diff --git a/crates/engine/src/files.rs b/crates/engine/src/files.rs
index a7deebfb..16317f94 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/files.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/files.rs
@@ -652,9 +652,16 @@ pub(crate) fn decode_raw_preview(bytes: &[u8], opts: lightcraft_codecs::DecodeOp
 /// Oriented size of the embedded preview of a raw file.
 fn embedded_preview_size(bytes: &[u8]) -> Option<(u32, u32)> {
     let jpeg = stand_in_image(bytes)?;
-    let d = lightcraft_codecs::decode(&jpeg, lightcraft_codecs::DecodeOptions::fit(64, 64)).ok()?;
-    let (mut w, mut h) = (d.source_width, d.source_height);
-    if preview_orientation(bytes, d.orientation).swaps_axes() {
+    // headers only, as for other images (issue #367): decoding a full-size preview just for its
+    // size took about a second per file in an import; a decode remains the fallback
+    let (mut w, mut h, orientation) = match lightcraft_codecs::read_header(&jpeg) {
+        Ok(header) => (header.width, header.height, header.orientation),
+        Err(_) => {
+            let d = lightcraft_codecs::decode(&jpeg, lightcraft_codecs::DecodeOptions::fit(64, 64)).ok()?;
+            (d.source_width, d.source_height, d.orientation)
+        }
+    };
+    if preview_orientation(bytes, orientation).swaps_axes() {
         std::mem::swap(&mut w, &mut h);
     }
     Some((w, h))
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/import.rs b/crates/engine/src/import.rs
index 20d1983e..24b0cb3a 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/import.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/import.rs
@@ -466,10 +466,18 @@ pub fn launch_path(arg: &str, cwd: Option<&Path>, home: Option<&Path>, dcim: imp
 
 /// Probe files (headers + content hash) as an import would.
 pub(crate) fn probe_paths(s: &Session, paths: &[String]) -> Vec<Result<ProbeInfo, String>> {
-    probe_all(s.media.file_probe.as_ref(), paths, &ScanProgress::default())
+    let progress = ScanProgress::default();
+    probe_all(s.media.file_probe.as_ref(), paths, &progress.done, &progress.cancel)
 }
 
-fn probe_all(probe: Option<&crate::media::FileProbe>, paths: &[String], progress: &ScanProgress) -> Vec<Result<ProbeInfo, String>> {
+/// Probe `paths` (several at once), counting each in `done`. Stops before the next file once
+/// `cancel` is set: the files not reached come back as errors.
+fn probe_all(
+    probe: Option<&crate::media::FileProbe>,
+    paths: &[String],
+    done: &std::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize,
+    cancel: &std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool,
+) -> Vec<Result<ProbeInfo, String>> {
     use std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed;
     let Some(probe) = probe.cloned() else {
         return paths
@@ -497,11 +505,11 @@ fn probe_all(probe: Option<&crate::media::FileProbe>, paths: &[String], progress
                             if i >= paths.len() {
                                 break;
                             }
-                            if progress.cancel.load(Relaxed) {
+                            if cancel.load(Relaxed) {
                                 break;
                             }
                             let r = probe(&paths[i]);
-                            progress.done.fetch_add(1, Relaxed);
+                            done.fetch_add(1, Relaxed);
                             out.lock().unwrap_or_else(|e| e.into_inner())[i] = Some(r);
                         }
                     });
@@ -513,11 +521,11 @@ fn probe_all(probe: Option<&crate::media::FileProbe>, paths: &[String], progress
     paths
         .iter()
         .map(|p| {
-            if progress.cancel.load(Relaxed) {
+            if cancel.load(Relaxed) {
                 return Err("cancelled".into());
             }
             let r = probe(p);
-            progress.done.fetch_add(1, Relaxed);
+            done.fetch_add(1, Relaxed);
             r
         })
         .collect()
@@ -620,7 +628,7 @@ pub fn scan_with(mut input: ScanInput, paths: &[String], progress: &ScanProgress
         .collect();
     let missing: Vec<String> = todo.iter().zip(&cached).filter(|(_, c)| c.is_none()).map(|(f, _)| f.clone()).collect();
     progress.done.store(todo.len() - missing.len(), Relaxed);
-    let mut fresh = probe_all(input.probe.as_ref(), &missing, progress).into_iter();
+    let mut fresh = probe_all(input.probe.as_ref(), &missing, &progress.done, &progress.cancel).into_iter();
     let probed: Vec<Result<ProbeInfo, String>> =
         cached.into_iter().map(|c| c.map(Ok).unwrap_or_else(|| fresh.next().unwrap_or_else(|| Err("not probed".into())))).collect();
     crate::memory::release();
@@ -705,6 +713,10 @@ pub struct ImportJob {
     /// Files found so far (folders expanded) and handled so far, for progress.
     pub total: std::sync::Arc<std::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize>,
     pub done: std::sync::Arc<std::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize>,
+    /// Of those, the files that have to be read first (not probed by a preceding scan) and the
+    /// ones read so far: the step before they are handled.
+    pub read_total: std::sync::Arc<std::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize>,
+    pub read_done: std::sync::Arc<std::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize>,
 }
 
