Client Resources Guide
Welcome, welcome!
This guide is your resource for all the steps of working together. This is always here if you need it so feel free to bookmark this page. It’s available 24/7.
If you need more assistance than what you see here, please reach out to me so I can help. We’re in this together!
Quick Access Links
CATALOG + ANCHOR IMAGE
Requirements
LIGHTROOM CATALOG REQUIREMENTS
Below are the requirements for each catalog submitted to me for editing. If these requirements are not met, it will delay turnaround times until they are resolved. Please contact me if you run into any issues meeting these requirements.
- Must have the most up-to-date version of Lightroom Classic unless I communicate otherwise.
- If there are multiple cameras, they need to be time synced.
- Catalog needs to be sorted by Capture Time.
- Provide required anchor images.
- Exported catalog needs to be Smart Previews, not RAW file catalog.
ANCHOR IMAGE REQUIREMENTS
In order to provide you with a consistent catalog that matches your editing style, below are the requirements for anchor images. I will not edit a catalog that doesn’t meet these requirements.
- Around 10% of each catalog needs to be color anchor images.
- Color-label your anchor images with the same color.
- Anchor images must be provided for each camera lens.
- Provide anchor images throughout the catalog when the background/lighting situation changes.
- If you provide black & white anchor images you must also provide a color anchor image for each section a black & white anchor is in.
The Process from Start to Finish
Here is an overview of the outsourcing process and the steps you'll take to send me your photo editing. This process will become easier and easier as we go, I promise! More detailed instructions below this section.
Step 1
Build Smart Previews
Build Smart Previews of your catalog if you haven't already done so. This is very important!
Step 2
Edit Your Anchors
Edit your anchor images for each background/lighting situation for each camera lens per the requirements.
Step 3
Export Your Catalog
Export your Smart Previews catalog and compress the file into a .zip file.
Step 4
Submit + Upload Catalog
Submit your editing project info in the Client Dashboard and upload your catalog via my WeTransfer page.
INITIAL LIGHTROOM CLASSIC
Set Up + Organization
KEEP LIGHTROOM UPDATED AUTOMATICALLY
IMPORTANT: Before getting started, please make sure you are up-to-date with the latest version of Lightroom Classic. Tap the play button above to watch the video or read the instructions below.
To make it super-easy to keep your Lightroom updated, go to Creative Cloud and click on your profile image in the upper-right corner of the screen. Click on Preferences.
Click on Apps in the left panel. This should show the Auto-update screen. Make sure the toggle is switched to "on" for Lightroom Classic. (The toggle will be blue instead of gray when it's turned on.) Click Done.
Note: I will NOT edit catalogs that are submitted from old versions of Lightroom Classic. Sometimes Lightroom will warn me that a catalog is from an older version and sometimes it doesn't. It's up to you to be sure your Lightroom stays up-to-date to avoid any compatibility issues.
TIME SYNCING MULTIPLE CAMERAS
Time syncing multiple cameras is important so that your catalogs will be more consistent. When reviewing your catalog before final delivery, having the various cameras time synced helps so I can spot any inconsistencies and correct them.
If you were not able to time sync cameras on the day of the wedding, below is a video on how you can sync them up in Lightroom before you send me your catalog.
▶ HOW TO TIME SYNC CAMERAS IN LIGHTROOM
Note: If you don't time sync your cameras before sending me your catalog, please be aware that the returned catalog may not be consistent.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR
Anchor Images
MARKING YOUR ANCHOR IMAGES
Marking your anchor images with a color label is important so I know which ones they are. This videos shows you how to mark your anchor images or you can follow the instructions below.
To mark your anchor images:
1. Right-click on the edited image.
2. Click on Set Color Label.
3. Choose a color from the list.
You should see a border around the image in the preview strip and in the library grid that is the color you chose.
Pro tip:
Below are the keyboard shortcuts for color labels.
Press "6" for red.
Press "7" for yellow.
Press "8" for green.
Press "9" for blue.
PROVIDE ANCHOR IMAGES FOR EACH LENS
Providing anchor images for each lens in each lighting scenario/change of scene is required. This will help to ensure you have a consistent catalog.
The video above shows you how to be sure you have anchor images for each lens.
Summary of steps:
1. From the Library, go to your Library Filter and click on Metadata.
2. All cameras and lenses used in the catalog will be listed. Clic on each camera and then each lens.
3. Check that you have anchor images for each lens and scene/lighting situation. Create anchor images if needed.
4. Remember to color-label your anchor images!
Pro tip:
Click the "D" key from the Library to jump to the Develop module.
Click the "G" key from the Develop module to jump back to the Library with your current filter in place.
PREPARE, EXPORT AND SEND
Your Catalog
STEP 1: BUILD SMART PREVIEWS
You will be preparing a catalog to be edited that includes BOTH anchor images AND the unedited images that are being outsourced as Smart Previews, not RAW files.
REQUIRED STEP: See the video above for step-by-step instructions on how to build Lightroom Smart Previews.
Summary of steps:
1. Select all the images that need Smart Previews (including all anchor images)
2. Click Library in the tool bar.
3. Go down to Previews
4. Click Build Smart Previews.
5. Wait for Lightroom to build the Smart Previews. You'll see a status bar in the upper left corner of your screen.
Remember: Smart Previews are vital to this process (again, we aren't exchanging actual RAW files - just the smart preview data).
