Our editing team uses Lightroom Catalogs and smart preview files to edit digital orders. Smart Preview files are a lightweight, smaller file format that contains all the color information of your RAW files, but without the big file sizes. This makes it easy to send us the files we need to complete your order without waiting hours for files to upload.

Select the photos you would like to include with your order. We require that you send only the images you would like to be edited with your order. If you would like to send us sample or anchor images to work from please label these images as green before exporting the catalog.

If you would like us to edit every photo from a catalog you can export from the main menu. Go to File > Export as Catalog, and then select only the Build/Include Smart Previews checkbox. Choose a place for the files to export to and then hit “Export Catalog.”


*If you already import your photos with Smart Previews built and you are sending us your entire catalog, you won’t have to re-export the catalog and you can just send us that catalog.

To send us specific images from a larger catalog first place each of the images you would like to send into a collection. Then right click on the collection and select the “Export this Collection as Catalog” option. This will open the Export Catalog Dialog box. Select only the Build/Include Smart Previews checkbox. Choose a place for the files to export to and hit “Export Catalog.

Our editing team uses Lightroom Catalogs and smart preview files to edit digital orders. Smart Preview files are a lightweight, smaller file format that contains all the color information of your RAW files, but without the big file sizes. This makes it easy to send us the files we need to complete your order without waiting hours for files to upload.

Select the photos you would like to include with your order. We require that you send only the images you would like to be edited with your order. If you would like to send us sample or anchor images to work from please label these images as green before exporting the catalog.

If you would like us to edit every photo from a catalog you can export from the main menu. Go to File > Export as Catalog, and then select only the Build/Include Smart Previews checkbox. Choose a place for the files to export to and then hit “Export Catalog.”

*If you already import your photos with Smart Previews built and you are sending us your entire catalog, you won’t have to re-export the catalog and you can just send us that catalog.

To send us specific images from a larger catalog first place each of the images you would like to send into a collection. Then right click on the collection and select the “Export this Collection as Catalog” option. This will open the Export Catalog Dialog box. Select only the Build/Include Smart Previews checkbox. Choose a place for the files to export to and hit “Export Catalog.”

Go to the location on your computer that you selected as the location for your export and check for two files. There should be a catalog that will have a .lrcat extension and smart previews with a .lrdata file extension. We will be unable to edit your order without both of these files. After you’ve made sure that both of your files are there, you will want to zip your files. Do this by selecting the parent folder that holds both files, then right click on the selected files and go down to “Compress.” This will create a zipped file of the required files and this will be what you send us. 

Follow the steps in "How to Export" to create your LR catalog.

We will double check that everything was sent correctly within one business day and our editors will get started on your order. If there are any issues with your files, our editors will reach out to you to help you get the correct files. Please keep in mind that you will not be invoiced until we receive and verify your files were sent correctly and that your payment information was received and processed.  

Our Editors will do sample edits for every order. They will sample out the various lighting conditions throughout your order just to make sure they are heading in the right direction. Our Editors will not move forward on your order until sample edits have been approved or adjustments have been received via email. Your due date could be affected if a response to samples comes too late. 

After our team has edited your order they will send you an edited catalog in return. When you import/open the edited catalog the edits will connect to the source RAW files on your computer. Be sure to not move or delete your RAW files while you wait. Your images will then be ready for any finishing touches and final export.

● 1-149 images = 3 business day turnaround

● 1-149 images culled from 150+ = 4 business day turnaround

● 1-149 images + film processing = 5 business day turnaround
 
● 150+ images = 6 business day turnaround

● 150-999 + film processing = 7 business day turnaround 

● If we receive multiple orders in a day that accumulate to more than 150 images,
the turnaround time for all orders is 5 business days.

Yes! We are trained to edit film, digital, and hybrid orders. 

Does theFINDlab offer only digital editing?

Does TheFINDlab just offer culling services?

If I have my own preset, can theFINDlab editors still edit my order?

If I don’t have a film look, will theFINDlab editors still edit my order?

Do I need to own C1ick Match or Mastin presets in order for theFINDlab to edit my order? 

Why is my Lightroom file size very large?

Do you offer test edits? 

Will TheFINDlab match my digital to my film images if they were processed by a different lab?

Yes, just send us your photos the same way you would send a digital order for editing with the parameters of how’d you would like the session culled. 

Yes, we will still be able to edit your order! We just ask that you apply the preset to your photos and edit a few photos within your collection and mark them green in LR as anchor images for us to use. 

Yes, we will still be able to edit your order! We just ask that you edit a few photos within your collection and mark them green in LR as anchor images for us to use. 

No. You will not need to purchase these presets. You can tell us what film stock you’d like and we can select which profile or preset matches your preferred style best. 