 /// The outcome of [`ImportJob::prepare`] for one batch, in file order.
@@ -857,6 +869,8 @@ impl ImportJob {
             now: (s.clock)(),
             total: Default::default(),
             done: Default::default(),
+            read_total: Default::default(),
+            read_done: Default::default(),
         })
     }
 
@@ -917,8 +931,10 @@ impl ImportJob {
             })
             .collect();
         let missing: Vec<String> = todo.iter().zip(&cached).filter(|(_, c)| c.is_none()).map(|(f, _)| f.clone()).collect();
-        let progress = ScanProgress::default();
-        let mut fresh = probe_all(self.probe.as_ref(), &missing, &progress).into_iter();
+        // Reading the files is the slow part of adding them where they are: it is counted on its
+        // own, and `cancel` stops it too (a large library takes long enough to want both).
+        self.read_total.fetch_add(missing.len(), Relaxed);
+        let mut fresh = probe_all(self.probe.as_ref(), &missing, &self.read_done, cancel).into_iter();
         let probed: Vec<Result<ProbeInfo, String>> =
             cached.into_iter().map(|c| c.map(Ok).unwrap_or_else(|| fresh.next().unwrap_or_else(|| Err("not probed".into())))).collect();
         crate::memory::release();
@@ -1498,4 +1514,51 @@ mod prepared_tests {
         assert!(matches!(prepared.items.first(), Some(PreparedItem::Duplicate { reason: "path", .. })));
         assert!(matches!(prepared.items.get(1), Some(PreparedItem::Ready(_))));
     }
+
+    fn unread_paths(n: usize) -> Vec<String> {
+        (0..n).map(|i| std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("lightcraft-probe-progress-{i}.jpg")).to_string_lossy().into()).collect()
+    }
+
+    /// Reading the files of a large import (a Lightroom catalog's originals) reported nothing:
+    /// the progress stood still at "14 of 24554" for as long as it took.
+    #[test]
+    fn prepare_counts_the_files_it_reads() {
+        use std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed;
+        let mut s = Session::new();
+        let seen = std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize::new(0));
+        let (seen_in_probe, done_in_probe) = (seen.clone(), std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize::new(0)));
+        let mut job = ImportJob::new(&mut s, ImportOptions { mode: ImportMode::Add, ..ImportOptions::default() }).unwrap();
+        let (done, last) = (job.read_done.clone(), done_in_probe.clone());
+        job.probe = Some(std::sync::Arc::new(move |_: &str| {
+            seen_in_probe.fetch_add(1, Relaxed);
+            last.fetch_max(done.load(Relaxed), Relaxed);
+            Ok(ProbeInfo { format: "JPEG".into(), ..ProbeInfo::default() })
+        }));
+        let prepared = job.prepare(&unread_paths(40), &std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false));
+        assert_eq!(prepared.items.len(), 40);
+        assert_eq!(seen.load(Relaxed), 40);
+        assert!(done_in_probe.load(Relaxed) > 0, "progress moves while files are read");
+        assert_eq!((job.read_done.load(Relaxed), job.read_total.load(Relaxed)), (40, 40), "every file read is counted");
+        assert_eq!((job.done.load(Relaxed), job.total.load(Relaxed)), (40, 40), "handling them is counted on its own");
+    }
+
+    /// Cancel had no effect until every file had been read.
+    #[test]
+    fn cancel_stops_reading_files() {
+        use std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed;
+        let mut s = Session::new();
+        let cancel = std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false));
+        let seen = std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize::new(0));
+        let mut job = ImportJob::new(&mut s, ImportOptions { mode: ImportMode::Add, ..ImportOptions::default() }).unwrap();
+        let (seen_in_probe, cancel_in_probe) = (seen.clone(), cancel.clone());
+        job.probe = Some(std::sync::Arc::new(move |_: &str| {
+            seen_in_probe.fetch_add(1, Relaxed);
+            cancel_in_probe.store(true, Relaxed);
+            Ok(ProbeInfo { format: "JPEG".into(), ..ProbeInfo::default() })
+        }));
+        let prepared = job.prepare(&unread_paths(400), &cancel);
+        // at most the files the (up to 8) readers had already started
+        assert!(seen.load(Relaxed) <= 8, "read {} files after cancel", seen.load(Relaxed));
+        assert!(prepared.items.is_empty());
+    }
 }
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/lightroom_job.rs b/crates/engine/src/lightroom_job.rs
index 33ed64a2..ffd6fc18 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/lightroom_job.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/lightroom_job.rs
@@ -129,6 +129,65 @@ pub struct LightroomCompletion {
 /// Alias used by hosts that call the result a commit.
 pub type LightroomCommit = LightroomCompletion;
 