STEP 2: EXPORT YOUR PHOTOS AS A CATALOG
Summary of steps:
1. Select all of the photos to be exported, including both anchors (your pre-edits) AND un-edited images.
2. VERY IMPORTANT: double check that Smart Previews are built. See previous step/video on how to build Smart Previews. If you aren't sure, check the Histogram in the Develop module — at the bottom right under the ISO indicator, it will say "Original + Smart Preview" if they have been built. If it still says "Original Photo" then you don't have Smart Previews built.
3. While the photos are still selected, go to File > “Export as Catalog”
4. Locate the folder in which you wish to export the files, then name the file. I recommend identifying the catalog that needs to be edited with "_To Edit" to help keep the files organized. (i.e. SmithWedding_To Edit)
5. Choose the following settings when exporting:
-CHECK “Export Selected Photos Only”
-UNCHECK “Export negative files”
-CHECK “Build/Include Smart Previews”
-UNCHECK “Include available previews”
6. Then select “Export Catalog”
STEP 3: COMPRESS + UPLOAD
Summary of steps:
1. Check that you have three files:
-One .lrcat file (the Lightroom Catalog file)
-One .lrcat-data file (the Lightroom Catalog data file)
-One .lrdata file (the Smart Previews data file)
2. Compress the folder with the three files into a .zip file
3. Rename to wedding name if necessary.
4. Go to the Client Dashboard to upload your catalog. You will be taken to WeTransfer once you submit your editing project to the editing queue on the Client Dashboard.
Add Culling to Your Editing Services
I recommend we get your editing down pat for 2-3 catalogs so I can see what types of images you typically pick/keep in a catalog. If you don’t want to wait, that’s okay too! We can dive right in to culling first thing if that is what you’d prefer.
CULLING DETAILS:
- Additional 2-3 business day turnaround
- Invoiced per image viewed minus anchor images
- Picks/keepers flagged in Lightroom
Step 1
BUILD SMART PREVIEWS
Build smart previews for the entire catalog to be culled. (This might take some extra time.)
Step 2
EDIT YOUR ANCHOR IMAGES + EXPORT
Go ahead and edit your anchor images for the catalog. Be sure to color label them.
Export the catalog as usual.
Step 3
CULL RANGE + YOUR PREFERENCES
When you send over your catalog for your editing appointment, please mention that you want me to cull your catalog, what range to cull it to with your culling preferences.
Step 4
INVOICING
I’ll send you an initial invoice for the culling portion due upon receipt.
Once culled, I’ll send you the updated invoice for the color correction portion due.
Add Lightroom Retouching
Signature Color Correction addresses many minor details, however, should you have a more complicated/labor-intensive editing tasks for your catalog, consider adding the Lightroom Retouching service when you submit your editing request. Feel free to ask if you have questions!
DETAILS:
- Additional 2-3 business day turnaround
- Invoiced per ¼ hour (15 minutes)
- Lightroom only
Step 1
REQUEST WITH CATALOG
When you submit your catalog, let me know what kind of work you are requesting and where in the catalog the images are.
Step 2
REVIEW + CONFIRM
I will review the catalog to access the work requested and confirm that I can do it in Lightroom.
Step 3
INVOICING
Instead of sending the invoice right away, I'll wait to invoice after all editing is completed to track the time spent and keep everything on one invoice.
HOW TO IMPORT YOUR
Edited Catalog Into Lightroom
IMPORT YOUR EDITED CATALOG
STEP 1: DOWNLOAD .ZIP FILE
Download the Final Edit .zip file from the email you received as soon as you can. Unzip the file.
STEP 2: OPEN YOUR ORIGINAL LIGHTROOM CATALOG
Open Lightroom Classic CC (Be sure to open the same catalog that you originally exported the catalog from)
Go to File > "Import From Another Catalog" > Select the .lrcat final edit file > Choose
STEP 3: IMPORT SETTINGS
-UNCHECK "Preserve old settings as a virtual copy" if you see the option to.
-Select the dropdown option: Add new photos to catalog without moving
-Select Import
STEP 4: REVIEW EDITED CATALOG
To view the imported catalog (edited images):
Go to Library > Select "Previous Import" OR locate where you had organized these photos in a Collection with your corresponding Catalog.
What to do if you are unsatisfied with the edited catalog:
There is a bit of a learning curve for both of us as we begin working together. This is why I have the systems and processes in place to help me provide you with consistent and cohesive catalogs back to you. I will rely on your feedback and communication if there are things you need me to handle differently. Usually it only takes a few catalogs to get on the same page.
I do understand that editing is very subjective so if you continue to see issues after the first few catalogs we do together, try working through the questions below. And please feel free to contact me about your concerns. I'm always here to help.
Is the catalog consistent?
When you look at your edited catalog as a whole (top to bottom in capture time), are the edits consistent? As in, no glaring differences in temperature/color/exposure?
If it is individual edits you are concerned with because you don’t see a lot of edits done in the image history, please give me feedback/direction on the specifics you are looking for prior to editing. My goal is to get you the most consistent catalog possible, not provide extensive edits on each individual photo in the catalog.
Are you providing enough anchors?
Have you been providing anchors on each camera lens used throughout the catalog? Are there anchors for sections of images where there are different lighting/backgrounds? Are your anchor images consistent when it comes to color/temperature/exposure? Is the shooting consistent and clean or are there constant setting changes from image to image?
Let's talk it through.
Please feel free to email me with your concerns. I welcome your feedback and if I don’t know the specifics of what you need, I won’t know to make those changes in future catalogs. I’m ready and willing to work with you so you can get the best results possible.
And if we need to get on a video call together, we can do that too. Sometimes it’s easier to communicate that way rather than in email. Click the button below to schedule a 1:1 video chat with me.
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