Many of us have not adopted a regimented approach to organizational structure (described in my article, “Lightroom Organization Strategy”) and may have images scattered across folders and hard drives in a variety of structures and naming conventions — or lack thereof.
Use Adobe Lightroom Classic CC’s import function and file renaming templates to move those images into a standardized folder structure and naming convention (please read the previously mentioned article). With a combination of effective file naming and keywording, you can then use Lightroom’s powerful search tools to easily locate any image in the future. It’s much easier than using brute force to plow through folders all over your computer!
Take time. Do it right.
Note that this process will likely take time – especially to do it effectively. Your photos may be re-imported (moved) in any order. With the process described in “Lightroom Organizational Strategy,” Lightroom parses the image capture date automatically and uses it to determine the destination directory, subdirectory, and filename of the imported images. A methodical, regimented approach is the key to success.
To begin, make sure there is no camera or card reader attached to your computer. In Lightroom’s Library mode, click on the [Import] button (lower right), or select, “File > Import Photos and Videos.”
In the left pane of the import dialog window, select the source folder of images you wish to import. Once that is selected, you will be presented with thumbnails of images to make your selections.
The process is the same as importing from a camera/card. You may wish to select “Move” (instead of “Copy”) if you already have your original images backed up somewhere. Otherwise, select “Copy” and then delete the original mess after you have re-imported images into Lightroom (and backed them up!). Do not select “Add” (as that leaves your photos exactly where are – in the same mess that you already have).
Back it up!
Be sure to back up your Lightroom catalog and your high resolution image files regularly as you go through this process. Refer to my article, “Lightroom Backup Strategy,” for best practices for backups.