+/// The step of preparing a Lightroom import that is under way ([`LightroomProgress::step`]).
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum LightroomStep {
+    /// Reading the catalog's tables.
+    Catalog,
+    /// Reading the photos the catalog names (headers, content hash): nearly all of the time.
+    ReadPhotos,
+    /// Readying the photos that were read for the catalog.
+    AddPhotos,
+}
+
+/// Progress of [`LightroomJob::prepare`] step by step, shared with the thread that runs it.
+#[derive(Clone, Default)]
+pub struct LightroomProgress {
+    /// Catalog tables to read and read so far ([`lightroom_catalog::read_with_progress`]).
+    pub catalog_total: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    pub catalog_done: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    read_total: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    read_done: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    add_total: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    add_done: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    /// The catalog is read: the photos are next.
+    photos: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+}
+
+impl LightroomProgress {
+    /// Reading the photos is nearly all of an import's time; the catalog and readying the photos
+    /// take the rest of [`LightroomProgress::fraction`].
+    const CATALOG_SHARE: f32 = 0.05;
+    const READ_SHARE: f32 = 0.85;
+
+    /// The step under way, with how much of it is done and its total (0 while not yet known).
+    pub fn step(&self) -> (LightroomStep, usize, usize) {
+        let load = |n: &AtomicUsize| n.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+        if !self.photos.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            return (LightroomStep::Catalog, load(&self.catalog_done), load(&self.catalog_total));
+        }
+        let (read_done, read_total) = (load(&self.read_done), load(&self.read_total));
+        let (add_done, add_total) = (load(&self.add_done), load(&self.add_total));
+        // nothing to read (every photo is already in the library) goes straight to adding
+        if read_done < read_total || (read_total == 0 && add_done == 0) {
+            (LightroomStep::ReadPhotos, read_done, read_total)
+        } else {
+            (LightroomStep::AddPhotos, add_done, add_total)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The whole preparation, 0..=1.
+    pub fn fraction(&self) -> f32 {
+        let (step, done, total) = self.step();
+        let part = if total == 0 { 0.0 } else { (done as f32 / total as f32).clamp(0.0, 1.0) };
+        match step {
+            LightroomStep::Catalog => Self::CATALOG_SHARE * part,
+            LightroomStep::ReadPhotos => Self::CATALOG_SHARE + Self::READ_SHARE * part,
+            LightroomStep::AddPhotos => Self::CATALOG_SHARE + Self::READ_SHARE + (1.0 - Self::CATALOG_SHARE - Self::READ_SHARE) * part,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// A Lightroom import detached from the owner thread.
 pub struct LightroomJob {
     path: PathBuf,
@@ -136,6 +195,7 @@ pub struct LightroomJob {
     import: ImportJob,
     token: LightroomLibraryToken,
     archive_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
+    progress: LightroomProgress,
 }
 
