I repeatedly get asked 'what programs I use to edit my images', 'why it takes 10 days to edit a session of images' and 'why I might charge the prices I do for images', so I thought now would be a good time to explain the process each and every image takes before it is fully edited. After a session I upload all RAW images to my hard drive and burn a backup disc. After this all RAW images are then brought into Lightroom (one of the best 'new' programs available, in my opinion) where they are viewed and narrowed down. Next I make minor adjustments with color balance, adjust brightness, contrast, and make any exposure adjustments. All images are then saved as a JPEG and brought into Photoshop, this is where the magic happens, where a ho-hum image can be turned into a work of art. I spend 2-15 minutes per image making any adjustments, removing stray hairs or blemishes, or creatively adjusting the lighting and color. This is also the program used to create the one of a kind digital pieces, these images can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour or more. I then save these images and burn yet another back-up disc of edited JPEGs. I then have to resize all images and place them into the private galleries. From start to finish (upload from camera to upload into online gallery) I may spend anywhere from 1 1/2 to 5 hours editing a full session and 2-3 times that spent working on a wedding. As much as I love being behind the camera and working with each and everyone of you, most of my time is spent in front of the computer (usually listening to some great tunes, sippin' on a diet cherry coke, and enjoying editing the images of your beautiful faces).
Here are a few examples of Before and After images:
