Can't figure out where my original photos are being stored.

Your iPhoto Library is in your Pictures Folder. It is not designed for user access via the Finder.

If you want to simply back up the original files then you do it via the iPhoto Window:

Select the images you want to back up.

File -> Export, set the Kind to Original and choose you destination.

For help accessing your photos in iPhoto see this user tip:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4491

This User Tip

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921

has details of the options in the Export dialogue.

Alec S. wrote:

Sorry if I'm not understanding your post but when you say, "select all in iPhoto", do you mean right-click a picture from the iPhoto application? That's the only way I can access my pictures bc I can't find any other folder with my original picture files in them. Is there an iPhoto folder that should be on my hard drive?

Launch iPhoto and click on events and select all (exactly the same as with any Mac program - Command a) and export as posted

To backup your originals select all in iPhoto and export the originals (file menu ==> export) -- the subfolder format can be set to make folders matching your event names

LN

You are looking in the correct place, once you right click on the iPhoto Library and select Show Package Content you should see an Originals Folder subdivided by year. The originals are inside the subfolders.

No - that will not give you your originals, it gives you a lower quality preview with limited metadata

To backup your originals select all in iPhoto and export the originals (file menu ==> export) -- the subfolder format can be set to make folders matching your event names

LN