6 Tips for Importing Photos into Lightroom

Monday 1 December 2025, 20:02 by Nando Harmsen | 3,710 views | 19 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Importing into Lightroom is often taken for granted. You make sure your photos get into the programme so you can catalogue and edit them. But are you doing this in the most effective way?

It seems so simple, but appearances can be deceptive. There are several ways to import into Lightroom. From a manual job to an automated system. But you do need to invest a little time first.

Importing can seem like a tedious job. Set it up properly and it becomes simple. It also happens the same way every time, which is important for keeping an overview.

With a number of predefined settings, you create a workflow that ensures everything happens exactly as you want it to. I have collected a number of tips for this.

I should also point out that if you do not use Lightroom Classic, some of these things may also work in other catalogue/raw editing software. Try it out and see whether you can use any of it.

1. Use a (good) card reader

The photos on the memory card need to be transferred to the computer. You can do this by connecting the camera to the computer with the appropriate cable. I recommend using a good card reader rather than the camera.

Connecting the camera means opening the (often) rubber flaps and attaching the cable. That is more work than simply taking the card out of the camera.

The connection between camera and computer is usually not the fastest connection. This means transferring photos takes longer than with a good (fast) card reader. It is simply easier.

2. Import directly into Lightroom Classic

You can first copy the photos from your memory card to your computer's hard drive and then import them. But why would you? Import directly into Lightroom Classic, as that saves a lot of work.

By copying directly from the memory card into Lightroom, you can automate things. For example, you can have the file name changed automatically. It is also faster because you only need to perform one action.

By importing directly into Lightroom Classic, you can automate many things, allowing you to work more efficiently. After all, you want to spend as little time and energy on this as possible.

3. Use presets for every step

When importing, you ideally want to provide as much information as possible straight away. That means you do not have to do it after the photos have been imported. You can do this with presets.

You can change the file name directly during import, but you can also have edits applied automatically, add metadata, or add keywords.

I describe all the steps you can take in the article about presets in Lightroom. I recommend that you study this article thoroughly and use whatever you can benefit from.

You can also create a separate preset for each type of import. That way, the right photos end up in the right place and in the desired collection. Read all about it in this article.

By automating this, you remain consistent and have as little work as possible. Everything happens behind the scenes, so you can focus all your attention on other things.

4. Start adding keywords

The most tedious and time-consuming job is adding keywords. Especially when you have many different subjects and objects during an import, it takes a lot of time and energy.

Still, it is sensible to start straight away, whether partly during the import or not. This not only ensures that the photos can be found as effectively as possible, it is also better to get the job done straight away.

There are several ways to add keywords. Make it easy for yourself and use the methods that work best for you. In my article about keywords, you can see what is possible.

Do not put it off. If you have to catch up later, it will only be more work.

5. Use a system for selecting successful photos

To separate the wheat from the chaff, you need to use a consistent selection method. Work systematically and it becomes reasonably simple.

First choose successful or unsuccessful with a flag status. Then add stars to the photos that are worth editing. Use colours to mark edited or unedited.

Then start using further ratings. Two stars, three, or even four and five. Make this into a system that you follow every time. Write it down on a cheat sheet and keep it by your computer.

6. Make sure you have a backup

The photos you take are valuable. You do not want to lose them. So always make sure you have a good backup. This should be not only of the Lightroom Classic catalogue, but also of the photos themselves.

Make sure you have this properly arranged. Regularly backing up the Lightroom catalogue is something you are reminded about regularly when closing the programme. Do it regularly.

You have to arrange the photos yourself. Make sure you have a backup on an external hard drive, a NAS or in the cloud. This is the only way to minimise the chance of losing your photos. Read my article about this.

Tips are not obligations

Of course, you are never obliged to follow all the tips. Use whichever ones you find useful. But remember that you only know whether a tip is useful to you once you have tried it. Saying beforehand that it is not something you want does not work.

Try it out during the dark days before Christmas, and after Christmas if you need more time. Who knows, the tips may help make your Lightroom workflow more enjoyable.

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