What is the best method to save my RAW files along with my edits/metadata so they can be reimported back into Lightroom later, if needed? Do not under any circumstance remove the original photos from the catalog. Understand that the original photos that you imported into the catalog do not actually reside as part of the catalog, in the catalog they only exist as a record in that database. Some members do not understand this. Understand that the exported photos also do not actually exist in the catalog other than a record in the database Remember that the original photos are kept wherever you decided upon import Remember the export are kept wherever you choose at export Do not ever ever completely delete your original photos, they are your masters As for exports, they can be easily re-exported, not happy with them, sure delete. If you want to relocate your original photos, then accomplish that within LrC in the Library module within the Folders panel It sound like you want to cut down on the size of the catalog, some things to remember The catalog is a database, it contains records of the actions taken. Records include photo location, library mods, develop mods, etc. The increase in space used by that catalog increases a bit with each mid, but not by much, and the number of photos is not a big concern the Library previews folder does get directly effected by the number of photos. Some delete the previews to make space, but much of that will be recreated/used upon LrC restart. Ref: https://mastering-lightroom.com/lightroom-space-part-1/ https://mastering-lightroom.com/lightroom-space-part-2/ You mention that you want to archive the original photos. In one location. This brings up points about backups that I suspect you are not doing. Backups should never ever be on the same hard drive as the original work. That hard drive dies, both original and backups die. More than one backup should exist, and different media should be used for them.Typically a 3-2-1 data protection strategy that recommends having three copies of your data, stored on two different types of media, with one copy kept off-site. For example an external hard drive, a different external hard drive you remove and hide away, and perhaps a NAS or the cloud. Ref: https://www.veeam.com/blog/321-backup-rule.html#:~:text=strategy%20with%20it.-,What%20is%20the%203%2D2%2D1%20Rule%3F,one%20copy%20kept%20off%2Dsite. https://www.seagate.com/blog/what-is-a-3-2-1-backup-strategy/
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