Mastering Lightroom Workflow: Editing Faster with Consistency & Creativity

Streamline Your Editing in Lightroom

As a professional photographer with over 15 years of experience, I've evolved through countless editing styles and workflows.  But one guiding principle has always remained the same: I aim to capture each image as close to perfect as possible in-camera.

Being not just a photographer, but also a wife and mom, I've learned that time is precious.  That's why efficiency has always been at the heart of my editing process.  I've developed a streamlined Lightroom workflow that enables me to edit more efficiently, without compromising quality, creativity, or consistency.

Building a Style That’s Fast, Consistent, and True to "You"

While my editing style has evolved over the years, I've consistently gravitated toward a light and airy aesthetic, characterized by warm tones with a vibrant pop.  I prefer to keep edits minimal and natural, using subtle enhancements that elevate an image without making it feel overly processed.

Of course, great editing starts well before you open Lightroom.  Factors like lighting, location, camera settings, weather, and even your client's wardrobe all play a role.  And while we can't control everything on a shoot, editing is the one area where we do have complete control—it's our post-production superpower.

Creating a Simple and Effective Lightroom Workflow

For nearly seven years, I've relied on the beautiful preset collections from Pretty Presets—and it's truly been a game changer.  These tools have empowered me to edit quickly and efficiently, helping me to refine my workflow and develop into a more confident and consistent editor.  Over the past few years, I've finally found a signature style I love—thanks in large part to the inspiration and education I've received through Pretty Presets.

Even more impactful has been the Pretty Presets Facebook community.  Being part of this creative and supportive space has been a true gift.  Photographers from around the world come together to share their work, offer encouragement, and exchange tips.  It's a safe, inspiring place to learn, grow, and celebrate one another's journeys.

When it comes to my workflow, I like to keep things simple and streamlined.  I've experimented with tools like Aftershoot for culling, but I've found that a more "hands-on" approach works best for me.  That's why I do everything from start to finish within Lightroom Classic.

Adapting Your Workflow for Different Photography Sessions

While many photographers choose to specialize in a specific niche, I enjoy the variety of capturing different types of sessions.  From indoor studio shoots to golden hour outdoor portraits, my work encompasses a diverse set of lighting situations and environments. 

Naturally, my workflow can shift a bit depending on the session, but there are a few core editing techniques I consistently return to, and I'm excited to share those with you next.

My Lightroom Editing Workflow: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Import and Cull Your Images Efficiently

Once I've imported my images into Lightroom Classic, I begin my first round of culling directly in the Develop Module.  I prefer to take a hands-on approach, carefully reviewing each photo and marking my favorites by clicking the small circle in the top-right corner of the image thumbnail.  This automatically adds them to the Quick Collection in the Library Module, making it easy to access and sort through my selected images later.

Step 2: Apply Presets and Finalize Your Image Selections

As I enter the editing phase, I conduct a final cull, removing any images from the Quick Collection that don't make the final cut.  This ensures that only the strongest, most consistent photos make it into the finished gallery.

I always kick off my editing process with the Clean Portrait preset from the Pretty Presets AI Portrait PRO Collection.  It's the perfect foundation for a clean, polished look.  I typically set the Amount Slider between 55 and 75, depending on the lighting and skin tones in the image.

Next, I layer on the Sahara preset from the Warm and Organic Millennium Preset Collection.  I love this particular preset for its soft warmth and subtle glow—it adds just the right amount of richness to my photos.  Most of the time, I don't even need to tweak the amount slider; it's beautifully balanced right out of the box and incredibly versatile across different sessions and lighting situations.

Step 3: Crop and Make Tonal Adjustments in Lightroom

Next, I crop the image to enhance composition and draw focus to the subject.  From there, I move into tonal adjustments:

• • First, I fine-tune the exposure to get the overall brightness just right.
  • Then I adjust the highlights and whites to bring out the lightest parts of the image.
  • Next, I lift or deepen the shadows and blacks to add depth and detail.
  • I follow with the contrast slider to add that subtle pop of dimension.
  • Finally, I use the temperature slider to warm up or cool down the image until the tones feel just right.

These small tweaks make a significant difference and help convey the mood I want to create—natural, clean, and full of life!

Step 4: Batch Edit with Copy & Paste for a Cohesive Look

Once I'm happy with the adjustments, I copy the settings by pressing keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C on a PC (or Cmd+C on a Mac).  In the copy settings dialog, I select "Check All," but I make sure to deselect "Crop"—since each photo may need its own unique crop.

Then I move to the next image and paste the settings using Ctrl+V on a PC (or Cmd+V on a Mac).  This simple step is part of my batch editing process—it saves a considerable amount of time and ensures a cohesive, polished look across the entire session.

If the images were taken in the same location and under the same lighting conditions, I rarely need to make additional adjustments.  However, when we've moved around or the lighting changes, I go back in and make any necessary adjustments, always cropping each image individually to achieve the best composition.

Bonus Editing Techniques to Elevate Your Photos

While my basic workflow remains consistent, I have a few extra tools and adjustments that I reach for to elevate certain images, especially close-up portraits or more complex scenes.  Here are some of my go-to techniques:

• • Enhancing Eye Catchlights:  For portraits, especially tight close-ups, I often use the Eye Finisher from the Pretty Presets AI Portrait Pro Collection to bring out the sparkle in the eyes.  I typically set the Amount Slider to around 65, just enough to enhance without overdoing it.
  • Adjusting Background Exposure & Warmth:  When I want more control over the background, I use the Scene tool from the same AI Portrait Pro Collection I linked above to subtly adjust exposure and warmth.  It's a great way to add balance without affecting the subject.
  • Softening with Clarity: For a dreamier look, I slightly lower the Clarity Slider. This softens skin and creates a beautiful background, especially in more romantic or whimsical sessions.
  • Selective Color Adjustments: If a photo needs a little extra color correction or mood enhancement, I'll adjust the HSL sliders, typically focusing on reds, oranges, yellows, and greens-ideal for refining skin tones and natural environments.
  • Spot Removal with Generative AI:  The Generative AI remove tool has completely transformed my retouching process.  Whether it's a pimple, blemish, or an unwanted object in the background, this tool is my new favorite for fast, seamless fixes.
  • Sky Enhancements for Beach Sessions:  For beach photos, I love using the Pretty AI Sky Recover tool, which is also included in the AI Portrait Pro Collection.  It brings depth and subtle drama back into the sky without overpowering the softness of the overall image.

Final Thoughts: Trust Yourself and Enjoy the Journey

When it comes to editing, trust your instincts—and don't forget to have fun with it!  Avoid the trap of comparing your work to others.  Instead, let yourself be inspired by fellow photographers, learn from their journeys, but always stay true to your own creative voice.  Your style is uniquely yours, and that's what makes your work so powerful.

As my grandfather always said, "You're never too old to learn something new.  They can take everything from you, but they can never take your knowledge."  That reminder has stuck with me throughout my photography journey, and it remains as relevant today as ever.

We are incredibly fortunate to be part of an industry that's constantly growing and evolving.  There's always a new tool, a fresh perspective, or an exciting technique to explore.  The possibilities are truly endless—and how amazing is that?

So keep learning, keep creating, and most of all, keep showing up as your authentic self behind the lens!

Do you have any questions or comments about Arista's Lightroom Workflow Tips? Just leave us a comment below - we would LOVE to hear from you! And PLEASE SHARE this post using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!