photo editing, tutorials
My Post Photoshoot Workflow! Organise Files, Editing & Photo Backups!
Welcome to my blog where I will be sharing insights into my post photoshoot workflow! As a photographer, the real work begins after the photoshoot when hours are spent organizing files, editing, and ensuring photo backups are in place. Join me as I walk you through the step-by-step process I follow to streamline my workflow and maximize efficiency. From creating a well-structured file system to selecting the best editing software, I’ll be sharing tips and tricks that will help you streamline your own post-shoot process. Additionally, I’ll discuss the importance of backing up your precious images to avoid any potential loss. So, let’s dive in and discover how to turn your chaotic photo collection into a neatly organized masterpiece!
My Post Photoshoot Workflow: Organize Files, Editing & Photo Backups
Hey everyone, in today’s video, I’m going to be sharing with you my post photoshoot workflow. I’ll take you through what I do when I get back from a photoshoot, including how I download my images, how I back them up, how I edit them, and how I share them with my team. Let’s get into it!
Downloading and Backing Up Images
When I get home from a photoshoot, I download the images that very day. I find it best to do this immediately to avoid any accidental loss or damage to the memory cards. My Canon 5d Mark 3 has dual card slots, one CF and one SD. The photos are recorded to the CF card and then automatically copied over to the SD card while I’m shooting. This means I already have two copies of the photos during the shoot.
Once I’m home, I remove the SD card from the camera and plug it into my computer to download the photos. After plugging in the SD card, I open the folder and drag the entire folder of photos to my hard drive. I like to rename that folder to “01.deselects”. Then, I create three new folders within it: “selects”, “Lightroom”, and “export”.
In terms of hard drives, I prefer using external ones for everything to ensure file safety. My main hard drive is an SSD, where I store all my work that needs editing. Fresh photoshoots go directly onto the SSD, and that’s where I edit the photos. I also have a backup hard drive, which is a normal hard drive with greater capacity, where I copy the entire photoshoot folder from the SD card. This way, I have two copies of the photoshoot.
I name my main folders with the date in reverse (e.g., “18.01.22” for January 22nd), followed by a dash and the type of shoot (e.g., “fashion”, “wedding”, “travel”), and another dash with the name of the client. This naming convention makes it easy to find specific images in my archives.
Editing Process
To streamline the editing process, I use a program called Photo Mechanic. It allows me to quickly select the photos I want to edit. Photo Mechanic doesn’t require a long importing process like Lightroom. Alternatively, you can use Adobe Bridge, which comes with Photoshop for free, as a similar option. In Photo Mechanic, I give a one-star rating to each image I want to edit. Once I’ve rated all the images, I move them to the “selects” folder.
Next, I open Lightroom and create a fresh catalog for that specific photoshoot. This approach makes Lightroom run faster and more efficiently compared to importing all photoshoots into one catalog. After importing the images into Lightroom, I apply my preferred Lightroom preset to achieve the desired style. I make sure to adjust white balance, exposure, and overall lighting for each image. Once done, I export the edited photos as high-resolution JPEGs.
File Management and Sharing
I use Adobe Bridge as a file management program to easily keep track of all the photos I need to edit. After editing and retouching in Photoshop, I save the images. To share the finished files with my client or team, I use Dropbox. In Dropbox, I create a new folder with my name and the client’s name, making it easier for them to find the photos. It’s crucial to include your name or business name in the folder’s name to distinguish it from other folders in their Dropbox.
That’s my post photoshoot workflow! It helps me stay organized, ensures backups, and simplifies the editing and sharing process. Feel free to use these tips and adapt them to your own workflow. If you want more guidance on editing or using Lightroom presets, check out my YouTube channel for tutorials. Happy shooting!
My Post Photoshoot Workflow FAQ
1. How do I organize my files after a photoshoot?
After a photoshoot, I follow a systematic approach to ensure my files are well-organized:
- Create a new folder with the shoot date and name as the folder name.
- Within this main folder, create subfolders for raw images, edited images, and any additional categories required.
- Label each file with a descriptive name or code to easily identify them.
2. What software do you use for editing photos?
I primarily use Adobe Lightroom for editing my photos. It offers a wide range of tools for adjusting exposure, colors, and other aspects of the image. Additionally, it allows me to organize and categorize my edited photos efficiently.
3. How do I make backups of my photos?
Backing up photos is crucial to prevent data loss. Here’s how I ensure I have backups:
- Regularly create copies of my entire photoshoot folder to an external hard drive or cloud storage.
- Use a dedicated backup software to schedule automatic backups.
- Consider utilizing online backup services to further secure my photos.
4. Can I re-edit my photos after initial edits?
Absolutely! When editing photos, I always save the edited versions separately. This way, I can revisit the original files and make any additional adjustments or start fresh if needed. Storing both the edited and raw versions allows for more flexibility during the editing process.
5. How do I manage large amounts of images efficiently?
When dealing with large volumes of images, I rely on certain practices to streamline my workflow:
- Quickly cull and rate images to choose the best shots using software like Adobe Lightroom.
- Utilize keywords and tags to classify and search for specific images easily.
- Create collections or albums to group related photos together.
Remember that developing your own Post Photoshoot Workflow to suit your style is crucial for efficient and organized edits, backups, and file management.
I hope you find useful my article My Post Photoshoot Workflow! Organise Files, Editing & Photo Backups!, I also recommend you to read my other posts in my blog at this link.
If you need help with anything join the community or do not hesitate to contact me.
Best of luck! and follow your passion.
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