Lightroom Workflow Made Easy – In 5 Easy Steps

Are your photos important to you?

Do you love taking pictures? If so, I imagine those photos are priceless to you and/or your clients. Yes? Yes!

Then, creating a Data Management Workflow (back-up plan) is the most important step for any photographer. If you skip this, you risk losing ALL your photos. Here’s why…

There are 2 types of hard drives and/or
computers ~ Those that have failed and
those that have not (yet).

It’s going to happen. YOUR hard drive will fail at some point in your lifetime..

Your hard drive is made up of moving parts. These parts have a limited life cycle (just like any equipment with moving parts; camera’s, video camera’s, etc..). When they wear out… BOOM! Your hard drive fails. When it does, say bye-bye to all your photos.

If that’s not scary enough, hard drive failure is not the only way you could lose all your photos. Here are some more ways you could lose those precious files; Data corruption, someone steals your laptop/desktop, fire, earthquake, hurricane, and much more.

Oh and what about human error? Ever accidentally delete a file you shouldn’t have?

The key to keeping your images forever is having at least 3 copies of every photo; 1 copy on-site, another copy off-site and yet another copy in the Cloud.

It doesn’t matter if photography is a hobby or if you’re a pro. Your images are priceless. Back them up!

No worries. Although it sounds complicated it’s very easy. I promise. You’ll learn exactly what you need to do to create your fail-proof backup system… step-by-step.

Are you ready to dig-in and get started on your new Lightroom workflow?

With your files safely backed-up you’re now ready to build the foundation of your Lightroom workflow.

If you’re like me, the first time you fired up Lightroom you wanted to know 2 things; a. how to get your photos into Lightroom and b. how to start editing.

Which brings us to one of the most mis-understood things about Lightroom; the Catalog. It’s almost as mysterious as the Bermuda Triangle…

Why do I have to “import”?

Great question. You’ll find out why.

How many Catalogs do I need? 1 catalog, 3 catalog, 4?

It all depends on your personal needs. You’ll learn how many is right for you.

Actually, what is a Catalog?

Hint: It’s a database. You learn more about this and why it’s important for your sanity.

Why does Lightroom say my photos are missing (or my folder)?

Oh, boy… this can be sooo frustrating! If their missing, then you will not be able to work on your images. You’ll learn where they are and how to avoid this from happening again.

What do I do if Lightroom says my Catalog is corrupt?

Well, I warned you in Step 1 (it could happen to you – Google it). If you skipped Step 1 then pray that Lightroom can fix it. If un-fixable, revert back to Step 1 and do nothing else until you finish.

Now that you’ve mastered the Lightroom Catalog it’s time to for the most exciting part of setting up your workflow…

Preferences & Catalog settings!!

Just kidding.

This is just plain boring. I know, I’d rather be editing and being creative too. However, get this setup now and you’ll be well on your way to a faster workflow. It won’t take long. Pinky-swear.

When you finish this section, you’ll know exactly which options you should select for your workflow.

One more thing you must do before you EVER work in Lightroom again…

Color Management.

I know, another hot & sexy topic!

But, get it wrong and you’re going to waste a lot of time AND money. How much is your time worth to you?

You’ll learn my recommended monitor and tools for managing color…. step-by-step.

Oh, and one last thing…

…learn additional pro tips used in my workflow. Like; how to save 1 hour for every 8 hours worked!

The fun begins. Getting organized is key to your sanity!

Life is short. Time is money. Time flies. So, work smarter…

How do you want to spend your time? In front of a computer doing things the hard way? I doubt it.

You have two options…

Option 1: Do things as you are now and spend countless, unnecessary time in front of your computer

Option 2: Implement the strategies provided in Step 3 and have more time for everything else.

Imagine over 100,000 photos in your Lightroom Catalog and you need to find just 1 specific photo. How long is it going to take you? 15 minutes? More? What if you could find it within SECONDS? You can, once you’ve begun implementing your Library Module Workflow.

That’s just part of what will happen when you complete your Library Module Workflow.

You’ll also learn how I rank my images on the first page of Google (proof is in the pudding – Parker Photographic). Then, you can do the same. Which means more traffic to your website! 

At this point, you probably already know how to import? Either way, you’ll learn exactly which options you should be using during the import process. Knowing the secrets will help increase your productivity.

