katheryn-website/docs/lightroom-export-guide.md

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:
   • Export negative files (this exports the actual photos)
   • Include available previews
   • 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

---

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 can help

---

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

---

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

---

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!