Your wedding photos are one of the most important parts of your wedding. Every photographer has their style not only in shooting your photos but also when the post-work and editings are done. In today’s digital world almost everything is possible but do you want an over-edited photo from your wedding? I am talking about editorial editing or changing features like larger lips, slimmer body, changing eye color, etc. Photo editing styles keep changing and what today is trendy might be outdated in a year. I strongly believe that wedding photos need to be timeless and while it is fun to have some trendy edited photos in the collection your photographer should be providing you with a natural-looking “as” shot timeless duplicate.
Wedding photography editing styles- What’s to know about it?
Trendy photography and editing styles
The saying: “an unedited photo is a boring photo” has some truth in it but only to a certain point. As professional photographers in the wedding industry, we often are challenged with difficult light situations, weather, uncontrollable circumstances like sweat spots, sunburns, rain, no flash allowed in churches, and many more. Wedding photography can also be very fast paste and we have to be ready to make sure we don’t miss those important shots like the ring exchange and first kiss as a married couple. While good preparation is key, a quick cloud in the sky can make a previously perfect exposed photo too dark and there may be no time to adjust it. For those situations, photo editing is a lifesaver. Another point is creativity. Photography is an art form like painting. With creative editing, your photographer is perfecting the vision he or she had when they shot the photo. It is somewhat a signature art.
The art of editing photos
Photography editing styles are versatile and often also dependent on what in the end the photo will be used for. Editorial photography including fashion, magazines, landscapes, and nature photography, food, items, cars, buildings, animals, and art photography are post edited with their intended use and the photographer’s vision. Your wedding photos can be a mix of editing styles but foremost should reflect you, how you truly are. Lifestyle wedding photography is an approach to leave photos in their natural state, but this doesn’t mean they are unedited.
So what do you mean by this exactly? I am referring to altering facial features, which is a common practice in editorials. You have seen those magazine shots from celebrities that always look like they are 15 years younger and have no imperfections. While we all have some insecurities, wedding photos should be true to you and your personality. An example of a bridal portrait edited with facial alterations you find below. While it can be fun to have a glamour shot of your wedding this should be the exception when editing your wedding photos. You are beautiful as you are.
Wedding photo editing styles and trends
When looking through Pinterest and Instagram couples get constantly bombarded with the newest trends. For quite some time very light bright almost washed out and vintage style filters have been seen all over the internet followed now by a darker moody and matt photo editing trend. First and foremost your wedding photos should be timeless and reflect your special moments. So you feel comfortable and happy sharing them with the next generations.
Most photographers are having their signature style but that doesn’t mean they can not alter a photo to a specific style requested. Do they want to do that? Probably not. So it is best to select a photographer that fits your vision and taste right from the get-go.
The wedding location plays a role
What creative photo editing style fits best is often also dependent on location. If your wedding is planned in the forest or mountains, photos can look very beautiful when edited in a darker and moody style. This wouldn’t necessarily apply if you are planning a bright sunny beach wedding. Always keep in mind that some editing styles will depend on the chosen location and not everything will fit the bill. I find it important to provide my clients with both images, the original natural shot, and creatively edited photos including black and white images. Sometimes we shoot a photo with specific editing already in mind. In that case, the original photo might only serve us like a blank canvas to be painted on and the original photo would therefore be of no use.
A few examples of the same photos with different editing styles are below. So what’s your favorite? We have created a poll and would love to see what you think and the style you would choose for your own wedding photos.
The Natural as shot
Photography style with a focus to be true to reality. Some light or exposure adjustments or color corrections if needed but otherwise left as shot.
The Dark and Moody
Photography editing style that is dark with a bit grainy to get that moody look.
The Soft and Bright
Photography editing style that is soft and bright
The Matt and Modern
Photography editing style natural colors with matt appearance.
The Moody Blue
Photography editing style that is dark and cool with blue hues.
So what should I look for when selecting my wedding photographer?
Make your vision clear and what you will expect from your wedding photos. Photographers’ portfolios are a great start to browse. But you will always get a better idea if full photography blog posts of weddings can be viewed. This way you see a more full picture of the work and shooting style.
When booking your wedding photographer also make sure that he or she will be photographing your wedding and not sending somebody else. You have to feel 100% comfortable with your photographer to get the best results. The more natural and at ease you are in front of the camera and with the person behind it, the better!
I don’t need creatively edited photos, I can do that myself
With thousands of editing programs and filters available all over the place, certainly you can digitally enhance your photos yourself. So why not do it yourself? If you receive digitally enhanced or creatively edited photos from your professional photographer they are edited from the raw files for the best quality possible. You, as a client usually will not have access to the raw files. I have photographed several weddings where the bride or groom were professional photographers themselves. Certainly, they could edit their wedding photos, but the reason they are booking you is because of your photography style. They understand creative freedom and that it is a no-no to give out raw files to clients. They most likely wouldn’t do that either. Fazit is to let your wedding photographer do the work.
What’s the difference between basic and creative editing?
Some photographers will give their couples editing options when selecting a photo package. If you book professional photography your photos should always be post-worked with at a minimum of basic editing. You find some photographers giving out photos directly out of the camera completely unedited. This is unprofessional and should be avoided. For second marriages and vow renewals, couples may choose something more simple so the minimum I offer is basic editing on smaller 1-hour photo packages. Basic editing includes usually light adjustments, color corrections, print adjustments, and similar post-processing. Creative editing is the post-processing of your images with basic and creative filters and adjustments. It may also include removing unwanted items or persons in the background. But usually, any time-consuming extra photo adjustments that are unforeseen and not in the control of the photographer will cost extra. Some examples that are labor-intensive to fix are Bikini lines, sunburns, sweat spots, unwanted backgrounds, etc.
Why is wedding photography more expensive?
A very valid question. Why do I have to pay so much more for wedding photography?
Wedding photography is one of the most difficult photography to take on. Why? It is a fast pace with a lot of responsibility, unforeseen things, and pressure. Lots and lots of things can happen at a wedding from weather and difficult light situations to makeup mishaps. A wedding photographer has to be a quick thinker and always be ready to take on what is given. No wonder that many professional photographers are keeping their hands off weddings.
Photographing weddings can be stressful
Just look at it like this: You as a customer will have your expectations and we as wedding photographers have to give 110% to meet or exceed them. No matter what the circumstances and challenges are. Sure most of us have photographed hundreds of weddings but keep in mind every couple and wedding is different and special in their way. Not every pose or idea will work with everybody, and there is also trial and error when creativity is flowing. Some shots are perfectly planned in your mind, but end up just not usable. But this is the price you pay for getting wedding photos beyond the standard. But most important is that we have only one shot of getting it perfect. We just don’t get that second chance because the weather or lighting was not perfect like on model and magazine shots. That is a ton of responsibility to carry on your shoulders.
Photo editing can take days
The editing of wedding photos is also more time-consuming because we often have more adjustments to do than with an already perfect exposed studio photo. We are often sorting through hundreds of photos and for a full day wedding photography session, you can add three to four more days of post-processing work. There are several other reasons why you pay more for your wedding photos but the majority of reasons I have explained to you.
I hope I could give some suggestions and advice when booking your wedding photographer. If you like to see some of my work please check out my photography website under https://nautilusstudio.com or read more about my photography that is included in our wedding packages here.
BABETTE HILL – LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS
