Photography Education

12 Ways to Speed Up Your Editing in Lightroom

March 18, 2024

Andrea Cable Brand Photos
I’m Manali
Integrator, business coach and wedding editor based out of Covington KY. Most often found cuddled with my cat Keegan or sipping a cappuccino or wine, dependin' on the hour! 
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Ready to take your editing skills to the next level? Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, optimizing your workflow is key to maximizing efficiency and delivering stunning results. As a private editor specializing in wedding photography, I’ve compiled my top 12 tips for editing in Lightroom to supercharge your editing process and make this year your most productive yet. Let’s dive right in to this week’s video!

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1. Optimize Your Catalog for Speed

Start by giving your Lightroom catalog a well-deserved spa day. Optimizing it is like giving your editing software a shot of espresso – simply click on “Help” and type in “optimized catalog” to get started.

2. Close Unused Apps

Don’t let unnecessary apps slow down your editing groove. Before you start, close down Chrome and Safari to ensure a seamless Lightroom experience.

3. Edit Natively Like a Pro

Treat your hard drive like the VIP section of your editing club. Make a copy of your catalog on your desktop, build smart previews, and watch as your editing speed reaches new heights.

4. Standard Size Previews – Your Editing Wingman

Build standard size previews to flip through your images at lightning speed. Say goodbye to waiting and hello to a smoother editing experience.

5. Boost Performance

Give your Lightroom a performance boost by tweaking preferences and purging that cache. Your editing software will thank you with faster, more responsive edits.

6. Start from the Bottom – Editing Strategy

Begin editing from the bottom of your catalog to uncover hidden gems and create a suspenseful build-up to your masterpiece shots.

7. Organize with Collections

Channel your inner event planner and organize your images into collections. From “Getting Ready” to “Reception Candids,” keep your Lightroom playground neat and tidy.

8. Edit Your Anchor Images First

Focus on editing your standout shots first to set the tone for the rest of your edits. Give them the superstar treatment they deserve.

9. Master Lightroom Shortcuts

Navigate Lightroom like a pro with handy shortcuts – G for Library, R for Cropping, P for Flags. Discover a whole new level of efficiency.

10. Contour Shuttle Pro – Your Editing Jedi Tool

Elevate your editing game with the Contour Shuttle Pro. It’s like having a mini keyboard on steroids, making Lightroom dance to your editing symphony.

11. AI Magic – Imogen AI to the Rescue

Step into the future with Imogen AI. Let it learn your style and witness the magic unfold as it streamlines your editing process.

12. High-Speed Editing Rollercoaster

Ready to turn your editing into a high-speed adventure? These tips will transform Lightroom into your playground, and your photos will thank you with a standing ovation.

Dreaming of handing off some of your editing during busy season?

Be sure to learn about how you can get some help with your Lightroom editing queue HERE! I’d love to help tackle your catalogs so you have more time for what you love most!

New episodes come out every Monday on Youtube! If you love the videos, be sure to leave a comment with your favorite tip from the video and share the show with a friend in the industry!

Cheers to showing up imperfectly & making an impact!

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT QUICKLY GROWING YOUR BUSINESS? WATCH THE FREE MASTERCLASS!

If you’re wondering what the inside of a successful & streamlined photography business looks like, the masterclass is for you! Tune in to this free masterclass to learn how I grew from $600 to $5k weddings and went full-time in less than 1 year without sacrificing my time!

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