When I first started taking photography seriously, I’d come home from taking photos with hundreds of photos… and no idea where to start.

Importing, sorting, editing, exporting, it all took way longer than it should’ve.

Eventually, I realised: the problem wasn’t my editing.

It was my lack of workflow.

So I built a simple 5-step system that now saves me hours every week — and actually makes the process fun again:

1. Start with a clean system (and a fast SSD)

I import everything straight into a folder structure by year > month > location or session — and I keep it all on a fast SSD. Clean, consistent, and easy to find later.

2. Create highlights or collections early

I go through quickly and pull out the top 10–20% — the shots that jump out straight away. These become my “anchors” and save me from second-guessing the rest.

3. Use presets (they do 90% of the work)

I apply one of my presets to 2–3 of those standout images, then make minor tweaks. That gets me most of the way there, fast.​

👉 Tip: In Lightroom Classic, you can sync those edits across the rest of the batch — huge time saver.

4. Batch export with the end in mind

Whether it’s for Instagram, your website, or printing — tailor your export settings. Crisp, fast-loading images, every time.

5. Stay consistent — it compounds

Repeat the same system each time you shoot. The more consistent you are, the quicker and better your edits get over time.

If editing feels like a time suck right now, give this a shot.

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