Abstract: The present invention transfers an image file to an archive memory for storage and automatically creates and stores a backup image file in response to transferring the image file. A method of image file backup stores the backup image file separate from the transferred image file. A digital camera includes a transfer driver that provides automatic image file backup in conjunction with uploading of an image file from the camera to an archive memory. A digital photographic system includes a digital camera, a computer having an archive memory, a communications interface connecting the digital camera and computer during an upload of an image file, and a transfer driver that automatically creates and stores a backup image file of the image file in conjunction with the image file upload.