Narrative Select
Narrative Select is AI-assisted photo culling and editing software for photographers, particularly those handling high-volume shoots.
What Narrative Select is
Narrative Select is AI-assisted photo culling and editing software for photographers, particularly those handling high-volume shoots. It detects faces and evaluates focus and eye state, then ranks images to help with review while leaving final selections to the photographer. Scenes View organizes a shoot into scenes, the Close-ups Panel helps assess expressions, and People Filter can name detected faces and filter by person. Supported formats include CR2, CR3, NEF, DNG, RAW, JPG, HEIC and HEIF. One-click workflows connect with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, Photoshop and Capture One; Capture One support is listed for Mac. Culling is local and can be done offline, with RAW preview, side-by-side comparison and batch actions. The maker says users can import thousands of RAW files in seconds and work with unlimited images and projects. Paid plans are billed annually: Lite is $10 a month, Standard $20 a month, Premium $40 a month and Ultra $60 a month.
Good
- Ranks images using face, focus and eye-state assessment.
- Scenes View and Close-ups Panel aid shoot review.
- People Filter can filter by named faces.
- Supports RAW preview, batch actions and offline culling.
- Connects with Lightroom, Photoshop and Capture One.
Watch out
- No free plan is listed; paid plans are billed annually.
- Lite and Standard support one user each.
- Capture One support is listed for Mac.
Who it suits
It suits photographers who need to review large shoots and want AI-assisted sorting without handing over final image choices. Its listed integrations and local, offline culling may also suit photographers who work with Lightroom or other supported editors.
Verdict
Narrative Select combines AI-assisted culling with scene, expression and people-based review tools. Check the annual plan and user limits against your workflow, and note that the trial length is unspecified.
Plans and prices
From Narrative Select's own pricing page, checked 29 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | $10 a month | 1 user · unlimited images and projects · fast culling · ships to Lightroom, Photoshop and Capture One · annually |
| Standard | $20 a month | 1 user · advanced AI culling · unlimited editing with Core and Marketplace AI Presets · annually |
| Premium | $40 a month | up to 2 users · 1 Color AI Preset · 1 Black & White AI Preset · AI image straightening · annually |
| Ultra | $60 a month | up to 4 users · up to 5 Color AI Presets · up to 5 Black & White AI Presets · personal onboarding · early access to features · annually |
The facts
Each one read from Narrative Select's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- AI culling
- The software detects faces and assesses focus, eye state and whether a better frame may exist in a scene.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Creative control
- The AI sorts, assesses and ranks images while the photographer makes the final selections.checked 29 Sep 2026
- High-volume workflow
- The maker says users can import thousands of RAW files in seconds and use unlimited projects and images.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Image formats
- Supported formats listed include CR2, CR3, NEF, DNG, RAW, JPG, HEIC and HEIF.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- Narrative supports one-click workflows with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, Photoshop and Capture One; Capture One support is listed for Mac.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes the product as built for photographers, especially professionals who shoot high volumes of images.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Limits
- The listed paid plans support one user on Lite and Standard, up to two on Premium, and up to four on Ultra.checked 29 Sep 2026
- People Filter
- People Filter lets users name detected faces and filter a shoot by one or more people.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Narrative is AI-assisted photo culling and editing software designed for photographers.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Scenes and close-ups
- Scenes View organizes a shoot into scenes, and the Close-ups Panel helps review expressions.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Support
- The site links users to a Narrative Help Center and a Contact Support page.checked 29 Sep 2026
The company
- Company location
- Narrative describes itself as a New Zealand startup and says it is made in Aotearoa New Zealand.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Founded
- 2019checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Auckland, New Zealandchecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Trial
- New accounts start with a free Ultra trial without requiring a credit card; the page does not state the trial duration.checked 29 Sep 2026
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