Photo Editing
The Artistry Behind the Transformation of Your Wedding Photos
Previous slide
Next slide
The evolution of photography has undergone a significant shift, moving from a traditional mechanical and chemical process to a predominantly digital realm. When we capture your images, they are saved in their original RAW format, often as .CR2 or .ARW files, directly from our cameras. This choice provides us with the utmost flexibility during post-production. However, it’s important to note that RAW images cannot be directly viewed; they necessitate conversion into the more commonly used JPEG format after adjustments. The brilliance of RAW lies in its capacity to preserve the widest dynamic range, spanning from the brightest to the darkest regions.
It’s worth noting that the RAW format consumes substantial storage space. A complete wedding, photographed in RAW, can occupy approximately 200-300 gigabytes before any conversions.
After the photography session, on the same day, we promptly transfer your session to a local hard drive, followed by swift upload to our production server configured with RAID 5 for redundancy and speed. This server seamlessly syncs with cloud storage via high-speed fiber optic connection, ensuring cloud upload begins immediately upon download. This meticulous backup strategy maintains three copies of your valuable images, with at least one stored off-site, adhering to the crucial 3-2-1 backup system.
Following the backup, we progress to the image selection phase, which typically takes about two hours.
To kickstart the image selection process, we employ specialized software designed for efficient management of large RAW files. This versatile tool not only groups duplicate photos but also enables rapid assessment, allowing us to meticulously handpick the finest versions. It also offers the capability to apply color tags, keywords, or star ratings. Our initial objective is to sift through your photos, eliminating blurry shots, unflattering expressions, or duplicates, to craft a coherent narrative encapsulating your wedding day.
Following this initial culling, we further refine the selection, removing images that don’t contribute to the storytelling, ensuring the final product is perfection.
We then assign keywords and tags, including descriptors like “details,” “bridal prep,” or “ceremony,” for efficient retrieval and navigation.
We synchronize timestamps and rationalize file naming conventions, creating a structured folder system for organized access.
This phase typically spans 3 to 6 hours, reflecting our commitment to delivering the best outcome for your wedding memories.
Color and tonal correction play a pivotal role in perfecting the final image. During this stage, every photo undergoes a meticulous evaluation encompassing color balance, contrast, exposure, white balance, black and white levels, highlights, shadows, and clarity.
We commence by fine-tuning exposure to optimize overall brightness. While our goal is precision in-camera, calibrated monitor adjustments are sometimes necessary for optimal results.
Addressing color temperature is a crucial step, particularly given the mixed lighting conditions at weddings. This adjustment harmonizes colors, bridging the gap between orange and blue hues and addressing tints that span from green to magenta, achieving neutral tones.
We proceed with individual adjustments for highlight and shadow details, ensuring information is preserved across the tonal spectrum. Challenges, such as high-contrast outdoor shots at noon, are expertly handled by modern software. Further refinements encompass contrast, clarity, and the black point to ensure accurate display.
Next, we focus on color adjustments, often fine-tuning Hue and saturation in the red and orange channels to faithfully render skin tones. Calibrated monitors, coupled with specialized hardware, guarantee precise color representation, aligning with the scene as captured.
The process concludes by adding sharpening and addressing noise reduction in low-light images, resulting in top-quality digital files ideal for exquisite prints.
The final step involves specialized software, refining skin tones via the orange channel, effectively separating texture from color to create smoother skin tones and superior color gradients.
This comprehensive process typically spans 8-12 hours, underscoring our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality images.
Once the color correction and image organization are finalized, the next crucial step involves transforming the images from their raw format into the widely compatible jpeg format. This conversion enables seamless printing and online display.
To achieve this conversion, we leverage the capabilities of our custom-built production computers, supported by specialized software. This process typically runs overnight, ensuring optimal results. We ensure that both full-resolution images and web-size copies are generated, streamlining the upload and download processes while conserving valuable client hard drive space.
Simultaneously, during this phase, we meticulously arrange your file structure and initiate backups to the cloud. This additional layer of protection safeguards your images, providing peace of mind.
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour
Crafting your album is at the heart of your wedding journey, preserving treasured memories for a lifetime.
Our album design team approaches this task with unwavering dedication. Your images are meticulously curated, woven into distinctive narratives. Using specialized album software, we create a design that elegantly unfolds the story of your entire wedding.
Next, we’ll arrange an appointment for your exclusive album reveal. Here, we’ll showcase the captivating stories of your day, finalize color choices, explore options, and make image editing decisions, ensuring every detail aligns with your vision before the album proceeds to print.
Total Time Investment: Approximately 7-9 Hours per Album
My Signature Edits elevate your images from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Unlike standard edits, they demand more time and expertise.
In the world of imagery, just as in filmmaking, different roles contribute to the final masterpiece. My background, honed at the Savannah College of Art and Design, guides the art direction of each Signature Edit.
These edits start by optimizing dynamic range, enhancing contrast, and refining composition. We create subject selections, remove distractions, and, if needed, adjust skies. We also fine-tune symmetry and apply precise color toning.
Signature Edits are tailor-made for wall art, capturing the essence of your wedding day in a single image, akin to a cinematic poster. Their impact is profound and unmistakable.
Time Investment: 2-4 Hours Per Image*
*Please note that these images are ideal for wall art purchases like metal, acrylic, or canvas prints. Each undergoes a meticulous, time-intensive process.”
I’m so excited to hear about your wedding, I will be with you every step of the way!
