Behind the Scenes: From Camera to Finished Photo at Sun Kissed Imagery
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As a photographer, the magic doesn’t stop after I press the shutter. In fact, the editing process is where your memories truly come to life. I take great care in transforming raw images into polished works of art. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain to walk you through how I edit—from camera to finished product.
1. The Culling Process: Finding the Gems
After a session, I upload all the photos to my computer and start culling. This process is all about sorting through hundreds of images to find the best ones. I look for:
Genuine smiles and expressions.
Great composition and lighting.
Sharp focus and clarity
This step is essential for narrowing down the collection to the strongest images that truly capture the essence of the session.
2. Lightroom: Where the Editing Begins
Once I’ve selected the keepers, I import them into Adobe Lightroom, my go-to editing software. Lightroom allows me to make broad adjustments while preserving the integrity of the photo.
Here’s what I typically do:
Apply Presets: I use custom presets to establish a consistent style for your photos—warm, sunlit tones that are true to the name Sun Kissed Imagery.
Adjust Exposure: I tweak brightness, shadows, and highlights to ensure the perfect balance of light.
Refine Colors: By adjusting white balance and saturation, I enhance skin tones and make colors pop without looking unnatural.
3. Fine-Tuning with Brushes and Masking
For the details, I turn to Lightroom’s powerful brushes and masking tools.
Brushes: I might brighten a face or add some contrast to a key detail like the eyes or props brought for the photoshoot.
Masking: This allows me to work on specific areas of the photo—like softening a background to make you stand out or enhancing the sky for a dreamy, golden-hour glow.
4. Detail Work in Photoshop (When Needed)
While Lightroom does most of the heavy lifting, I sometimes bring an image into Photoshop for detailed touch-ups.
Removing Distractions: Things like stray hairs, blemishes, or unwanted objects in the background can be cleaned up here.
Enhancing Elements: Adding subtle depth to shadows or refining edges for a polished look.
5. Reviewing and Exporting
After editing, I review the full gallery to ensure consistency. Every photo is carefully curated so that the collection feels cohesive and tells your story beautifully. Then, I export high-resolution files that are ready for you to print, share, and treasure for years.
6. Delivering Your Memories
Finally, I deliver your finished photos through an online gallery, making it easy for you to download and share. Hearing about the joy you get when you receive your images is the most rewarding part of my work!
Why Editing Matters
Editing isn’t about changing who you are—it’s about highlighting your beauty, your connections, and the story you’re telling. At Sun Kissed Imagery, I approach every edit with care to ensure your photos feel authentic and timeless.
If you ever want to see some of my editing from the beginning to end I do share some of my edits on my Tik Tok page. You can check it out here.
I hope this behind-the-scenes look gives you a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind every photo! If you’d like to book a session and see the process for yourself, reach out—I’d love to work with you!