 impl LightroomJob {
@@ -145,33 +205,25 @@ impl LightroomJob {
         let opts = ImportOptions { mode: ImportMode::Add, on_deleted: crate::import::OnDeleted::Skip, ..ImportOptions::default() };
         let import = ImportJob::new(s, opts)?;
         let archive_dir = s.library.as_ref().filter(|library| library.on_disk).map(|library| library.dir.join("Interop"));
-        Ok(Self { path, update_existing, import, token: LightroomLibraryToken::capture(s), archive_dir })
+        let progress = LightroomProgress {
+            read_total: Arc::clone(&import.read_total),
+            read_done: Arc::clone(&import.read_done),
+            add_total: Arc::clone(&import.total),
+            add_done: Arc::clone(&import.done),
+            ..LightroomProgress::default()
+        };
+        Ok(Self { path, update_existing, import, token: LightroomLibraryToken::capture(s), archive_dir, progress })
     }
 
-    pub fn total(&self) -> usize {
-        self.import.total.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
-    }
-
-    pub fn done(&self) -> usize {
-        self.import.done.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
-    }
-
-    pub fn progress(&self) -> (usize, usize) {
-        (self.done(), self.total())
+    /// The job's progress, to watch from another thread while [`LightroomJob::prepare`] runs.
+    pub fn progress(&self) -> LightroomProgress {
+        self.progress.clone()
     }
 
     pub fn token(&self) -> &LightroomLibraryToken {
         &self.token
     }
 
-    pub fn total_atomic(&self) -> std::sync::Arc<AtomicUsize> {
-        std::sync::Arc::clone(&self.import.total)
-    }
-
-    pub fn done_atomic(&self) -> std::sync::Arc<AtomicUsize> {
-        std::sync::Arc::clone(&self.import.done)
-    }
-
     /// Finish an owner commit's deferred archive-index write on a worker.
     pub fn finish_archive(finalization: LightroomArchiveFinalization) -> crate::Result<()> {
         finalization.finish()
@@ -182,14 +234,12 @@ impl LightroomJob {
         if cancel.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
             return Err(error("Lightroom import cancelled"));
         }
-        self.import.total.store(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
-        self.import.done.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
-        let mut data = lightroom_catalog::read_with_progress(&self.path, cancel, &self.import.total, &self.import.done).map_err(error)?;
+        let mut data =
+            lightroom_catalog::read_with_progress(&self.path, cancel, &self.progress.catalog_total, &self.progress.catalog_done).map_err(error)?;
         lightroom_catalog::validate_for_job(&data).map_err(error)?;
         if cancel.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
             return Err(error("Lightroom import cancelled"));
         }
-        self.import.done.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
         let paths: Vec<String> = data
             .photos
             .iter()
@@ -203,6 +253,9 @@ impl LightroomJob {
             .filter(|photo| !Path::new(&photo.path).is_file())
             .map(|photo| normalize(&photo.path))
             .collect();
+        // the catalog step's last unit (validation, and looking for each original), then the photos
+        self.progress.catalog_done.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.progress.photos.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
         let normal = self.import.prepare(&paths, cancel);
         if cancel.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
             normal.rollback();
@@ -335,6 +388,48 @@ mod tests {
         }
     }
 
