You've finished a professional photo shoot. Hundreds of images in RAW format—unprocessed, uncompressed, perfect. Every pixel of data from your camera's sensor is preserved. The files are huge. A single RAW image from a modern professional camera is 40-100MB. A hundred-image shoot is 4-10GB.
You need to get these images to your retoucher or editor. They need to work with the full RAW data to bring out the best quality. You can't compress these. You can't reduce quality. You need every byte of data.
But uploading 10GB to cloud storage takes an hour. Your editor waits another hour to download. And somewhere in that process, you're both holding onto huge amounts of data.
For professional photographers, RAW file sharing has been a constant workflow bottleneck. Until now.
Understanding RAW Image Files
RAW files are fundamentally different from JPEGs or PNGs. They contain minimally processed data directly from your camera's sensor. This means:
- Full sensor data – Every pixel the camera captured
- Metadata – EXIF data, camera settings, white balance information
- No compression – Unlike JPEGs, no quality loss during capture
- Larger file sizes – Typically 40-150MB per image
- Professional edit capability – Editors can adjust exposure, color, and detail without degradation
RAW formats vary by camera manufacturer: Canon (CR2), Nikon (NEF), Sony (ARW), Fujifilm (RAF), etc. But they all share one characteristic: they're large because they contain complete sensor data.
Why RAW Files Are Difficult to Share
| Method | Per-Image Size Limit | For 100 RAW Images | Time to Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25MB | Can't send (4-10GB total) | N/A | |
| Google Drive | 15GB shared | Fits, but quota limited | 45-60 min upload, 45-60 min download |
| Dropbox | 2GB free | Doesn't fit | N/A |
| WeTransfer | 2GB | Doesn't fit | N/A |
| Catbox/S3 | Unlimited | Fits, but costs money | Variable, 30-120 min |
| ZapFile | Unlimited | Fits perfectly | 10-30 min (direct speed) |
Core Challenges for Professional Photographers
Metadata Preservation
Cloud services might strip or alter EXIF data (camera settings, lens info, timestamps). Your editor loses valuable information about how the shots were taken. Direct transfer preserves everything exactly as-is.
File Integrity for Editing
RAW files are edited non-destructively. The editor creates a sidecar file with adjustments, leaving the original RAW untouched. If the RAW file gets corrupted during transfer, the whole workflow breaks.
Batch Transfer Workflow
You don't send individual RAW images. You send batches—often hundreds of files at once. Cloud services make batch transfers slow and painful.
Storage Quota Conflicts
If you use Google Drive, uploading a 10GB RAW photo shoot consumes your entire free quota. Your collaborators face the same problem on their end.
The Solution: Direct RAW Image Transfer
ZapFile is built for exactly this workflow. Direct peer-to-peer transfer at your connection's full speed, preserving every byte of data.
How It Works
- Select your RAW files or folder – Whether it's a single image or 500 RAW files, select them all at once
- Generate a room code – A unique 4-digit code appears instantly
- Share the code – Text, email, or message your editor the code
- Editor enters the code – They open ZapFile and join your transfer room
- Transfer starts immediately – Progress visible in real-time
- Perfect copies arrive – Every RAW file, every metadata byte, exactly preserved
Share RAW Images Instantly
No compression, no quality loss, no metadata corruption. Professional-grade file transfer.
Try ZapFile Now →Why This Works Better for RAW Photos
Unlimited Size
A 100-image RAW shoot? 10GB? 50GB? No problem. ZapFile has no file size limits because files aren't stored, they're transferred.
Metadata Integrity
All EXIF data, XMP sidecar files, and embedded metadata transfer perfectly. Your editor gets the exact same files you created.
Batch Transfer Efficiency
Transfer hundreds of RAW files in one operation. Direct transfer is much faster than cloud upload/download cycles.
No Compression or Re-encoding
RAW files transfer as-is. No re-processing, no quality loss, no hidden optimization attempts.
Speed for Professional Workflow
Photographers work fast. A shoot finishes at 6 PM, and the editor needs files by 8 AM. Direct transfer means you're not waiting for upload/download cycles.
