Spectra and Stratus Desktop are both great business management tools. But did you know they can also manage the digital/imaging side of your business? Over the years we’ve added many powerful features that can streamline your job, saving you time and money. We’ve also added key integrations with some of the industry’s most commonly used software tools, such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Perfectly Clear, and ProSelect.
The Workflow hub in Spectra/Stratus organizes your sessions by stage and includes many great tools for managing, presenting, and even editing your images. Let’s take a look!
Key Points #
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Statuses (session and production) control the workflow.
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Workflow can be customized to fit your studio! Just because a tool is listed in a certain stage (below) doesn’t mean you can’t use it at a different point in your process.
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Workflow Hub – Workflow Hub
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Workflow Ribbon – Workflow Ribbon
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Session Image Folders – The software automatically creates and maintains five image folders for each one of your sessions — Raw, Hi-Res, Previews, Retouched, and Rendered. Basically, the software provides a clearly organized structure for your image files.
The Workflow Stages #
We realize that every photographer approaches their digital workflow differently. That’s why we’ve packed the software with tools and designed the workflow in a way that lets you pick and choose what works for you! Here’s
an overview of how the software’s workflow stages and tools can streamline your digital workflow:
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A session typically enters the “Capture Images” stage right after the photo shoot. Tasks at this stage include importing your images and creating preview files to be used in Spectra/Stratus. You can import images from a camera card or folder or acquire the images using your own camera software. There are also specialized tools in the Professional and Enterprise editions for tethered capture and importing images for many individuals at once.
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The “Present Images” stage typically involves making pre-sales edits and then holding the actual presentation and ordering session. Pre-Sales Edits #
Presentation & Sales #At some point you’ll present the images and record sales for your sessions. This may include in-person sales presentations, online viewing/ordering, digital or print proofs, and more.
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After a client has ordered, images may need retouch or additional editing before they are ready to print or send to the lab..
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Producing images is the process of creating final images (rendering) and then producing them. Production may involve in-house printing, sending files to your lab, delivering digital files to the client electronically, or a combination of all of these.
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Managing your image files isn’t done when an order is delivered! It’s important to have a system in place to archive and delete images from your drive(s). We’ve included tools to streamline that process for you.
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– Rapidly associate images with one or more sessions during a shoot (tethered) and then automatically process the images by creating previews and adding metadata. Designed primarily for school, dance, or other events where you’re shooting large numbers of people. See also: 
Workflow Example #1: Single Studio with Lab #
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Schedule a session and set the session status to “Session Pending.”
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Shoot the photo session. Spectra/Stratus will automatically create image folders for the session.
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Advance the session status to “Capture Images Pending.”
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Select the session on Workflow hub and click Import Images. Put originals in the raw and/or hi-res session folder(s) and create previews. Archive the originals to a folder or CD for safekeeping.
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Advance session status to “Edits Pending.”
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Open the images in Lightroom for organization and pretouch. Select the session on the Workflow hub and click the Lightroom icon next to the folder that contains your original images. When finished, export hi-res JPEG images back out of Lightroom and Spectra/Stratus will create new previews.
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Select the session on the Workflow hub and use the tools on the ribbon to prepare the images. Crop, make adjustments, sort into groups, and create digital composites. Tip! Create a “sneak peek” group for a one or two images you want to upload to your blog or online gallery.
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Create a pre-production order to render low-res, watermarked versions of the “sneak peek” images and then upload them. You could also deliver them to the client electronically for their Facebook page.
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Advance the session status to “Presentation Pending.”
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Open the Sales Presentation module for the ordering session. Start with the slideshow and then compare, group, and rank images with the client.
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Record the client’s order, including special notes for retouch, and take their payment.
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Print an invoice and image detail sheet (with thumbnails) for the client. Tip: Include copyright information and other terms on the invoice and have them sign a copy for you.
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Advance the session status to “Retouch Pending.”
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Convert the invoice into one or more production orders for internal retouch, frame orders, lab orders, electronic delivery, etc.
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Retouch ordered images. Select the session on the Workflow hub and click Retouch. Or, open and maximize the invoice (or production order) and use the tools on the Editing tab of the ribbon to retouch, crop, modify a composite, etc.
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Advance session status to “Upload Pending.”
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Upload images to InSpiredByYou for online ordering and notify the client their session is available for viewing/ordering.
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Advance session status to “Production Pending.”
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Render images for the lab.
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Create a lab CD/DVD or FTP image files directly to your lab.
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Order additional products needed to fulfill the client’s order (i.e., frames, etc.)
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Advance session status to “Delivery Pending.”
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Use the Production hub to track the status of each production order.
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Notify the client when their order is ready.
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After delivery, advance session status to “Archive Pending.”
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Use the software to create an archive CD/DVD.
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Advance session status to “Delete Images Pending.”
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Delete image files to free up disk space.
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Advance session status to “Session Closed.”
