01
Explain the purpose of the review.
Tell the client whether they are choosing photographs for retouching, an album, publication, or another specific use. The purpose changes what a good selection looks like.
Give them a target number and a date. If the selection is tied to an agreed package, explain how that agreement applies before the review begins.
02
Agree on a simple selection method.
Use one agreed tag to identify the shortlist. The client can then filter the gallery and review that group without losing it among the rest of the shoot.
Avoid several labels that mean almost the same thing. A selection should be easy to recognize when you return to the gallery later.
03
Ask for comments that describe a next step.
Keep feedback on the photograph it concerns. Ask the client to explain the requested use or change instead of referring to a screenshot in a separate message.
A useful comment might identify a preferred expression, a crop for a particular format, or the photograph intended for an album cover. It should help you understand what to do next.
04
Choose one person to confirm the set.
Several people may need to review a gallery, especially on a commercial job. Agree who will bring the feedback together and approve the final shortlist.
That person can resolve conflicting preferences before the next editing stage. A single confirmed selection is easier to work from than a collection of separate opinions.
05
Confirm the final choices.
Review the tagged photographs and summarize the agreed next step. Confirm the scope, delivery timing, and any questions that remain.
Keep the confirmation with your project notes. You can then start the next stage with a shared understanding of what has been selected.
A few useful answers
What if the client chooses too many photos?
Return to the agreed target and explain the next step. Ask for a smaller final shortlist or discuss a change in scope before continuing.
Should I hide all the unselected photographs?
Make that decision around the review stage and your agreement with the client. The important thing is that the final shortlist is clearly marked and confirmed.