RAW vs JPG: Why I (Almost) Always Shoot in RAW

As a photographer, I often get asked:

“Do you shoot in RAW or JPG?”

My answer is usually quite clear: RAW, absolutely. But – and this is important – there are exceptions. In this blog, I’ll explain why I almost always shoot in RAW, what the difference is between RAW and JPG, and I’ll share practical tips to help you get the most out of your images – whether you’re just starting or have been photographing for years.

What’s the actual difference?

JPG (or JPEG) is a compressed file format. Your camera does a lot of the thinking for you: colors, contrast, sharpening, and white balance are all applied automatically. The result is a ready-to-use file that takes up little space and requires no editing.

RAW is the complete opposite. It’s a “raw” file that stores all the original image data from your sensor – without any processing. Your camera does (almost) nothing to the image. That means more freedom, but also more work.

Why I shoot in RAW

1. Maximum editing flexibility

I always edit my photos in Lightroom Classic or Photoshop – and that’s exactly where RAW truly shines. Especially with portraits and macro photography, where I like to play with light, contrast, and color, RAW gives me a lot more control. You can easily:

• Recover details in shadows and highlights
• Correct white balance without losing quality
• Fine-tune color tones (think skin tones or natural greens)
• Sharpen without instantly increasing noise

💡 Tip: In Lightroom, use the sliders for “exposure”, “highlights”, and “shadows” to save an under- or overexposed RAW photo. That’s rarely possible with JPG without sacrificing quality.

2. Better control over color and mood

A JPG makes decisions for you: how saturated the colors are, what white balance is applied, and how much contrast there is. But I want to make those decisions myself. RAW gives me the freedom to match each photo to the mood I envision.

Example: During sunrise, I sometimes want to emphasize the cool morning tones. RAW gives me all the flexibility I need, without compromising quality.

Related blog Working Smart in Lightroom Classic

When I do use JPG

Even though I shoot in RAW 95% of the time, there are times when JPG is simply more practical:

1. When I need a fast workflow

At events or during family shoots where I don’t plan to edit much, I sometimes choose JPG. You don’t need to import or edit – it’s really plug & play.

2. To save storage space

RAW files are large. Especially when I’m out for a full day taking hundreds of photos, storage can fill up quickly. JPG is much more efficient. A typical RAW file is about 40 MB, a JPG only around 8 MB.

3. When I know I won’t need to edit anything

Occasionally, I take a photo that feels spot-on: perfect lighting, beautiful colors, no edits needed. In those cases, JPG is perfectly fine – although it rarely happens 😉

My RAW workflow

• Import into Lightroom Classic – I use a fixed import preset with basic adjustments like lens correction and a touch of sharpening.
• Selecting and editing – I do basic edits in Lightroom, and for more refined retouching (like skin or focus stacking), I use Photoshop.
• Exporting to JPG – Only at the end do I export to an optimized JPG in the correct size and color profile.

💡 Tip: Use smart collections or folders in Lightroom to keep RAW and JPG files well organized. And: always keep your RAW files – you never know when you might need them again.

In conclusion: what should you choose?

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That depends on what you want to do with your photos.

📱 Want to quickly share something on social media or don’t like editing? Then JPG is just fine.
🎨 Want full control, more detail, and flexibility in post-processing? Then RAW is the better choice.

My advice?

📷 Shoot in RAW if you want to get the most out of your photos.
Not sure? Many cameras offer a RAW + JPG option. That way, you get the best of both worlds – especially handy for sharing on the go.

Do you have questions about my workflow, Lightroom presets, or how to get started with RAW? Let me know – I’d be happy to help!