Do you want to know how you can quickly and efficiently import images to Luminar?
Keep reading.
Because this article is going to show you the fastest ways to do a Luminar import.
You’ll discover how to import single images, how to import photos, and where they’ll end up–so you can get to editing them as fast as possible.
Let’s dive right in.
How to Import Single Photos in Luminar
If you want to import a single image into Luminar, hit File, then Edit Single Image:
(You can do this from anywhere within Luminar.)
A keyboard shortcut is Ctrl+O, which will have the same effect.
Alternatively, tap the Plus icon in the top left, then select Edit Single Image:
Next, an Open window will appear, allowing you to browse for the file you want to import.
Finally, find your file, click on it, and hit Open.
Note that you can also use Shift or Ctrl to select multiple files (even within the Single Import dialog), and import them all at once.
Your photos will be imported, but they will appear within the Single Image Edits folder in the Shortcuts area (rather than in a folder):
If you accidentally click away from your imported images, you can always find them again in that location.
From there, you’re free to edit photos, or you can create an Album and drag the photos over to keep them organized within Luminar:
How to Import Folders in Luminar
To import folders in Luminar, hit File, then Add Folder With Images:
Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N, or you can tap the Plus icon and select Add Folder With Images:
Any of these methods will bring up a Browse dialog, where you can select the folder you’d like to import into Luminar:
Pick the relevant folder, then hit Select Folder.
Your photos will begin to import, and will be available via the Folders section of the Library mode:
Note that the folders do correspond to the organization of images in their original locations. So if you move a photo from one folder to another in Luminar, the same will happen in the original locations.
If you wish to move a photo from a folder to an album, just drag and drop:
The photo will remain in the folder, but it’ll also be present in the album for easy access and organization!
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How to Import Images to a Folder in Luminar
One last type of importing worth mentioning:
You can import images from their original locations to a folder preset in Luminar.
In doing so, you don’t just make the image known by the Luminar database. You actually copy the photo to the folder in its original location, leaving you with two separate images.
Here’s how it works:
First, hit File, then Import Images to a Folder:
A window will pop up, allowing you to choose the import-from and import-to locations:
You’re also given the option to Copy Images versus Move Images (where copying leaves the original where it was, and moving the images ensures that they’re no longer in the original location).
Where Do Files Go When You Import Them to Luminar?
When importing images to a folder (i.e., copying images), you’ll end up with an extra copy of every photo added to the folder.
Otherwise, the images are only ever stored in the Luminar database as previews; they remain in their original locations!
Luminar Import: Conclusion
Now that you’ve finished this article, you should be able to quickly and easily import your images into Luminar.
But don’t stop there!
If you’re looking to keep take your photo editing to new heights, I recommend you sign up for my email list, where I send all sorts Luminar tips, tricks, and secrets that I don’t share on my blog.
I’ll also send you my Luminar workflow checklist, free of charge:
The 7-Step Luminar Workflow to Create Stunning Photos
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