3 ways to simplify your editing workflow
At the start of my business, I was in survival mode. I didn't stop to think of ways I could simplify the process to make it as efficient as possible.
SO, most of what I was doing took twice as long, simply because I didn't take the time to analyze my workflow.
We're creatives, and to most of us, the business side of things does not come naturally. Am I right or am I right?!
I suggest writing down your editing workflow step by step. Once you're done writing it down, look for areas you could simplify, shorten, and organize the process - like creating a file management system that makes sense.
Here are 3 ways I cut my editing time in half.
1. Create a NEW Lightroom Catalog for every. SINGLE. SESSION.
Why?
- I used to have one Lightroom catalog for everything. I honestly didn't even know it was possible to create a new catalog (oh, the things you learn over the years ha!). When there were thousands of photos in my catalog, I got the rainbow wheel of death far too often.
Who has the time and patience to sit and wait around on that?
I would occasionally delete photos from the LR catalog when it got too bogged down. When I deleted those photos from the catalog, I didn't have a space where those edits could be easily adjusted.
A client once came back and asked me for editing adjustments on multiple photos and I had to start from scratch. Because I was using a new preset, I had to try to make the editing look similar to what I'd originally done.
^ it's also just nice to have if you ever want to go back and adjust for your portfolio in the future.
To summarize, it was a headache! And one that could've been avoided by simply creating a new catalog for each session.
Here's a way to organize your files:
2018
> Wedding
> June
> Sam + Tyler
Originals
Catalog
Finals (all 3 folders are within the Sam + Tyler folder)
2. Cull Backwards (using Photo Mechanic!)
You don't move on until you feel confident that you got a good one, do you? If you cull backwards, you'll skip through a lot of "trial" photos. More often than not, the best one is at the end of the batch.
It's also WAY more exciting to look through portraits and detail shots when culling a wedding. If you start with the tough ones first (reception, ceremony, family), you'll have something to look forward to when culling gets boring.
Trust me, it will get boring. ;)
Game changer: Photo Mechanic. I can cull a wedding in about 1/4 of the time it takes to cull in Lightroom. I believe it’s only a one time charge of $150 (just a ballpark guess!). WORTH IT.
3. Batch edit
At the start of editing a wedding, I put all of the photos into a category such as bridal party, getting ready, family formals, etc.
Each of these sections of the wedding day most likely had the same lighting situation. SO, I can edit one of the photos and copy and paste the edit to all of the other photos in the batch. I'll go through and only have to do minor tweaks to them.
If you have more questions on this, search youtube for some videos on batch editing.
The categorizing alone is a game changer. It’s a mental game where if I can sit down and do 2 categories, it won’t be as overwhelming as editing a whole wedding.
I'll be walking through my entire editing workflow at The Connect Workshop (and other workflows!). It's taken me years of trial and error to figure out a system that works best for me. I'd love for you to be there!
What are some ways you've simplified your editing workflow? Comment below! I'd love to hear from ya!!
xoxo,
Ali Leigh
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