Batch editing in Adobe Lightroom is a massive time-saver, especially when working with hundreds of photos from the same shoot or in a similar lighting environment. Rather than tweaking each image individually, you can apply consistent edits across multiple photos in just a few clicks.

Whether you’re editing wedding photos, product shots, or a travel series, mastering batch editing will speed up your workflow and ensure visual consistency. In this guide, you’ll learn how to apply batch edits efficiently, refine them when needed, and avoid common pitfalls.

By the end, you’ll be able to streamline your Lightroom process and make mass edits like a pro.

Step-by-Step Guide to Batch Editing in Lightroom

1. Import Your Photos

• Open Lightroom Classic or Lightroom (Cloud-Based).
• Click File > Import Photos and Video.
• Choose the folder containing your photos and import them into a new or existing catalog.

2. Select a Base Image for Editing

• In the Library or Develop module, choose one photo that represents the overall look you want.
• Edit this image fully (exposure, contrast, white balance, etc.).

3. Copy the Settings

• After editing your base image, press Cmd+Shift+C (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows).
• A dialog will pop up. Check or uncheck the specific settings you want to copy (e.g., skip cropping if your photos are framed differently).

4. Select the Target Images

• Hold Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) and click to select multiple images.
• Alternatively, press G to go to Grid view and use Shift-click to select a range.

5. Paste the Settings

• Press Cmd+Shift+V (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+V (Windows) to paste the copied settings onto the selected photos.

6. Use the Sync Feature (Alternative Method)

• In the Develop module, select the edited photo first, then select the rest.
• Click Sync… at the bottom right.
• In the dialog box, choose which settings to sync, then hit Synchronize.

7. Apply Edits During Import (Optional)

• When importing photos, click the Apply During Import panel.
• Choose a preset from the Develop Settings dropdown to apply edits automatically.

8. Use Presets for Faster Workflow

• Save your favorite adjustments as a User Preset.
• Apply it to any number of photos either during import or after selection.

9. Fine-Tune Individual Photos

• After batch editing, go through each photo briefly to make small adjustments (like cropping or exposure tweaks).

10. Export Your Edited Batch

• Select all edited photos.
• Go to File > Export, choose your export settings (file type, size, location), and export them all at once.

Pro Tips & Workflow Improvements

• Auto Sync Mode: Toggle Auto Sync in Develop to apply edits instantly to all selected photos.
• Smart Collections: Use rules to automatically group similar images for batch edits.
• Name Your Presets clearly based on use cases (“Portrait Soft Light”, “Golden Hour Warm”).
• Use Virtual Copies for alternate batch edits without duplicating files.
• Shortcuts save time: learn common ones like Y (Before/After), R (Crop), D (Develop).

Advanced Use Case: Batch Editing with AI Masks

• Lightroom now supports AI-powered masking (e.g., Subject, Sky, Background).
• Edit one image using masks (like brightening the subject).
• Sync with “Masking” options selected — Lightroom will intelligently apply the same type of mask to each image, adjusted per photo.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

• “Sync” button greyed out: Ensure the first image (with edits) is selected first.
• Edits not applying properly? Check if masks or cropping were included unintentionally.
• Performance lag: Too many high-res images? Consider generating Smart Previews.
• Presets not showing up: Make sure you’re in the Develop module.
• Auto Sync confusion: Be careful not to leave Auto Sync on when making individual changes.

Conclusion

Batch editing in Lightroom is an essential skill for any photographer looking to save time and maintain a consistent look across a series of images. With the right workflow, shortcuts, and presets, you can process hundreds of images in minutes.

Ready to go deeper? Check out our guide on creating custom Lightroom presets or automating exports with export presets to further supercharge your editing process.