+    /// One count for the whole import read "14 of 24554" while the photos were read, then twice
+    /// the number of photos: each step has its own count, and the whole only moves forward.
+    #[test]
+    fn progress_names_each_step_with_its_own_count() {
+        let p = LightroomProgress::default();
+        let set = |n: &AtomicUsize, v: usize| n.store(v, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        assert_eq!(p.step(), (LightroomStep::Catalog, 0, 0));
+        assert_eq!(p.fraction(), 0.0);
+        set(&p.catalog_total, 14);
+        set(&p.catalog_done, 7);
+        assert_eq!(p.step(), (LightroomStep::Catalog, 7, 14));
+        let mut last = p.fraction();
+        assert!(last > 0.0);
+        let mut forward = |p: &LightroomProgress| {
+            let f = p.fraction();
+            assert!(f >= last && f <= 1.0, "{f} after {last}");
+            last = f;
+        };
+        set(&p.catalog_done, 14);
+        p.photos.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        assert_eq!(p.step(), (LightroomStep::ReadPhotos, 0, 0), "the photos are not counted yet");
+        forward(&p);
+        set(&p.add_total, 100);
+        set(&p.read_total, 100);
+        set(&p.read_done, 40);
+        assert_eq!(p.step(), (LightroomStep::ReadPhotos, 40, 100));
+        forward(&p);
+        set(&p.read_done, 100);
+        set(&p.add_done, 25);
+        assert_eq!(p.step(), (LightroomStep::AddPhotos, 25, 100));
+        forward(&p);
+        set(&p.add_done, 100);
+        forward(&p);
+        assert!(p.fraction() > 0.999);
+        // every photo already in the library: nothing to read
+        let known = LightroomProgress::default();
+        known.photos.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        set(&known.add_total, 5);
+        set(&known.add_done, 5);
+        assert_eq!(known.step(), (LightroomStep::AddPhotos, 5, 5));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn cancellation_before_commit_leaves_owner_catalog_unchanged() {
         let mut session = crate::Session::new();
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.json b/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.json
index a7101e61..b6716e83 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.json
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.json
@@ -1815,6 +1815,8 @@
   "Install the SAM 3 Model": "SAM-3-Modell installieren",
   "This build can't download the model yet. To install it by hand, put model.safetensors, vocab.json and merges.txt from Meta's facebook/sam3 in the folder above: Object and Describe work as soon as they are there.": "Diese Version kann das Modell noch nicht herunterladen. Zum Installieren von Hand lege model.safetensors, vocab.json und merges.txt aus Metas facebook/sam3 in den obigen Ordner: Objekt und Beschreiben funktionieren, sobald sie dort liegen.",
   "Open Log Folder": "Protokollordner öffnen",
+  "Reading photos…": "Fotos werden gelesen…",
+  "Adding photos…": "Fotos werden hinzugefügt…",
   "Back to this person": "Back to this person",
   "AI Denoise": "AI Denoise",
   "AI Denoise Model": "AI Denoise Model",
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.json b/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.json
index d564559f..a0e0e755 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.json
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.json
@@ -1749,6 +1749,8 @@
   "cached picture": "imagen en caché",
   "cached pictures": "imágenes en caché",
   "commercial use allowed": "uso comercial permitido",
+  "Reading photos…": "Leyendo fotos…",
+  "Adding photos…": "Añadiendo fotos…",
   "denoiseModel.accept": "denoiseModel.accept",
   "in use": "en uso",
   "installed": "instalado",
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.json b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.json
index 203211a6..1f6d4d14 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.json
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.json
@@ -1659,6 +1659,8 @@
   "Install the SAM 3 Model": "SAM 3モデルのインストール",
