When I first started using Lightroom in 2006, I was excited I could rename my images as I imported them into my catalog. Up to this point, I used the default filename my camera provided; typically DSC followed by a four digit numbering sequence. Unhappy with the filename, I asked several photographers what naming convention they used and why. I received lots of advice and settled on using my name plus the four numbering sequence the camera provided. Example: vanelli-0715. The rational; when a person performed an internet search on Vanelli, my images would appear. This came at a price. Although I liked the idea I could find my images on the internet, I had a hard time locating images outside of Lightroom on my local computer. Once Google changed how images were index, I searched for a better naming solution.
Google Search Guideline
I turned to Google for advice. They suggested to make your filename a good description of the subject matter of the image. This descriptive filename can give Google clues about the subject matter of the image. For example, Valley-of-Fire-0806.jpg is a lot more informative than DSC0806.JPG. This solution gave me the best of both worlds. By giving my images a descriptive name, I could find them outside of Lightroom on my local computer plus find them on the net.
Keeping the four numbering sequence
I’ve heard photographers suggest to always start the numbering sequence at zero when importing your images into Lightroom. Example: Valley-of-Fire-0001.NEF. This option could create duplicate filenames if you photograph a person or the same location on a regular basis. I prefer to keep my camera’s default numbering sequence. I have about 197,000 photos in my Lightroom Catalog and have yet to have a duplicate name.
Exporting images
Now that I have my naming structure set, I keep the same structure when I export my images. The only difference is the file extension. Example: Jaci Schreckengost-6117.NEF becomes Jaci Schreckengost-6117.jpg when exported. If I make multiple edits to an image, I add a version number after the sequence number plus added information if I need it. Example: Jaci Schreckengost-6117-2-BW.jpg. This tells me I edited the original file Jaci Schreckengost-6117.NEF twice plus I made this copy Black and White.
Suggestions
Portraits: Full Name-sequence number
Delaney Goff-3497.NEF
Events: Year_Month_Day-sequence number_Team name_vs_Team name
2014_05_03-1005_Syracuse_vs_Colgate.NEF
Location: Year_City_State-sequence number
2015_Saint Augustine_FL-1030.NEF
Artwork: Name of the art piece-original sequence number
The Aviator-0806.jpg
Wildlife: Name-sequence number
Baby_Limpkin-0116.NEF
*Feature image © vanelli
Vanelli is a photographer, educator and author based in Florida. Currently he shoots for Inside Lacrosse Magazine, teaches workshops, and writes for Photofocus. Click here for a list of Vanelli’s articles.
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Filed under: Opinion, Photography Tagged: Adobe Lightroom, Robert Vanelli, Vanelli 