If that wasn’t enough, you’ll learn 4 Lightroom presets that will streamline your workflow… directly within the Library Module!

You’ll even learn how to edit in the Library Module, create a Watched folder to auto import your files, utilize Collections and much more!

Let the creativity begin!

O.k., this is the moment you’ve been waiting for, for a lifetime… How to edit faster in Lightroom! You’ll learn the exact Lightroom workflow I use to edit 500 photos per hour.

It’s time to get your life back and do the things you love to do… like shoot more, spend more time with family or however you’d like to spend all the extra time you’ll have from creating your own Lightroom editing workflow.

Grab a cup of coffee and sit-back. There’s a lot to learn in Step 4. Here we go…

First, you’ll learn 3 possible Lightroom Workflow formulas. Each is designed based on your particular needs…

Formula 1; Designed for experienced Lightroom users and/or pro photographers. This is the exact system that I’ve used for my photography studio.

Formula 2; This workflow is perfect for new photographers and users of Lightroom.

Formula 3; Perfect for those that already have an editing style. Use this formula to streamline your workflow.

 

3 unique workflows to choose from.
Choose one for your workflow and then customize for YOU!

Your editing should start with “pre-processing” and you’ll learn about the 2 types of edits that ALL of your photos should receive during this stage. Plus, you’ll learn how to auto apply them during import!

Have you ever noticed that your images look different, on the back of your camera, vs. what you see in Lightroom? It could be due to not having a Color Management system in place.. which you’ll learn about in Step 4. Hint: the Camera Calibration panel is part of it and you’ll learn all about how to use it properly.

Did you know that all lenses add a certain level of distortion to your photos? You’ll learn how to fix it with one click.

Crooked doorways, leaning buildings, etc.. got you down? No worries. You’ll learn how to quickly adjust perspective issues.

Not sure about you… but, my tripod doesn’t always make the trip. Which results in crooked landscapes. You’ll learn the exact tool I use to auto straighten with 2 clicks.

Now that you’re pre-processing workflow is complete it’s time to start editing!

But, where do you begin? Sooo many panels to choose from. So, you start fixing the easy stuff; exposure, WB, maybe add a little clarity, boost the saturation… then, you fiddle with this slider and that one, and bounce around from panel to panel… before you know it, 15 minutes has gone by. Worse yet, you do not like the edit.

Sigh…

There’s a better, smarter, faster way…

And you’ll learn exactly which panel you should start with and why.

Not sure what all the panels will do? No worries. You’ll learn exactly what they are for and how to use them to fulfill your creative vision.

Once upon-a-time Photoshop was THE tool for re-touching your photos. NOT anymore! You’ll learn about the tools I use to re-touch directly in Lightroom. Like; re-moving objects, fixing blemishes and much more.

Plus, this same tool will allow you to precisely place your edits exactly where you want them. Love the WB balance in your photo… but, the skin tones of your subjects are un-natural looking? I’ll show you exactly how to adjust your WB (or any other type of edit; clarity, contrast, saturation, and much more) for natural looking skin.

Learn about the one secret panel that I use on every photo and hardly anyone else uses. Using this secret panel will allow you to edit faster and NOT over edit.

If you’ve been around Lightroom long enough, you’re probably aware of the number 1 used tool in Lightroom; Develop Presets. Throughout this e-book, you’ll learn about many more types of presets. But, you’re going to discover that Develop presets have a dirty little secret… learn the truth.

You’ll find out when and when not to use these types of presets, how to get the most out of them and much more.

Oh, I’m going to give you 40 FREE Lightroom presets too. All of which can be used to streamline your workflow.

Whew, that’s a lot of learning.

Once you complete Step 4, you’ll have a fast and productive workflow for editing your photos faster than you thought possible.

Which now brings us to the final step of your Lightroom workflow…

Time to share your photos with the world!

You’ll have to get your
photos out of Lightroom
to share them.

You’ve imported, tagged and edited your photos. Now it’s time to share them with the world! Which requires getting your photos out of Lightroom.

Welcome to the Exporting Workflow. Before exporting your files, you’ll need to tell Lightroom a few things about your final destination first.

Whether you’re exporting for Facebook, Instagram, in-home printer, pro lab, etc.., they all require different settings for best results. You’ll learn how to create export presets to help streamline this part of your workflow.