Managing file organisation can be a daunting task after a day of shooting. If you start slipping with folder names and importing, Lightroom can get confused, leading to hours spent trying to locate your files. Here’s a system to keep your workflow smooth and your files in order.
When you get back from a shoot, start by handling your SD cards properly. I use multiple SD cards, so when one is full, I swap it out and insert an empty one. If I don’t have time to offload the files immediately, I store the full card in my card holder and set a reminder to deal with it later.
This way, I always have an empty card ready for the next shoot.
For faster read and write speeds, I use a Samsung T7 2TB SSD. This drive makes transferring and editing files much quicker, improving overall efficiency.
By using a high-speed SSD, you reduce waiting times and streamline your workflow.
In Lightroom, start by setting up your folder structure. Create a folder on your SSD named ‘Lightroom’ and organise it by ‘Year,’ ‘Month,’ and ‘Date.’ After each shoot, create a new folder for that day’s photos and place them in the appropriate location.
This consistent organisation helps keep everything easy to find and manage.
To import your photos into Lightroom, go to the Grid module, click the ‘+’ button next to Folders, and select ‘Add Folder.’ Locate the folder on your SSD that you set up in the previous step and tap ‘Import.’ You should see all your folders and photos appear in Lightroom, displayed in the left panel according to your organised structure.
When you return from a shoot, place the new files into the designated folders on your SSD.
In Lightroom, go back to the Grid module, right-click the LightRoom folder, and select ‘Synchronise Folder.’ Lightroom will scan the folder for new files and update accordingly.
This keeps everything organised without the mess of manually dragging and dropping files.
Remember if you make any adjustments within the folder. All you need to do is "synchronise folder" and Lightroom will update your files.
Collections in Lightroom are useful for organising your photos beyond the folder structure. Note that collections are part of your catalog and don’t move files locally. I use collections for themes, places, and even for Instagram.
For instance, I create collections for specific themes or locations to make it easier to find photos. I also have an Instagram collection where I put images I plan to share.
Collections help you stay organised and find photos quickly without disrupting your folder structure.
You can create collections for various purposes, making it easier to manage your work.
Keeping your files organised from the start saves you from future headaches. By managing your SD cards, using a fast SSD, and following a consistent folder structure in Lightroom, you can streamline your workflow.
Adding collections for additional organisation ensures that you can quickly access and manage your photos. With these steps, offloading and managing your photos becomes a seamless part of your process.
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