A practical studio workflow
Lightroom Proofing Filenames: Keep Client Picks Traceable
Choose a stable filename convention before sending proofs and keep a mapping to the originals.
Start here
The practical answer
Choose a stable filename convention before sending proofs and keep a mapping to the originals. Renaming midway through selection can make a correct pick hard to locate.
A photographer exports short sequential names for a client, then renames the source files. Matching selected proofs to RAW files becomes a manual detective task.
Put it into practice
A three-step working sequence
- 01
Choose a shoot identifier and unique frame reference
Write the requirement down before sending the files. Use the project identifiers in the record below.
- 02
Keep the proof-to-original mapping
Use the real recipient or receiving environment for this check. Record the result against the current version.
- 03
Test a few client picks before publishing the whole set
Keep the result with the project handoff. Resolve any mismatch before treating this step as complete.
Worked handoff
A concrete example
Use a shoot identifier with a unique frame reference, such as S240_Frame018_Color.jpg. If two cameras produce IMG_0018, preserve a camera or source identifier in your mapping rather than allowing a collision.
Keep the record
Your project worksheet
Shoot ID, original filename, proof filename, catalog reference, selected status.
Use these fields to record your own project. The blank worksheet includes the three steps above, room for results, an owner and a date. It is an editorial template, not an automatic export from the product.
Download the CSV worksheet ↓Product fit
Where clientgallery.io fits
ClientGallery offers a Lightroom Classic workflow; the integration should be evaluated in your actual catalog. Other editing tools can use a deliberate export and filename handoff without implying a native integration. Keep source catalogs and originals under your own recovery plan.
Explore the Lightroom workflow →
Product reference: the existing clientgallery.io workflow guide. The scenarios and worksheets on this page are illustrative editorial examples, not customer testimonials.
Make the next step concrete
Test it with one real project.
Check the client handoff, then choose the plan that matches the work you need to deliver.