What Happens After the Photoshoot?
The Editing Process
After our photoshoot, it’s time for the real work to begin!
(What do you mean, Caitlin? Hanging out in a park with adorable doggos and winning them over with treats, cuddles and play isn’t “real work”?! You got me 😉)
Once I’m back at the office, with our shoot downloaded and backed up, the images go through three stages of editing.
The “raw” files captured on camera are kinda like flour, eggs and milk. The potential is there, but you need a recipe and an oven to turn them into cake.
This process is done using a program called Photomechanic
PHASE ONE - CURATION:
Each raw file is inspected, any duds or duplicates are deleted and the rest is curated into the final "gallery" of 50-ish photographs that clients see at their online Session Reveal.
We use Adobe Lightroom for this phase of editing
PHASE TWO - THE CREATIVE EDIT:
Next I create an edit profile, customised to the pets' colouring and the natural lighting at the shoot. This is essentially the recipe and it’s unique to each photoshoot. By using the right tools and techniques, I can bring out the beautiful texture and detail in the pet’s fur (particularly important when I’m photographing animals with predominantly white or black fur).
My retoucher Amanda then uses this profile to ensure that there is a consistent look & style with each photo in the gallery.
Now we're ready for the client’s Session Reveal. This usually ends up being everyone's favourite part of the whole experience! First we watch a video slideshow, then together we go through the gallery. My job is to help my clients design the best way to display their photographs for their personal style, space, home and budget.
Adobe Photoshop is used for the final phase of editing
PHASE THREE - DETAIL RETOUCHING:
After the Session Reveal, Amanda and I complete the final detail retouching for all the ordered images - this is done at a pixel level! Leashes disappear, imperfections are removed, backgrounds get cleaned up and albums are designed. Once everything is perfect, I send proofs off to my client so they can okay it all before it gets whisked off to the printing lab.