Lightroom Star Ratings and Colour Labels: My Go-To Workflow for Culling, Editing and Delivering Like a Pro
Photography Tips · Tips & Tutorials
A catalogue system that separates image quality from workflow stage.
Most photographers open Lightroom, import their images, and immediately face the same problem: too many files, no clear system, and a growing sense that they're spending more time managing their catalogue than actually editing.
Star ratings and colour labels are Lightroom's answer to this. But the software gives you the tools without explaining how to use them — and most photographers either ignore them entirely, or use them inconsistently until the system breaks down.
This is the workflow I use in my own catalogue and teach across workshops and mentoring. The core principle is simple: star ratings assess image quality, colour labels track workflow stage. Keep those two things separate and your catalogue becomes a tool rather than a problem.
01 · Quality
Star Ratings: Quality Only
Star ratings answer one question — how strong is this image? Not what it's for, not where it's going. Just: is it good?
| Stars | Label | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 0— | Unrated | Just imported. Not yet reviewed. |
| 1★ | First Pass | Technically okay, but compositionally weak. |
| 2★★ | Considered | Solid image — worth a closer look. |
| 3★★★ | Select | Creatively strong and emotionally engaging. |
| 4★★★★ | Final | Polished and ready for delivery or publication. |
| 5★★★★★ | Hero | Portfolio-grade or competition-worthy. |
02 · Workflow stage
Colour Labels: Workflow Stage Only
Colour labels answer a different question — where is this image in the process? They're not for favourites, not for quality. They're a traffic system for your catalogue.
| Colour | Label | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 🔴 Red | Follow-Up / Needs Attention | Requires a creative decision later. |
| 🟡 Yellow | Merge Needed | Bracketed set — HDR, pano, or focus stack needing merge. |
| 🟢 Green | Print Version | Final high-res file ready for print or archive. |
| 🔵 Blue | Client Delivery | Approved and export-ready for client or licensing. |
| 🟣 Purple | Work In Progress | Still being edited — not yet final. |
Each label is a signal. It tells you exactly where that image stands without opening it again to remember.
03 · Two separate questions
Using Both Without Crossed Wires
The system works because stars and colours never overlap in meaning:
| Scenario | Star Rating | Colour Label | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just imported | 0 | — | Needs first review |
| Bracket set to merge | ⭐⭐ | 🟡 Yellow | Technically strong — needs merging |
| Final gallery image | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🟢 Green | Portfolio-ready, print-ready |
| Client-approved | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🔵 Blue | Ready for export |
| Creative flag | ⭐⭐ | 🔴 Red | Needs attention or decision |
| Mid-edit | ⭐⭐–⭐⭐⭐ | 🟣 Purple | Still in progress |
You're always asking two separate questions. How good is it? And where is it going? The answers never get confused.
04 · Setup
Setting It Up in Lightroom
Go to
Metadata > Colour Label Set > Edit…
Rename the labels
Red: Follow-Up · Yellow: Merge Needed · Green: Print Version · Blue: Client Delivery · Purple: Work In Progress
Save the set as
"Pro Workflow Labels"
05 · Automation
Smart Collections: Your Editing Dashboard
Once the labels are set, Smart Collections make the system automatic. Create collections based on colour and rating combinations and Lightroom builds the queue for you:
Colour = Yellow
Merge Queue
Bracketed sets waiting for HDR, panorama or focus-stack merging.
Colour = Green AND ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Print Finals
Portfolio-grade files approved for print or archive.
Colour = Blue AND ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Client Deliverables
Client-approved images ready for export.
Colour = Red
Images for Review
Creative decisions and follow-up work gathered in one place.
Colour = Purple
Active Projects
Images still moving through the edit.
No digging. No second-guessing. Every image in the right place, automatically updated as you work.
06 · The short version
The Short Version
Give every image two pieces of information: how strong it is (star rating) and where it is in your process (colour label). Keep those two systems completely separate and your catalogue will run itself.
This is the system I use whether I'm editing for exhibition, preparing client deliverables, or reviewing work with students in mentoring sessions. It scales to any volume and any project type.
Private photography mentoring
Build a workflow that gives the creative work more room.
Dani Watson offers 1:1 mentoring, Lightroom coaching, and workflow reviews for photographers at all levels. Book a session via the contact page.