   "This build can't download the model yet. To install it by hand, put model.safetensors, vocab.json and merges.txt from Meta's facebook/sam3 in the folder above: Object and Describe work as soon as they are there.": "このビルドではまだモデルをダウンロードできません。手動でインストールするには、Meta の facebook/sam3 の model.safetensors、vocab.json、merges.txt を上のフォルダに置いてください。置いた時点で「オブジェクト」と「説明で選択」が使えるようになります。",
   "Open Log Folder": "ログフォルダーを開く",
+  "Reading photos…": "写真を確認中…",
+  "Adding photos…": "写真を追加中…",
   "Back to this person": "Back to this person",
   "AI Denoise": "AI Denoise",
   "AI Denoise Model": "AI Denoise Model",
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-br.json b/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-br.json
index 900ea9e4..c843383c 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-br.json
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-br.json
@@ -950,6 +950,8 @@
   "Open Library": "Abrir biblioteca",
   "Open Library…": "Abrir biblioteca…",
   "Open Log Folder": "Abrir pasta de logs",
+  "Reading photos…": "Lendo fotos…",
+  "Adding photos…": "Adicionando fotos…",
   "Open in": "Abrir em",
   "Open in Detail": "Abrir em Detalhe",
   "Open the place in OpenStreetMap": "Abrir o local no OpenStreetMap",
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ru.json b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ru.json
index 6886f621..3aeb4109 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ru.json
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ru.json
@@ -785,6 +785,8 @@
   "Open Library": "Открыть библиотеку",
   "Open Library…": "Открыть библиотеку…",
   "Open Log Folder": "Открыть папку журналов",
+  "Reading photos…": "Чтение фото…",
+  "Adding photos…": "Добавление фото…",
   "Open in": "Открыть в",
   "Open in Detail": "Открыть в режиме «Детализация»",
   "Open the place in OpenStreetMap": "Открыть место в OpenStreetMap",
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-hans.json b/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-hans.json
index 26173155..8d16fea2 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-hans.json
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-hans.json
@@ -1659,6 +1659,8 @@
   "Install the SAM 3 Model": "安装 SAM 3 模型",
   "This build can't download the model yet. To install it by hand, put model.safetensors, vocab.json and merges.txt from Meta's facebook/sam3 in the folder above: Object and Describe work as soon as they are there.": "此版本尚无法下载模型。如需手动安装，请将 Meta 的 facebook/sam3 中的 model.safetensors、vocab.json 和 merges.txt 放入上方的文件夹：放入后即可使用“对象”和“描述”。",
   "Open Log Folder": "打开日志文件夹",
+  "Reading photos…": "正在读取照片…",
+  "Adding photos…": "正在添加照片…",
   "Back to this person": "返回此人",
   "AI Denoise": "AI 降噪",
   "AI Denoise Model": "AI 降噪模型",
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-hant.json b/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-hant.json
index abeb97d4..42f28b07 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-hant.json
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-hant.json
@@ -1659,6 +1659,8 @@
   "Install the SAM 3 Model": "安裝 SAM 3 模型",
   "This build can't download the model yet. To install it by hand, put model.safetensors, vocab.json and merges.txt from Meta's facebook/sam3 in the folder above: Object and Describe work as soon as they are there.": "此版本尚無法下載模型。如需手動安裝，請將 Meta 的 facebook/sam3 中的 model.safetensors、vocab.json 和 merges.txt 放入上方的資料夾：放入後即可使用「物件」與「描述」。",
   "Open Log Folder": "開啟記錄資料夾",
+  "Reading photos…": "正在讀取照片…",
+  "Adding photos…": "正在新增照片…",
   "Back to this person": "Back to this person",
   "AI Denoise": "AI Denoise",
   "AI Denoise Model": "AI Denoise Model",
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/lightroom_import.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/lightroom_import.rs
index 815e9857..ef6b4943 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/lightroom_import.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/lightroom_import.rs
@@ -5,10 +5,11 @@
 //! data only on the owner thread, then finishes the archive index on a worker.
 