The most common reason that this happens is when you are choosing the location and name of your new catalog and the check box that states, “Export Negative Files” is checked. This copies all of your RAW files and puts them in the same folder as your catalog and smart previews.

Yes, we offer 25 free images for you to test our services and to begin building your color/editing profile.

Yes! Send us your film photos for reference and our editors will match them for you. 

Is there a minimum amount of images I can send to have edited? 

No. Whether it is 1, 100, or 1,000 the pricing per image is the same and there is no charge for small orders. 

Why should I outsource my editing? 

Because no one that chooses to be a photographer wants to spend more time behind a desk editing than they do behind a camera. When you outsource your editing, you can put that saved time toward booking more clients, meeting with vendors, marketing, and most importantly, spending more time with family and friends. 

Go to the location on your computer that you selected as the location for your export and check for two files. There should be a catalog that will have a .lrcat extension and smart previews with a .lrdata file extension. We will be unable to edit your order without both of these files. After you’ve made sure that both of your files are there, you will want to zip your files. Do this by selecting the parent folder that holds both files, then right click on the selected files and go down to “Compress.” This will create a zipped file of the required files and this will be what you send us. 

After you have your files exported and zipped you will go to our online order form at thefindlab.filemail.com . There, you will fill out the order form and attach your zipped file there and click “Send.”

We will double check that everything was sent correctly within one business day and our editors will get started on your order. If there are any issues with your files, our editors will reach out to you to help you get the correct files. Please keep in mind that you will not be invoiced until we receive and verify your files were sent correctly and that your payment information was received and processed.  

Our Editors will do sample edits for every order. They will sample out the various lighting conditions throughout your order just to make sure they are heading in the right direction. Our Editors will not move forward on your order until sample edits have been approved or adjustments have been received via email. Your due date could be affected if a response to samples comes too late. 

After our team has edited your order they will send you an edited catalog in return. When you import/open the edited catalog the edits will connect to the source RAW files on your computer. Be sure to not move or delete your RAW files while you wait. Your images will then be ready for any finishing touches and final export.

● 1-250 images = 3 business day turnaround 

● 1-250 images culled from 251+ = 4 business day turnaround 

● 251+ images = 6 business day turnaround

● Any amount of digital images + film
processing = 7 business day turnaround 

● If we receive multiple orders in a day that accumulate to more than 250 images, the turnaround time for all orders is 6 business days

DOES THEFINDLAB OFFER ONLY DIGITAL EDITING?

Yes! We are trained to edit film, digital, and hybrid orders. 

Does TheFINDlab just offer culling services?

Yes, just send us your photos the same way you would send a digital order for editing with the parameters of how’d you would like the session culled. 

If I don’t have a film look, will theFINDlab editors still edit my order?

Yes, we will still be able to edit your order! We just ask that you edit a few photos within your collection and mark them green in LR as anchor images for us to use. 

If I have my own preset, can theFINDlab editors still edit my order?

Yes, we will still be able to edit your order! We just ask that you apply the preset to your photos and edit a few photos within your collection and mark them green in LR as anchor images for us to use. 

Do I need to own C1ick Match or Mastin presets in order for theFINDlab to edit my order? 

No. You will not need to purchase these presets. You can tell us what film stock you’d like and we can select which profile or preset matches your preferred style best. 

Why is my Lightroom file size very large?

The most common reason that this happens is when you are choosing the location and name of your new catalog and the check box that states, “Export Negative Files” is checked. This copies all of your RAW files and puts them in the same folder as your catalog and smart previews.

Do you offer test edits?

Yes, we offer 25 free images for you to test our services and to begin building your color/editing profile.

Will TheFINDlab match my digital to my film images if they were processed by a different lab?

Yes! Send us your film photos for reference and our editors will match them for you. 

Is there a minimum amount of images I can send to have edited? 

No. Whether it is 1, 100, or 1,000 the pricing per image is the same and there is no charge for small orders. 

Why should I outsource my editing? 

Because no one that chooses to be a photographer wants to spend more time behind a desk editing than they do behind a camera. When you outsource your editing, you can put that saved time toward booking more clients, meeting with vendors, marketing, and most importantly, spending more time with family and friends. 

WHAT IF I HAVE MULTIPLE ORDERS TO SEND AT ONE TIME?

We recommend filling out a new order form for each individual order. This ensures that each order will be invoiced as quickly and orderly as possible.

1. CREATE A SMART CATALOG AS SHOWN UP ABOVE. 

After you have your files exported and zipped you will go to our online order form at thefindlab.filemail.com.  There, you will fill out the order form and attach your zipped file there and click “Send.”

2. FILL OUT OUR DIGITAL ORDER FORM AND PAY FOR ORDER.