The Lightroom Export Settings Every Portrait Photographer Should Know

As a portrait photographer, especially when capturing the beauty of women in their most authentic essence, it’s so important that your images reflect the care and creativity you put into them. But let’s face it - Lightroom export settings can be confusing, and figuring out how to get your images looking their best can feel like a guessing game.

I often get asked how I export my images to maintain their quality, especially for clients and social media. So today, I’m going to walk you through the exact Lightroom export settings I use for high-resolution images and social media posts. No more second-guessing - let’s make this process as smooth and straightforward as possible!

How to Export Multiple Images at Once

First, let’s keep it simple. When you’re ready to export your images, go to the Develop Module in Lightroom and select the images you want. Then, click File → Export in the top left corner. This will bring up a new window where all the magic happens. Let’s walk through each step.

1. Export Location

The first thing you’ll want to decide is where to save your images. I personally love using an external hard drive to keep things organized and safe. You can also name your folders in a way that makes sense for you (and I can share my folder-naming system in a future post if that would help).

2. File Naming

For file names, I choose the “Custom Name – Sequence” option. If you’re planning to use these images on your website or blog, this is important for making them search-friendly. Rather than using something like “Client Name Portrait,” I recommend using keywords that potential clients might search for. For example, using a location or style like “Outdoor Goddess Portraits” can help your images show up in search results when someone is looking for that type of photography.

Pro Tip: For shoots at specific locations, I always include the venue or location name in the file name. That way, when someone is searching for portraits at that spot, my photos are more likely to appear!

3. File Settings

For portraits, I always set the Image Format to JPEG and the Quality to 100 for the best possible results. As for the Color Space, choose sRGB because it’s the standard for web and ensures your images look beautiful on any screen.

4. Image Sizing

When I’m exporting images for social media—like Instagram or Facebook—I use the Resize to Fit option and set the long edge to 2048 pixels. This size works perfectly for most social platforms while maintaining sharpness and quality.

However, when exporting high-resolution images for clients, I leave the Resize to Fit box unchecked and set the Resolution to 300 pixels per inch. This ensures you’re delivering the highest quality files for prints or digital delivery.

5. Output Sharpening

To make sure your images look crisp on screens, I always select Sharpen For: Screen and set the Amount to Standard. This little touch ensures your images will look sharp and vibrant, no matter where they’re viewed.

6. Metadata

For Metadata, I recommend selecting “Include: All Metadata”. This includes important information about your images, like copyright details, but you can leave the rest unchecked if you don’t need to include things like location data.

7. Watermarking

Personally, I don’t watermark my images. My copyright information is embedded in the metadata, and I find that it keeps my images clean and authentic. But if you prefer to watermark your work, this is where you would add it.

8. Post-Processing

Finally, I always set the Post-Processing option to “Do Nothing” after export. This keeps things simple, and you can review your files afterward to ensure everything looks perfect.

Save Your Settings as a Preset

Here’s a tip to save time: once you’ve dialed in all your export settings, you can save them as a preset. Next time you export, simply click File → Export with Preset, and all of your favorite settings will be ready to go! It’s a little time-saver that can make a big difference, especially if you have multiple projects going at once.

Final Thoughts

Exporting your images from Lightroom doesn’t have to be a complicated process. With these settings, you’ll ensure your photos look stunning for both high-resolution delivery and social media platforms. Whether you’re capturing a goddess in her element or delivering timeless portraits to your clients, the way you export your images plays a big role in the final product.

Want more tips on how to streamline your editing process? Download my full Social Media Schedule PDF to see how I manage my workflow with ease and efficiency. Keep shining, keep creating, and know that every image you export carries a little piece of your artistic soul.

With love, Nami x