 use std::path::PathBuf;
-use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicUsize, Ordering};
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
 use std::sync::{Arc, mpsc};
 
 use lightcraft_engine::activity::{Cancel, TaskGuard};
+use lightcraft_engine::lightroom_job::{LightroomProgress, LightroomStep};
 use serde_json::{Value, json};
 
 use crate::LightcraftApp;
@@ -37,8 +38,7 @@ pub struct LightroomTask {
     kind: Kind,
     path: PathBuf,
     cancel: Arc<AtomicBool>,
-    total: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
-    done: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    progress: LightroomProgress,
     rx: mpsc::Receiver<Message>,
     phase: Phase,
     cancelled: bool,
@@ -52,8 +52,7 @@ impl LightroomTask {
         kind: Kind,
         path: PathBuf,
         cancel: Arc<AtomicBool>,
-        total: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
-        done: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+        progress: LightroomProgress,
         rx: mpsc::Receiver<Message>,
     ) -> Self {
         let label = match kind {
@@ -61,7 +60,7 @@ impl LightroomTask {
             Kind::Import => "Importing Lightroom catalog",
         };
         let guard = s.activity.start("lightroom", label, Cancel::Flag(cancel.clone()));
-        let task = Self { kind, path, cancel, total, done, rx, phase: Phase::Reading, cancelled: false, guard };
+        let task = Self { kind, path, cancel, progress, rx, phase: Phase::Reading, cancelled: false, guard };
         task.refresh();
         task
     }
@@ -73,16 +72,21 @@ impl LightroomTask {
         self.refresh();
     }
 
-    /// Bring the activity row up to date: the count while reading, then what is being done.
+    /// Bring the activity row up to date: while reading, the step under way and its own count
+    /// (reading the photos takes nearly all of an import, so it is counted, not waited out);
+    /// then what is being done.
     fn refresh(&self) {
-        let detail = match (self.phase, self.kind) {
-            (Phase::Reading, Kind::Inspect) => "",
-            (Phase::Reading, Kind::Import) => crate::i18n::tr("Reading Lightroom catalog…"),
-            (Phase::Committing, _) => crate::i18n::tr("Adding Lightroom photos…"),
-            (Phase::Finalizing, _) => crate::i18n::tr("Saving Lightroom import index…"),
+        let (step, done, total) = self.progress.step();
+        let detail = match (self.phase, self.kind, step) {
+            (Phase::Reading, Kind::Inspect, _) => "",
+            (Phase::Reading, Kind::Import, LightroomStep::Catalog) => crate::i18n::tr("Reading Lightroom catalog…"),
+            (Phase::Reading, Kind::Import, LightroomStep::ReadPhotos) => crate::i18n::tr("Reading photos…"),
+            (Phase::Reading, Kind::Import, LightroomStep::AddPhotos) => crate::i18n::tr("Adding photos…"),
+            (Phase::Committing, ..) => crate::i18n::tr("Adding Lightroom photos…"),
+            (Phase::Finalizing, ..) => crate::i18n::tr("Saving Lightroom import index…"),
         };
         if self.phase == Phase::Reading {
-            self.guard.progress(self.done.load(Ordering::Relaxed) as u64, self.total.load(Ordering::Relaxed) as u64);
+            self.guard.progress(done as u64, total as u64);
         } else {
             self.guard.progress(0, 0);
         }
@@ -100,13 +104,21 @@ impl LightroomTask {
             Phase::Committing => "committing",
             Phase::Finalizing => "finalizing",
         };
+        let (step, done, total) = self.progress.step();
+        let step = match step {
+            LightroomStep::Catalog => "catalog",
+            LightroomStep::ReadPhotos => "readPhotos",
+            LightroomStep::AddPhotos => "addPhotos",
+        };
         json!({
             "running": true,
             "kind": kind,
             "path": self.path,
             "phase": phase,
-            "done": self.done.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
-            "total": self.total.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            "step": step,
+            "done": done,
+            "total": total,
+            "fraction": self.progress.fraction(),
             "cancelled": self.cancelled || self.cancel.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
         })
     }
@@ -148,8 +160,7 @@ fn busy(app: &LightcraftApp) -> Result<(), String> {
 fn spawn_inspect(
     path: PathBuf,
     cancel: Arc<AtomicBool>,
-    total: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
-    done: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    progress: LightroomProgress,
     tx: mpsc::Sender<Message>,
     ctx: egui::Context,
 ) -> Result<(), String> {
@@ -157,7 +168,7 @@ fn spawn_inspect(
         .name("lc-lightroom-inspect".into())
         .spawn(move || {
             let result = lightcraft_engine::guard::catch("Lightroom inspect", || {
-                lightcraft_engine::lightroom_catalog::read_with_progress(&path, &cancel, &total, &done)
+                lightcraft_engine::lightroom_catalog::read_with_progress(&path, &cancel, &progress.catalog_total, &progress.catalog_done)
             })
             .and_then(|r| r.map(inspect_report));
             let _ = tx.send(Message::Inspected(result));
@@ -278,12 +289,11 @@ fn terminal(app: &mut LightcraftApp, ctx: &egui::Context, task: &LightroomTask,
 fn start_inspect(app: &mut LightcraftApp, path: PathBuf, ctx: &egui::Context) -> Result<Value, String> {
     busy(app)?;
     let cancel = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
-    let total = Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0));
-    let done = Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0));
+    let progress = LightroomProgress::default();
     let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel();
-    spawn_inspect(path.clone(), cancel.clone(), total.clone(), done.clone(), tx, ctx.clone())?;
+    spawn_inspect(path.clone(), cancel.clone(), progress.clone(), tx, ctx.clone())?;
     app.lightroom_last = None;
-    app.lightroom = Some(LightroomTask::new(&app.session, Kind::Inspect, path.clone(), cancel, total, done, rx));
+    app.lightroom = Some(LightroomTask::new(&app.session, Kind::Inspect, path.clone(), cancel, progress, rx));
     Ok(json!({"running": true, "kind": "inspect", "path": path}))
 }
 
