Need help reinstating photos in LR

Question

Hi allAfter a really long day shooting an event last week, instead of deleting 'previous import' files I accidentally deleted all files in LR classic. I didn't just 'remove from LR" I deleted. My previous LR backup was just a few days prior with no significant changes since. After deleting I did not back up LR again. Using time machine I reinstated the files. I then imported one folder of images to see if they would be recognized by LR and all the changes / keywording etc would automatically be reinstated. But they weren't . How can I get the files and the LR catalogue to talk to each other again. I have 18,000 files that were edited and keyworded. Any advice would be SO welcome. thank youMaria

dj_paige · Accepted Answer

Reimporting images is the wrong thing to do.

If the photos are in their original locations after you restore the backups of your photos, then just open the backup of the catalog file and everythiing should work

Otherwise, you will have to re-connect the photos in LrC to their new location. Open the backup of the LrC catalog and then follow these instructions (pleaase see Figure 4): https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/need-help-reinstating-photos-in-lr/td-p/13074572

JP Hess · Answer

I'm not sure why you would want to delete "previous import" files. Previous import simply take you to the folder of images that you last imported. It is a quick method to return to your most recent activity. After you import again, those images and their folder will begin showing up in the folder history in LrC.

If you delete "previous import" files then you are deleting images from your most recent import. Is that really what you intended to do?

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