Core features photographers need in DAM software

Core features photographers need in DAM software

Capture the
important moments

Photographer working on retouching pictures at studio.

Focus on creating, not cataloguing

Photographers today manage thousands of images and videos across events, clients, and campaigns – often under tight deadlines. Given the sheer volume of digital assets being created and shared, continuing to rely on manual systems of uploading and storage for them is inefficient at best and overwhelming at worst.

That’s where digital asset management (DAM) software for photographers becomes essential. By intelligently storing and securing digital assets, a robust DAM solution can be the catalyst that transforms workflows for effective uploading, searching and collaboration.

If you’re a busy photographer, this guide contains the core features you need to consider when choosing a DAM system, allowing you to spend more time on your craft instead of on tedious administrative organisation.

Understanding digital asset management

DAM software is a centralised system designed to organise, store, manage and distribute digital assets. It acts like an intelligent library that not only houses digital files, but also makes the files easy to search for, ensures all users have the most updated asset version, and controls individual or organisational access for seamless collaboration without sacrificing security.

Besides greatly streamlining asset organisation, access, and retrieval, digital asset management systems such as Lookatme™ also have features that can help photographers protect their intellectual property —  especially significant in an age where plagiarism and uncredited use of images are rampant.

Key features photographers should consider

Smart search and retrieval

The primary upside of any good digital file organisation system for photographers is to make searching and retrieving images quick and effortless. The less time spent on this, the more time photographers can devote to their craft instead.

DAM systems like Lookatme™ are typically able to offer advanced search and retrieval functions through metadata tagging, keywords, search filters (such as date, file type, or project), and AI-powered image recognition. This means photographers don’t need to remember exact file names to find what they need – the system does the heavy lifting for them.

For example, event photographers can tag photos with details such as location, client name, and specific moments or actions. This simplifies retrieving images on request, like finding shots of a particular campaign inauguration, even among thousands of files.

Seamless collaboration and access control

Photographers frequently collaborate with editors and team members across overlapping projects and clients. In these cases, a centralised system like Lookatme™ that allows real-time collaboration and can track who uploaded what will be a significant asset in reducing the opportunity for crossed wires. 

Features like version control ensure everyone works from the latest version of each asset, while in-platform commenting keeps feedback consolidated in one location. Additionally, Lookatme™ provides role-based access so that collaborators and clients can approve assets without making unauthorised edits.

For instance, photographers can share a Lookatme™ link to clients for photo viewing and approval. The client can then access the photo and leave comments. Finally, the photographer can make the edits and change the client access to include download capability so the client can retrieve the revised photo themselves — all on one platform.

Seamless integration and asset utilisation

Photographers often use a range of tools – from editing software to customer relationship management (CRM) systems and publishing platforms – to manage their work. A good DAM system should be able to integrate seamlessly with these tools for a more streamlined workflow, which can reduce friction and save valuable time for photographers.

Lookatme™ integrates smoothly with platforms like WordPress, Okta, and OneLogin, allowing photographers to manage, publish, and repurpose their digital assets more efficiently. It also enhances asset utilisation with features like bulk metadata editing, zoomable image previews, and automatic generation of image derivatives for different formats and platforms.

For example, photographers can quickly upload images to multiple platforms such as blogs, websites, and social media at one go by selecting a pre-generated derivative with the correct dimensions, saving time on manual resizing while keeping the original file intact.

Scalability and accessibility

As a photographer’s client list grows, so does their digital asset library. A flexible DAM solution that scales with their needs – and allows easy access whether on set, at home, or in transit – is essential to boosting productivity and encouraging consistent use.

Lookatme™ is built to support large and growing asset libraries without compromising performance. Photographers can scale storage up or down as needed, and thanks to mobile-friendly access and an intuitive interface, they can manage and share assets anytime from any device.

For example, photographers no longer need to carry heavy laptops if a client needs images urgently. They can quickly share files via smartphone or tablet with just a link, making the process faster and more convenient.

Take your creativity to new heights with Lookatme™

For photographers looking to grow their business and focus more on their craft, digital asset management is a game-changer.  It streamlines workflows, protects your work, and gives you back time for what matters most – capturing powerful, lasting images.

Lookatme™ offers an intuitive, centralised platform to manage, share, and safeguard your digital assets with ease. Book a free online demonstration to see how our digital asset management for photographers simplifies your process and elevates your photography.