Wedding Photography | Why The Edit Is Important

You have a lot to think about, and many photographers may look quite similar on the surface. Meeting different ones to see if they feel right takes time out of your week, and each minute you have to do a job, or unwind, before the big day is precious.

But believe me – they are minutes you’ll be glad you spent. It’s so important to feel confident that you made the right decision. And just as you wouldn’t buy a dress without trying it on, you shouldn’t settle on a wedding photographer without getting a feel for how they work.

It’s not just a question of what style of wedding photography, either. Exactly what a photographer offers as part of the basic price can vary wildly. It’s only when you start asking photographers what’s included that you realise how different their services can be. For instance, how many images are included and how long they stay for on the day, can be pretty big deal breakers. And if you don’t ask, you won’t know till it’s too late to change your mind.

What’s more, a lot of the biggest value in a wedding photographer comes after the big day is over. While you’re on your honeymoon, a good photographer will be working away in the edit suite, poring over what could be thousands of photos to select the best and process them to look their very best.

While the idea of saving money by just having your wedding photographer hand you a load of raw images may sound appealing, you shouldn’t underestimate the value of that part of the process. When I edit a couple’s photos, I’m not just picking the best. I’m telling a story. Sometimes I don’t quite know what that story will be until I sit down and it gradually becomes clear. Putting that decisive stamp on the story of your wedding – celebrating what made it unique – is a hugely important component.

Raw expression is important in any creative process. But the edit is where creation gives way to refinement.

Less is more when it comes to you looking through everything too. It may feel like the more photos the better, but in reality you don’t want to be sifting through 300 very similar images. You want a set of images that has been selected to give you the best possible balance every time you go through. To take you on a journey.

So make sure you get a sense of your wedding photographer’s process after they leave your wedding. They should be able to give you a very detailed description of how they take that magic and make it as powerful as possible. If they can’t you may want to look elsewhere.

You should trust your wedding photographer. You should trust them with documenting your day, with being with you in an intimate setting, possibly getting changed. Trust them to be respectful and work hard on the day. So make sure you trust them to work hard after your day on your images too. Their eye for what will tell your story has been honed over years.

Personally, I love the editing process. All your photos are edited by me. Nothing is outsourced to a third-party company – I personally edit every image myself. For me it’s a really exciting process and a core part of the service I deliver to you. I want to give you the complete finished product, images that you’ll love and cherish forever. Whether you choose to buy a wedding album from me or not, I want you to love and print your photos! There’s something absolutely special about holding and looking at printed photos.

I’ve tried to show how that works here, by demonstrating the way that images come to life when processed and how much is added by finding the story. If you have any questions about this, or specifically what I’ll be providing as part of my service for your wedding, just remember – all you have to do is ask!