You're drowning in a sea of photos to edit. How do you decide which ones to tackle first?

The deadline is crucial when deciding which photos to edit first. Prioritize projects with the closest deadlines to ensure timely delivery. Another aspect to consider is the time required for each project. Break down the tasks and estimate how long each will take, allowing you to manage your workload effectively. Finally, consider how mentally draining or energizing each project is. Balance these aspects to maintain productivity and avoid burnout. Tackling a mix of quick, less intensive edits alongside more demanding ones can keep you motivated and on track. This strategic approach ensures you meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.

I'm a photographer and a designer. I always have several parallel projects going on. I prioritize importance and, in case of such a situation, use outsourcing services of proven professionals.

As a retoucher, when I have multiple projects, I always tackle according to deadlines. Sometimes I so multiple projects at the same time, dedicating some hours to each. It also depends on how many images per project. Sometimes it's better to do the smallest first, to have less on your plate. Eventually, if deadlines are not realistic, I ask other retouchers for collaboration.

I give priority to projects. And there are different points that determine the priority. For client works, I give priority based on first come first served bases and deadlines that need to be met. This is because different projects have different deadlines. For personal projects, it’s also start with the project I shot first but I also move through different projects after working on a particular outfit in a shoot. So I have more freedom on how I prioritize on a personal project

It is a simple matter of what is most important. But "Most Important" can mean a lot of things. At times, I might have a real chance to advance my business, for example, if I finish up a certain batch, but I need to do it fast. So I might get that done because it will have the best payoff in the long run. But I would not do that if it meant I would need to renege on an expectation I gave some other customer to have that work delivered by a certain time. In this case "most important" would mean delivering on a promise I had made.

To assure that your workload in photo editing is highly controlled, first examine the quality of your pictures. Select those images that were taken with better composition, nicer, more appropriate light for the subject or the subject was just more interesting certainly. These photos if enhanced would go a long way in having the biggest impact. This could be in relation to the identification of the technical features of the images as well as instincts, as to which of the images are likely to trigger the passion or tell better stories. Thus, it is necessary to choose such potentially effective photos for editing to maximize the benefits of it.

For better management of your time, you may opt for batch photo editing to enhance your efficiency. Be sure to ensure that similar images are grouped together for instance the images that were captured under similar illumination, or images with similar theme. This approach allows you to make consistent changes to several images within a given range of values. Retouch photos in groups and use saved filters, as this allows for quick navigation and unification of several images.

It is therefore important to optimize one’s workflow. Select photo editing software that allow for manipulation of photos without having to create a new file that overwrites the original one. This means that you can try out various kinds of edits confidently since the initial point remains intact. By making folders, its flexible arrangement by date, project, or subject enables the files to be easily located and managed in the most efficient manner.

focusing on workflow helps manage the task efficiently: "To tackle a sea of photos, I start by organizing them into categories or batches based on priority. I often begin with images that are time-sensitive or have specific deadlines. Next, I review the photos and identify those that need minimal adjustments versus those requiring more extensive edits. Using a systematic approach, such as editing in batches or employing preset adjustments, helps streamline the process. Prioritizing workflow not only speeds up the editing but also ensures that each photo receives the attention it needs."

This means that there are a number of things that one has to avoid in order to be most effective while editing: Before starting, ensure your workspace promotes focus: play background music, disable notifications, and minimize all other applications which divide attention. Therefore, you will edit more photos within the least time possible due to the reduction of distractions that would have interrupted your working hours.

"I start by creating a focused workspace and removing any potential distractions. I then categorize the photos based on importance and deadlines—such as those needed urgently for a client or those that are central to a project. By concentrating on the most critical tasks first and tackling them in manageable batches, I ensure that I maintain productivity and deliver high-quality edits in a timely manner."