwritten — but I was able to salvage around85% of photos from my trip, which seemed like a miracle.
What Worked
Source
Not using the SD card after deletion was crucial.
- Scanning with multiple tools
If one tool doesn’t work, try another. They use different recovery algorithms.
Recovering to a different location
Never restore files to the same drive or card you’re recovering from.
Deep scans can take a while, especially for large drives. Let the tool do its job.
What didn’t assist
- Cleaning out the Recycle Bin ahead of time
Always double-check before deleting it permanently.
- Assuming deleted files were lost forever
Oh, wait, most deleted files are still recoverable if you act quickly.
Get inspired:
Can You Recover Deleted Travel Photos?
Yes — but your chances depend on how fast you act and the recovery method you use. Whether you use Recuva, Disk Drill, or some other quality recovery software, you can usually recover files that appear to be gone forever.
It’s not an automatic result, particularly if the data has been overwritten, but your chances are better than you might expect if you take the right actions early.
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