What Must The Photographer do After Your Photo Session?

 You finally completed your photo session, and the experience exceeded your expectations. The photographer was wonderful and the images you saw on the back of their camera or display monitor were great. Now the dreading waiting game begins. Have you ever wondered what the photographer must do to prepare your final images? There is a lot that goes into finalizing your images before they are delivered; much the same way Thanksgiving dinner takes a lot of preparations before it is placed on the dinner table. This is a basic peek into the process many photographers use to deliver your images in a timely and proficient manner. While the workflow of your photographer may differ, this is merely a reference to the strenuous postproduction process.

 What Good Are Your Files if They Are Loss?

 We enter the world of “backup, backup, backup!” No, I did not make a syntax error. But the most reliable and efficient photographers will have a minimum of three copies of your images. The 3-2-1 backup strategy consists of having at least three copies of your data, two stored locally (on-site) but on different media devices such as their computer or laptop and the second on an external hard drive or similar device. The third copy will be stored (off-site) on the cloud or other similar storage apparatus.

 The 3-2-1 Backup Strategy ensures if one of these devices were to fail or become corrupt, or God forbid, there is a fire or someone steals the photographer’s gear, there is at least one copy of your files. Most photographers take photo storage seriously, and they take all the necessary precautions just in case the unthinkable happens.

Importing Your Images

 Most photographers rely on programs such as Lightroom, Capture One, and AfterShot Pro 3 to import your images from the camera’s memory card. This software provides an interface that allows the photographer to organize, sort, and edit your images in their personal style. The importing of images will take place at the time of the photoshoot if the photographer is shooting tethered. Otherwise, the photographer will have to import the images when they get back to their studio.

 Tethered photography is the process of tethering the camera to a computer, using a cable, so that the photographer can see the photos as they are taken. This is a terrific way to ensure that the shots are perfect, and it will allow the photographer and the client to make any necessary adjustments needed and eliminate the need to retake the photo.

 Cull Your Images!

 Years ago, we would have taken our rolls of film to the local drug store and have their photo department develop them. I remember buying 24 to 36 exposure disposable cameras. If we were lucky, all our images would come out. Today the average wedding photographer will deliver on average 50 -100 photos per hour of wedding day coverage and a portrait photographer you can expect 70 -100 according to petapixel.com . But the number of images taken can easily exceed 1,000 - 2,000 for wedding photography and a few hundred for a long portrait session.

 Obviously, every one of those images are not going to be keepers. One of the first things that must be done is to cull the images. Culling is to select from a large quantity, in other words, deleting the missed focused, closed eye, or the tree in the background that appears to be protruding from your head. When the culling is completed, then the process of narrowing down and selecting the images for editing begins. Some photographers include the client in this process, while others make the selections and present to the client what the photographer considers to be the best images. I personally would like to include my clients in this process, because I work for them, unless they give me complete autonomy over the selection process.

Process Your Images!

 Processing your images is the process of editing them in a style that is unique to the photographer. This includes color grading, removing blemishes, skin retouching, exposure, shadows, and highlights adjustments, and a plethora of other adjustments. Programs including Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One, and AfterShot Pro 3 are facilitators of the development process. With the advancement of technology, the editing process is not immune. Artificial intelligence has made its way into photography with software that analyzes a photographer's editing style and with a few clicks of the button, the A.I. renders an edited image. The photographer still can adjust the image if they are not satisfied with the rendering.

 The time it takes to edit an image can vary tremendously. According to clickthephoto.com,” If we take into consideration the complexity and other adjustments that are required for doing basic portrait editing, then the total amount of time required is around 25-30 minutes per photo.” This is one of the reasons A.I. is becoming a popular option. Most photographers look for ways to reduce the time they spend in post-production, and as the saying goes, “Time is money.” Two other tools available to streamline the editing process are presets and outsourcing. Presets are a group of saved photo-editing settings that transform your image with just a click of the preset. Outsourcing is sourcing your images to a photo editor that charge a fee per image. If the photographer has a large volume of work, they are more likely to outsource some of their editing. But most photographers like to maintain creative control over their work, and it is for this reason, they continue to edit their own work.

Exporting Your Images

 There are several options and values the photographers must consider before your images are exported. This depends on how and where they will be used. If they are being exported for printing, they will require a high-resolution export. If they are being exported for use on the web or social media including Instagram, Facebook, or the photographer’s website, the export value will differ depending on how and where it will be used. The internet does not require High Resolution files because most platform compress large files resulting in a loss of image quality. But when it comes to printing, especially large prints, you will want high resolution files that will maintain the excellent details within the shadows. In my studio, I have three 24”x 36” portraits with amazing details and the colors rendering are amazing!

Delivery of Your Images

 This is the day you have been waiting for. You are finally notified that your images are ready. This is another area where there are many options. Whether your photographer delivers your images for viewing through one of the many online galleries, or they have you come to their studio for a slide show presentation. This is the time you get to select which photos you want to have printed, made into a photo album, or a canvas print. Do not feel overwhelmed if your photographer offers a lot of various products. This is one of the many reasons you hired a professional photographer. Their expertise and knowledge are beneficial to help you put together a package exclusively for you.

The Moment You Have Been Waiting For.

 You have made your selections, and today is the day that you finally get to place your photo album on the coffee table and display your family portrait above the fireplace. You have preserved and memorialized your family in this unique way. Your family legacy has been captured in this portrait and for the generations that come after you. This includes your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They will be able to look into your eyes and see your soul.

What must a photographer do after your photo session? “We must preserve and tell your story through the art of photography.”