I can't find Apples Photos' library to import into Lightroom 6.

[jonathan101101]

In import sources on LR6, there is no Photos option to select.  I had Aperture, then imported this library into Photos a few week back.  Hated photos and now wish to use LR6.  But no Photos library to be found to import...Any ideas?

[Ian Lyons]

Lightroom doesn't currently support importing from the Apple Photos' Library.

[Spgreen65]

so then how do we get the photos out of Apple Photos and into Lightroom?

[Daniel Sterchi · Accepted solution]

Hi there

you can export your photos then from within the Photos App. There is a point under File - Export - Export unmodified original. After that you can import them from the filesystem into LR.

kind regards

Daniel (from Switzerland)

[Naganu_Nanu]

Not intending to hijack the thread, but do you know if Lightroom will move photos to a special location or library, or if I could simply point Lightroom to where I already have my photos organized in directories? I do not want--ever again--to get locked in a proprietary "library" of any kind. Thanks!

[Harri Flex]

I had got into a real mess with my Aperture and iPhoto libraries, when I started to import them into the new 'Photos' software (which replaced iPhoto). For some reason 'Photos' Library didn't recognise my Albums from Aperture, nor did it play the Aperture Slideshows I had created. There seemed to be so many issues in using the new 'Photos' Software, I decided to switch to Lightroom 6 (having now wished I made this choice some years ago, its stunning):)

Having now been convinced of my choice and the successful import of my Aperture Library, I am now somewhat cautious of importing from the iPhoto/Photos Library. a/. Are there are likely to be duplicate images (for that I have purchased the additional Plug-in manager) for about £8.

I therefore gather that I need to export my iPhoto/Photos library, consisting of about 13k images and then re-import them into Lightroom 6? b/. Can I then assume that all the image files will be moved into LR. Can I recover any file space, or will I need to delete any software or just leave Aperture/Phots unused, as the files have not been copied twice? Hopefully the Image duplication plug-in will advise as to where any multiple copies are?

I simply cannot believe that Apple would withdraw support for Aperture, as well as release the iPhoto replacement, which seemingly is full of bugs!!

[pedro_iturbide]

Happened the same to me, it's unacceptable that Apple closed Aperture jut like that and I made mistake to give Photos a chance, it is full of bugs.

Still trying to migrate to Lightroom

[Geoff5463721]

Thanks Daniel, that worked for me.

[bigdadda06]

A bit tedious that we have to do this extra step, but it does work.

[Daniel Sterchi]

Lightroom works with directories not with a proprietary file like a library.

I personally import my images into Lightroom and let Lightroom copy them to a files structure which helps me to be able to find images in the directory structure without Lightroom. You can tell Lightroom how it should organise the directory structure.

It is possible to add remove images from Lightroom's directory structure. I wouldn't do that. If you do then Lightroom's catalog must be synchronised with the file structure.

kind regards

Daniel (from Switzerland)

[Naganu_Nanu]

Thank you very much, Daniel. What I will do then--as soon as I buy Lightroom--is to do not move my images from where they are already organized. Best regards!

[Daniel Sterchi]

Hi Naganu

If you mark the question as answered, others will see that there is an answer to the question…

kind regards

Daniel (from Switzerland)

[Naganu_Nanu]

Sadly I was not the original inquirer, can't mark it as answered. It is up to jonathan101101.

[Jimhudsonjr]

No wonder Steve Jobs hated Adobe!!!  

[Laura Shoe]

Here's another approach: in Finder, right-click on your Photos library, and choose Make Alias. In Lightroom's Import dialog, choose the alias as the source, and choose Copy in the top center to copy your photos out of the library. Note that this will import the unedited originals as well as JPEG copies (previews) with your Photos editing work applied. If you don't want these previews, instead of choosing the alias, expand it and choose just Masters.

[TLeeJr]

Will the alias update itself with new photos to the photos library or do I have to refresh it, or recreate it every time I want to bring in new masters.

In other words are the files being recreated, or are the original files just indexed to lightroom directory path?

[Laura Shoe]

I would expect the alias to update, but it would be most straightforward to just use Lightroom going forward.

[john_capilla]

Laura, thanks for the awesome tip, worked like a charm.

[Laura Shoe]

You're welcome, John!

[niblik2]

I'm going to try to migrate using the Lightroom plugin, by navigating to a separate disk that I have a backup of an older iPhoto library. Perhaps you have a backup? For the remaining newer photos I will use this method. 

"Right click on the Photos icon in your Pictures folder.

Choose: Show Package Contents.

Drag the Masters folder on the the Lightroom app icon or the Library window.

The Import Dialog box will show. Move or Copy to desired location.

Note: this will only take the Master files (the ones you imported into Photos) and not any Albums or tags you may have assigned." [can photos stored in the new Apple Photos be quickly transferred to Lightroom? I am not at all happy...] which worked for me. My older photos to migrate require the album structure, so I need the older iPhoto library. My friend suggested time machine, but I don;t know if that will work. good luck -Bill

[ericw54863930]

One work around is to right click on your Photos library and choose 'View Package Contents'.  You can then drag the 'Masters' folder to your Finder's sidebar.  In Lightroom you can click the upper left 'FROM' button when adding an choose 'Other Source...'.  You should see the Masters folder as a option.  This way you don't have to duplicate your whole photo library (yet again) in the file system.