No Storage Quota Issues
Files transfer directly without occupying cloud storage. Your Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud quotas remain untouched.
Real Professional Photography Workflows
Wedding Photography
"I shoot 1000+ RAW images per wedding—about 50GB. Uploading and downloading used to take 4+ hours. With ZapFile, my editor has files within an hour of the shoot ending. Game changer." - Wedding Photographer
Commercial Product Photography
"We shoot in studio and send RAW files to retouchers worldwide. Time zones matter. Having instant file transfer means retouchers can start work immediately, without waiting for cloud uploads." - Commercial Photographer
News and Documentary
"In news, speed matters. RAW files are huge, and we often have multiple photographers sharing files with editors. Direct transfer cuts coordination time dramatically." - Documentary Photographer
Fashion and Beauty
"Shoot at 6 AM, client wants to see images by 9 AM. RAW file transfer to retouchers, quick edit, and client delivery—all possible with ZapFile." - Fashion Photographer
Managing Large RAW File Transfers
Batch vs. Individual Transfer
You can transfer all RAW files in one session or create multiple room codes for different photo series. Batch transfers are more efficient, but splitting by shoot or event is also an option.
Including Metadata Files
If you have XMP sidecar files, presets, or LUT files, transfer them together with the RAW files. Everything preserves perfectly.
Multiple Recipient Transfers
If you need to send the same RAW shoot to multiple editors or clients, create separate room codes for each. Each transfer is instant and unlimited.
Step-by-Step: Sharing RAW Images with ZapFile
- Open zapfile.ai – Visit the website
- Click "Select Files" – Choose your RAW images (select multiple with Ctrl+click or Cmd+click)
- Copy your room code – It appears instantly
- Share the code – Send to your editor/retoucher
- They enter the code – On their device, in their browser
- Transfer begins immediately – Both see real-time progress
- RAW files appear in their downloads – Ready to import into Lightroom, Capture One, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions About RAW Image Transfer
Will my RAW metadata be preserved?
Yes, completely. All EXIF data, embedded metadata, and file properties transfer perfectly. Your editor receives the exact same files.
Can I send RAW files with different formats (CR2, NEF, ARW)?
Yes. ZapFile handles any file format. Mix Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm—it all transfers together.
What about XMP sidecar files?
Include them in your transfer. They transfer alongside the RAW files, maintaining your editing workflow.
Is the transfer encrypted?
Yes. The transfer is encrypted end-to-end. Your RAW files go directly from your device to the recipient's, never stored on servers.
Can I transfer RAW files and JPEGs together?
Yes. Batch transfers can include any file types—RAW, JPEG, DNG, TIF, presets, everything together.
How long does the transfer stay active?
As long as both devices are connected. The transfer can take minutes or hours, depending on file size and connection speed. Both parties must stay online during transfer.
RAW vs. JPEG: Why You Can't Compromise on RAW
You might ask: why not just export JPEGs for sharing? Here's why that doesn't work:
- No editing flexibility – JPEGs are compressed and finalized. Editors can't make the adjustments possible with RAW
- Quality loss – JPEG compression loses data. RAW preserves everything
- Metadata loss – JPEG files strip some camera metadata
- Re-shooting cost – If JPEG is inadequate for editing, you must re-shoot. Can't happen.
For professional work, RAW transfer is non-negotiable. JPEGs are for distribution, not editing.
The Professional Photographer's Workflow Solution
Professional photographers need professional tools. Cloud storage treats file sharing as a secondary feature. ZapFile is built specifically for this use case: massive, complex, metadata-rich files that need to move fast.
Your RAW files are the foundation of your business. They deserve proper handling, not compromises.
The Bottom Line
Transferring RAW images through cloud storage is inefficient and risky. You're uploading gigabytes to distant servers, waiting for processing, and hoping nothing goes wrong.
Direct peer-to-peer transfer is the natural solution. Your RAW files transfer at full speed, preserving every byte of data and every bit of metadata.
Next time you finish a shoot and need to share RAW images, try ZapFile. Experience instant, unlimited RAW file transfer that respects your professional needs.
Because your photography deserves better than cloud storage workarounds.