Not every professional photographer is also a skilled editor.  But it’s an undeniable benefit if they’re both. A skilled photographer can obtain an image in-camera looking as close to perfect as possible.  A skilled editor can elevate that image to the next level.  They can also do magic. And by magic, I mean, they can erase unwanted blemishes, scratches and tattoos. They can remove fly away hairs, redness, jaundice and bruises. They can swap heads, smiles, or eyes that blinked too soon. They can add people in places, props, or positions they never actually were!

Editing is full of possibilities.  It can easily be overdone or poorly done.

When it comes to my personal editing style, my goal is for my clients to feel that everyone is looking their best in their final images. I prefer that any editing or enhancements be so natural looking that my clients don’t even know or notice what I’ve done- they just know they like it.

My goal is for you to fall in love with every single image.

Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, I don’t need that level of editing. I prefer ‘real’ and ‘authentic’ moments rather than a contrived one.”  I get that. In fact, that’s the very premise of lifestyle or documentary style photographers. Minimal posing- just capturing real life as it happens. There are some incredible photographers that do this- but that’s not the style I offer. Every pose I do is thoughtout ahead of time in order to best showcase each person in the frame. Ideally, every image is frame-worthy.

But how often do we find ourselves saying, “Oh my goodness, I love that photo! I just wish little johny was looking at the camera” or “This picture is so cute!  If only…

…little Ava was smiling.

…Lucy hadn’t scratched her face this morning.

…Joey would have sat a little closer to the baby.

…Sophia wouldn’t have spilled on her shirt.

etc. etc. etc.

These are all normal circumstances that happen to the best of us. I often joke that picture day is also accident-prone day. Someone is bound to show up with a new bruise, scratch or stain just in time for their portrait. BUT… this is where a skilled editor says “It’s not a problem”  A little photoshop magic and most of these issues can be easily resolved- and no one viewing the images will be the wiser.

As a Mom, I know how important it is to get that one photo of all your children smiling together. If I can make that happen for you, with or without a little photoshop magic, I will.

“An editor is like a painter. There is a magic in that.”

Editing is one of my favorite aspects of photography, yet not one that many non-photographers are familiar with. So, I figure it’s a great topic to discuss here. 🙂