# Lightroom Catalog Export Guide for Katheryn

This guide will help you export your Lightroom catalog so we can import your photos and metadata into the new Directus CMS.

## What We Need

1. **Photos** - The actual image files (JPG, TIFF, RAW, etc.)
2. **Metadata** - Titles, descriptions, keywords, ratings, etc.
3. **Collections** - Album/folder structure

## Option A: Lightroom Classic (Desktop App)

### Step 1: Export Catalog Metadata

1. Open Lightroom Classic
2. Go to **File > Export as Catalog...**
3. Choose a location (e.g., Desktop or a USB drive)
4. Name it `katheryn-catalog-export`
5. Check these options:
   - [x] Export negative files (this exports the actual photos)
   - [x] Include available previews
   - [x] Export selected photos only (or leave unchecked for ALL)
6. Click **Export Catalog**

This creates:
- `katheryn-catalog-export.lrcat` (database file)
- `katheryn-catalog-export.lrdata` (previews)
- A folder with all your photos

### Step 2: Export Metadata to XMP Sidecar Files

This ensures all your titles, descriptions, and keywords are saved:

1. Select all photos (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A)
2. Go to **Metadata > Save Metadata to Files** (or press Ctrl+S / Cmd+S)
3. This creates `.xmp` sidecar files next to each photo

### Step 3: Export a Spreadsheet of All Photos

1. Select all photos
2. Go to **Library > Export as Catalog > CSV** (or use a plugin like "LR/Transporter")
3. Alternatively, you can use **File > Plug-in Extras > Export to CSV** if you have a CSV export plugin

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## Option B: Lightroom CC (Cloud Version)

If you're using the cloud-based Lightroom:

### Step 1: Download Original Photos

1. Open Lightroom on your computer
2. Select all photos you want to export
3. Go to **File > Export**
4. Choose:
   - Location: A folder on your computer
   - File Type: Original
   - Include: All Metadata
5. Click Export

### Step 2: Export Album Information

Unfortunately, Lightroom CC doesn't have a built-in catalog export. We have two options:

**Option 2a**: Use Adobe's web interface
1. Go to lightroom.adobe.com
2. Navigate through your albums
3. Screenshot or note down your album structure

**Option 2b**: Use a third-party tool
- [Lightroom Album Exporter](https://github.com/nickvidal/lightroom-album-exporter) can help

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## What to Send Us

Please share the following via a file sharing service (Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer):

1. **The exported catalog** (`*.lrcat` file)
2. **All photo files** (in their folder structure)
3. **Any XMP sidecar files** (if you did Step 2 above)

### Recommended: Use a Cloud Sync Folder

If you have a large library, consider:
1. Creating a shared folder on Dropbox/Google Drive
2. Moving the exported files there
3. Sharing the link with us

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## File Size Considerations

- **Small catalog** (< 5GB): WeTransfer or email
- **Medium catalog** (5-50GB): Google Drive or Dropbox shared folder
- **Large catalog** (50GB+): External hard drive or Syncthing sync

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## Questions?

If you're unsure which version of Lightroom you have:
- **Lightroom Classic**: Desktop app with "Classic" in the name, has a catalog file
- **Lightroom CC**: Cloud-based, syncs across devices, no local catalog

Let us know if you need help with any step!