@@ -292,12 +302,11 @@ fn start_import(app: &mut LightcraftApp, path: PathBuf, update_existing: bool, c
     busy(app)?;
     let job = lightcraft_engine::lightroom_job::LightroomJob::new(&mut app.session, path.clone(), update_existing).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
     let cancel = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
-    let total = job.total_atomic();
-    let done = job.done_atomic();
+    let progress = job.progress();
     let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel();
     spawn_prepare(job, cancel.clone(), tx, ctx.clone())?;
     app.lightroom_last = None;
-    app.lightroom = Some(LightroomTask::new(&app.session, Kind::Import, path.clone(), cancel, total, done, rx));
+    app.lightroom = Some(LightroomTask::new(&app.session, Kind::Import, path.clone(), cancel, progress, rx));
     Ok(json!({"running": true, "kind": "import", "path": path}))
 }
 
@@ -463,11 +472,11 @@ mod tests {
     use lightcraft_engine::lightroom_catalog::CatalogImport;
 
     /// A task as `start_import` makes it, fed by a channel the test holds instead of a worker.
-    fn fake_import(h: &crate::headless::Headless) -> (LightroomTask, mpsc::Sender<Message>, Arc<AtomicBool>, Arc<AtomicUsize>, Arc<AtomicUsize>) {
+    fn fake_import(h: &crate::headless::Headless) -> (LightroomTask, mpsc::Sender<Message>, Arc<AtomicBool>, LightroomProgress) {
         let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel();
-        let (cancel, total, done) = (Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)), Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0)), Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0)));
-        let task = LightroomTask::new(&h.app.session, Kind::Import, "fixture.lrcat".into(), cancel.clone(), total.clone(), done.clone(), rx);
-        (task, tx, cancel, total, done)
+        let (cancel, progress) = (Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)), LightroomProgress::default());
+        let task = LightroomTask::new(&h.app.session, Kind::Import, "fixture.lrcat".into(), cancel.clone(), progress.clone(), rx);
+        (task, tx, cancel, progress)
     }
 
     fn demo() -> crate::headless::Headless {
@@ -481,10 +490,10 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn lightroom_row_is_not_cancellable_while_committing() {
         let mut h = demo();
-        let (task, tx, cancel, total, done) = fake_import(&h);
+        let (task, tx, cancel, progress) = fake_import(&h);
         h.app.lightroom = Some(task);
-        total.store(10, Ordering::Relaxed);
-        done.store(3, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        progress.catalog_total.store(10, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        progress.catalog_done.store(3, Ordering::Relaxed);
         h.step();
         let rows = h.app.session.activity.list();
         assert_eq!(rows.len(), 1);
@@ -505,7 +514,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn lightroom_cancel_from_the_stack_stops_the_read() {
         let mut h = demo();
-        let (task, tx, cancel, _, _) = fake_import(&h);
+        let (task, tx, cancel, _) = fake_import(&h);
         h.app.lightroom = Some(task);
         h.step();
         let id = h.app.session.activity.list()[0].id;