Let’s be real: after shooting 10+ shows back to back, the last thing I want to do is spend hours clicking through sliders. But I still need to deliver fast, especially on tour. So here’s how I edit smarter, not harder — and get consistent results without burning out.
Presets
I built presets that work in low light, high contrast, and weird stage colors. That means I’m not starting from zero with every image. I apply my base preset, and usually 60% of the work is done. Then I just tweak.
Sync
Once I edit a good photo from the set, I sync those settings across similar shots. I still double-check each one, but it saves so much time. Don’t waste your energy editing one photo at a time.
Shortcuts Help a Lot
Using keyboard shortcuts in Lightroom saves more time than you'd expect. Just pressing D to open Develop or R to crop adds up when you're working through hundreds of photos. You can even set custom shortcuts to match how you work. It's a small change that really speeds things up, and it helps you stay focused.
AI Masking
Lightroom’s AI masking helps me fix faces, skies, and backlights without manually brushing everything. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough to make a big difference quickly. Use it.
Crop
Not every photo is perfectly framed. And that’s okay. I crop a lot. I remove distractions, tighten compositions, and make photos look intentional even when they were a bit chaotic.
Don’t Overthink Every Photo
Not every shot needs to be a masterpiece. If it tells the story, if the moment is there — it’s good enough. Don’t get stuck trying to perfect something no one else will notice.
Export and Done
Once I’m happy, I export everything in one go. Rename, resize, deliver. I keep things organized in folders and upload to Dropbox or WeTransfer right away.
This workflow lets me focus on what matters: capturing real moments and getting content out fast. If you want to speed up your edits too, I share my presets here: Lightroom Presets for Concert Photographers
Try them out, save your time, and spend less of your life staring at a loading bar :)