Post Processing is something I never talk about on my blog, but it is one of the most important key roles I use in my photography and my price list! Before we continue, notice the pictures below. The top image will say “Before” which means “SOOC” (Straight Out Of Camera) and the below images that say “After” are images that have been “Post Processed” (custom edited). I wanted to share some recent images to show you how I turn your images from bland to fabulous; so my clients get beautiful, custom, professional processed image.
If you have contacted me for a price list in the past you’ve noticed “Post Processing” as part of my fee. Post Processing images is actually what photographers spend most of their time doing. We, professional photographers, use post processing to enhance images (not fix), make them beautiful, creative and ready for print. It’s very time consuming and the main reason why your images can not be ready to view in 1 or 2 days. There is so much that goes into post processing from color correction, adding contrast, fixing skin tones, popping colors, enhancing eyes, getting rid of color casts, re touching skin; I can go on and on and on! It all depends on your lighting and what your “style” is when is comes to post processing your images. To me post processing is like coloring. If you gave every photographer a different coloring page your going to get something different. Same goes with images. As a client, when your looking for a photographer you should choose the photographer that fits your “style”. Yes, more than likely it’s going to be more expensive than Walmart or Jilly Jan down the road just starting out, but you get what you pay for. *Note*, I’m not knocking down any new photographers starting out because we all had to start some where, but please learn your camera settings and what they mean. Learn how to manipulate light. Practice. Practice. Practice. Learn how to use Photoshop to enhance your images, not to fix them! If your a photographer that has contacted me in the past you know I’m all about helping and answering any questions you may have. There is so much that goes into a photography business that a lot of people think the only thing we do is shoot for an hour or two and we’re done. No, that’s not the case and yes I wish Photoshop could be just as fast as Picasa, but it’s not and you will no NOT get the same results….even converting to a BNW (black and white) is not the same!
Before I share my “Before and After” pictures I would like to share the other steps I take from start to finish with working with a client.
Before the Shoot
1. Client emails me for information, then I send an invoice for the session fee to be paid and book the date
2. Send a Client Questionnaire, so I can get to know my clients personality and style. Also a What To Wear Guide for inspiration
3. Set up date and time. Discuss location and vision for the session…..this is where the fun starts! I love clients who want to be part of the planning! This is your session and I truly believe it should reflect your style mixed with my photography style.
During The Shoot
4. Travel up to 45 minutes (sometimes more, but for an extra fee) or set up studio space if the session is held in the studio.
5. Get props ready, loaded in the car if I’m traveling or bring them out in the studio space.
6. Meet with family and take a few minutes to get to know everyone. I usually spend an 1-1.5 hours with children, Seniors, Couples, families, etc and up to 3 hours (sometimes more) for newborn sessions.
7. Load props back in the car or put them where they belong in the studio….whewww that’s a job itself!
After The Shoot
8, Download images from computer into my organization program
9, Back up images on a hard drive
10. Select around 30-50 of my favorite images from about 350-400 images (depending on session)
11. Begin the post processing. I narrow down between 20-30 images of my absolute favorite and begin the custom post processing. Sometimes an image can take 3-10 min and sometimes 30 min. Just depends on what I want done to the image and how creative I want to get with pulling out some photoshopping tricks; plus I do have kids, lol!
12. Create online gallery, special link and password for clients private online gallery; then upload the processed images for clients to view.
13. Help clients with any ordering questions they may have
14. Send invoice for clients order to make payment
15. Place order for prints or any other specialty products (frames, albums, etc) from a lab that knows how to handle professional quality images
16. Receive orders in the mail, packaging and drive to the post office to mail off to clients!
Whewww……I wore myself out typing all that, lol! I say I spend anywhere between 12-15 hours per client (give or take depending on session and order). I could rush through my images and do a basic process, but that’s not my style. My clients hire Amanda Johnson Photography for the style of images they see online. See the hour or so you see me or your professional photographer behind the camera taking pictures is not all they do! Trust me it takes quite a bit longer, but in the end the wait is so worth it!
Now on to the “Before and After” images!
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