class by leah zawadzkiThe Simple Edit
Learn Lightroom, improve workflow, simplify your edit, and find time for what matters most.
Find a rhythm with your photography workflow and discover Lightroom as a creative space you’ll love living in. The Simple Edit is an online Lightroom workshop that helps you organize, curate, and edit your images with intention and clarity.
COURSE LENGTH3 weeks
class start date23rd Feb 2026
INVESTMENT$300 / $350
Independent / Guided
leah zawadzkiDoes Lightroom feel complicated and overwhelming? By the end of this class you won’t be able imagine working without it.
It can feel completely overwhelming to work out how to organize your photos, create an editing workflow or begin editing your photos. In The Simple Edit you’ll learn how to create and use a simple folder structure and harness the value of Lightroom.
This workshop doesn’t just cover how to use Lightroom. You'll learn how to structure your workflow, streamline your editing, and save time while creating edits that truly reflect your voice as an artist. You'll come away with a smarter, simpler system for organizing your images, a clear and repeatable workflow from import to export, and editing techniques that bring your photos to life without overcomplicating the process.
You’ll also explore a powerful idea: better edits begin with better photos. Yes shooting mistakes can be fixed in Lightroom—but more importantly, you’ll learn how to recognize those mistakes before they happen so you can stop repeating them and start growing. Whether you're buried under a backlog or just starting out, this class will help you find clarity, creativity, and confidence in your editing. Lightroom will become a place you actually want to be.
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The basics of Lightroom CLASSIC with focus on the Library and Develop modules
A simple, straightforward way to organize your photographs so you can find them—with or without Lightroom
A photography workflow that saves time
To be intentional about what a photo needs and what it doesn't
How to improve in-camera shooting and refine your style
Editing basics, such as color balance, the tone curve, and using the toolbar
Simple techniques for processing black and white
The importance of curating your photographs into a cohesive and consistent body of work that saves time and makes you feel good
Creative ways to use the print module, from creating collages, laying out social media posts, designing Christmas cards, to wall layout design
How to make beautiful books and be inspired to make them year after year
Bonus—how to edit video in Lightroom
Most importantly, to stop procrastinating and love the editing process
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This three-week online interactive workshop includes:
A supportive, collaborative space where questions are encouraged
Over 12 hours of instructional video and written instruction; lessons are released daily, and students can watch when convenient to them (keeping up with the material is encouraged)
Daily interaction with Leah to answer questions, offer encouragement, and ensure you understand the content provided
An opportunity for guided students to submit images before class starts for personal feedback and direction on editing
Small, simple activities to reinforce lessons
One big assignment during week two: be prepared to photograph, curate, and edit 10 images using skills learned in class, guided students will receive individual editing & image critique feedback videos
LIVE Q&A session for all students
PLUS! Receive a set of Leah’s Illuminate presets FREE—provided to every student on the first day of class
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Access to Lightroom CLASSIC and a DSLR or mirrorless camera are required.
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Interactive classes are held online and registration opens seasonally.
Guided students can participate fully in class, by asking questions, submitting assignments, and getting personalized feedback from your teacher.
Independent students have full access to class content and can participate in class discussions —they just don’t get teacher critique and feedback on images or assignments.
“The Simple Edit is one of my favorite classes and I've taken many. I believe it should be a required class for every photographer. If you are struggling with either editing in Lightroom and/or keeping your photos organized, or developing an easy workflow from shooting, to editing, to exporting your images, then you have to take this class.”
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MEET THE TEACHER
Leah
Zawadzki
Hi! I’m Leah. Drawn to color, composition, and light, I point my camera at whatever moves me.
Following a 10-year career in interior design, inspired by my love for family, I picked up a camera and taught myself how to photograph. I’ve always enjoyed being in the post-processing space, experimenting and exploring. Today, I love teaching others how to love it too.
Always intrigued by the story photographs tell about the people and places I photograph, even more importantly, what they tell about me. You'll often find me wandering the streets to discover whatever comes next.
I’m a wife, mom to three grown kids, and a photographer living in Southern California.
Any questions? Email your teacher directly here and they will get back to you.
Alumni Student? We’d love to have you back! Email your teacher here and they will send you a link.
Registration opens January 7th
6pm EST
What other students had to say
I learned so much in The Simple Edit class. The content was relevant, thorough and easy to follow. Leah is a natural teacher. She encourages her students by calling out their strengths and helping them consider ways to grow. Not only is she extremely talented, she is willing to share her knowledge and tools. The assignments were helpful and Leah provides great feedback through videos. It was the most personal feeling online course I've taken.
michelleThese 3 weeks with Leah as a warmhearted, sensitive, experienced and enthusiastic teacher and guide have been a intense and wonderful journey on my photographic path. I was able to find a solid base In learning how to organize my images in Lightroom better, to concentrate on taking well-shot images and get to know the tools for a simple edit. The personal feedback, both written and with videos, was so helpful and motivating. I loved also the little assignments offering us space for personal insight and projects, opening up to nearly philosophical questions, giving inspiration and encouragement. I loved the concept of this online class and didn’t miss one bit of a traditional on site class could offer. Thank you Leah!
susanna
I took Leah's class because I wanted to organize my photos using Lightroom and speed up the editing process--her class seemed the perfect solution. What I wasn't expecting was to become excited and energized about photography again and the whole creative process! We were only a few days into the class when I knew that it was going to be much more than what I had expected. Leah isn't just a teacher but a mentor and friend. She opened herself up to us in a very honest and genuine way and took a personal interest in each of us as students. I was amazed at how much time she put into giving us feedback and answering our questions. I'm enjoying working in Lightroom now, but I'm also shooting with more confidence, and for that, I'm very grateful.
DEBRA
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