Seeking consulting help for lightroom storage and migration questions

[CaitlinInMunich]

Hi Lightroom experts,

I'm moving from my 2015 Macbook pro to a new computer shortly (about time right). I would be HEARTBROKEN if i lost my lightroom catalogue in the process as my external harddrive backups recently became corrupted (so those 'image preview files' are now very precious to me as they are my personal-not professional photos).

I'd also like to make sure i manage space properly bc i feel like I'm not doing it right and in general feel a bit overwhelmed in my research. I'd love to have a video chat with someone who can see my screen and educate me in these matters. If necessary, happy to pay for this service as I am a bit desperate to get this right.

Would you all have anyone to recommend?? Would LOVE the help!!!!!!

Sincerely,

CaitlinInMunich

{Moved from Lightroom Cloud to Lightroom Classic Forum by Moderator} 

[dj_paige]

Instruction to move LrC to a new computer: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/how-move-lightroom-to-new-computer/

Follow the steps exactly as written. Do not skip steps (unless it clearly doesn't apply to you like moving from Windows to Mac). Do not add in your own steps.

Read step 6 particularly carefully and DO NOT RE-IMPORT and DO NOT SYNCHRONIZE FOLDERS. Keep saying this to yourself: DO NOT RE-IMPORT. DO NOT SYNCHRONIZE FOLDERS. If you think you have to re-import or have to synchronize folders, STOP, DO NOT DO THAT. Do not even think about re-importing. Do not synchronize folders. Why am I stressing this so much? Because this is where a lot of people go wrong.

Optional: create a test catalog of 10 worthless photos (like photos of whatever is in your refrigerator) on your old computer. Then follow the instructions to move this test catalog to the new computer.  If this doesn't work, you haven't lost anything because these are worthless photos; and try again. If you get that working properly, then do it on your real photos in your real catalog.

As far as managing space, you need to describe what you are doing and why you think it is inefficient.

[dj_paige]

Please note just today another person was able to perform such a move following the instructions I gave, I'm sure you can do it!

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/moving-from-lightroom-4-4-nas-to-lightr...

[CaitlinInMunich]

thank you very much DJ Paige! I think one of my concerns is that Im not certain that I want to import my catalogue directly as is. I think i might have some clean up to do to save space.

Here is what things currently look like. I have ~56,600 photos in the program.

Does all this need to move over? Also, in regards to the original question --do you have the number of a specialist I could pay to potentially do it with me?

[dj_paige]

I think one of my concerns is that Im not certain that I want to import my catalogue directly as is. I think i might have some clean up to do to save space.

There is no importing of catalogs in this process!

Do NOT combine the two steps, transferring the catalog and associated files; and cleaning it up somehow. Do NOT do this together as one activity. Get one step correct before starting on the other step. It doesn't matter if you do the clean-up first or if you do the transfer of catalog first, but do not combine them into one activity.

Regarding your screen captures, you should not be keeping your backups on the same disk as the working catalog. Why? Because if the hard disk crashes (and they all do at some point), then you have zero copies of your catalog and zero backups. I'm guessing you wouldn't like to be in that situation. So in your operating system, move (not copy) the entire Backups folder to some other disk and place it in a location that you will be able to find it when you need it. (On my Windows 11 computer, Lightroom Classic backups go to the folder V:\Lightroom Backups; this is easy to remember and there can be no doubt about the contents of that folder). Also, in LrC change the location of backups to some other disk with an easy to remember folder name. See here for instructions on how to change the backup location, scroll down to the section "Back up a catalog automatically".

The biggest item in your screen captures is the Smart Previews. Are you using Smart Previews? Do you need them? It seems like you are not using them, the date on the Smart Previews folder is 2017. If you are not using them or don't need them, in LrC go to the Library Module, select all photos, and then select the menu command Library->Previews->Discard Smart Previews. Or in your operating system, delete the Smart Previews folder but do not delete anything else. (Of course, if you need the Smart Previews then don't do this)

[CaitlinInMunich]

Thank you DJ Paige. However, I'm still looking for a lightroom consultant I can call. There is too much risk for me to take to "hope" i follow instructions carefully. Would you be available? Again, I'm happy to PayPal you-or any experts willing- for your time!

[dj_paige]

I do not do this type of work as a consultant, and I do not know anyone who does. Please try my suggestion of taking 10 worthless photos, import them into a test catalog on your old computer, and then follow the directions to move that test catalog to the new computer.