STOCKALPHA — LIGHTROOM STOCK EXPORT CHECKLIST
Manual review | 1 November 2026
https://stockalpha.io/guides/lightroom-to-stock-photography

Application/version: _________________________
Working collection: _________________________
Agency and route: ___________________________
Official requirements checked on: ____________
Working export folder: ______________________

BEFORE EXPORT
[ ] Accessible originals/masters and a separate backup.
[ ] Licensing permissions, release questions and exclusivity reviewed.
[ ] Distinct selected files and final crops reviewed.
[ ] Captions and keywords describe each actual final crop.
[ ] Working copies use stable filenames and a separate destination folder.

FILE SETTINGS AND OUTPUT
[ ] Read the current agency photo requirements.
[ ] Choose an appropriate format/profile in the export controls.
[ ] Check final pixel dimensions and file size after cropping/resizing.
[ ] Do not treat DPI/PPI metadata as the image's pixel count.
[ ] Do not enlarge merely to reach a numerical threshold.
[ ] Inspect actual exports at full size for focus, noise and processing artefacts.

METADATA
[ ] Check keyword export options, hierarchy and synonyms in Lightroom Classic.
[ ] Select metadata options that retain the intended caption/title and keywords.
[ ] Decide which personal/location metadata should accompany the export.
[ ] Read the actual exported metadata in a suitable viewer.
[ ] Do not confuse a catalogue keyword dictionary with per-photo agency metadata.

AGENCY CSV
[ ] Use the current destination template; the two StockAlpha CSV downloads have
    header rows only and require your own current-batch data.
[ ] Match Filename exactly to the uploaded export, including extension/case.
[ ] Fill required fields; use appropriate category values and applicable flags.
[ ] Follow current rules for optional category/release fields.
[ ] Save a real CSV with correct encoding and quoting for commas in fields.
[ ] Remove unrelated archive rows from the submission CSV.
[ ] Inspect the populated fields in the agency interface before submission.

AFTER SUBMISSION
[ ] Record actual review feedback, approval and the verified public listing.
[ ] Keep a sale separate from an upload, approval or listing.

Adobe CSV specification:
https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/manage-your-portfolio/csv-requirements-content.html
Shutterstock CSV specification:
https://submit.shutterstock.com/help/en/articles/10617486-how-do-i-include-existing-metadata-with-my-content-submission

This is a manual checklist, not a Lightroom preset, catalogue scanner, automatic
validator or guarantee of agency acceptance. Keep your original files intact.