Lightroom Folder Structure and Import Settings

 

Lightroom Folder Structure & Import Rules

Assumptions

This workflow is designed with the following assumptions:

  • Working on macOS
  • Time Machine is already configured and backing up the photo library
  • Photo editing happens on the same computer and drive where imports occur

Root Folder

All photos live under:

~/Pictures

Lightroom Classic is responsible for creating and managing all subfolders under this root.

Folder Structure (Lightroom-Managed)

Lightroom organizes photos by capture date using a Year / Month hierarchy:

~/Pictures
├── 2024
│   ├── 01
│   ├── 02
│   └── ...
├── 2025
│   └── ...
└── 2026
    └── 01

Rules:

  • Folders are created automatically by Lightroom
  • Do not manually create, rename, or move year/month folders in Finder
  • Any folder changes must be done inside Lightroom

Lightroom Import Configuration

Destination

  • Organize: By date
  • Date Format: YYYY/MM
  • Into Subfolder: Off
  • Destination Root: ~/Pictures

File Handling

  • Build Previews: Minimal
  • Build Smart Previews: Optional (enable if editing without the disk connected)
  • Don’t Import Suspected Duplicates: On
  • Make a Second Copy To: Off (Time Machine provides backup)

Apply During Import

  • Develop Settings: None
  • Metadata: Optional copyright preset
  • Keywords: Broad keywords only (apply to all photos in the import)

Examples:

Toronto
Winter
Street
Macro
Pixel8Pro
SonyA6000

Backup Policy

  • ~/Pictures is backed up automatically by Time Machine
  • Always wait for at least one successful Time Machine backup before formatting camera or phone cards
  • Use Lightroom’s “Make a Second Copy To” only when traveling or when Time Machine is unavailable

Organization Philosophy

  • Folders = storage
  • Keywords, ratings, and collections = meaning
  • Avoid browsing photos by folders; use Lightroom filters and collections instead

Do Not

  • Do not move or rename photo folders in Finder
  • Do not mix manual folder creation with Lightroom auto-organization
  • Do not format cards before backup completes

Optional Enhancements

  • Create yearly collections (e.g. Best of 2025)
  • Use Smart Previews for mobile or laptop editing
  • Add a copyright metadata preset for all imports

Last updated: 2026-01-17

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