As cameras evolve to unprecedented quality and automatic settings to create beautiful imagery, how can we wedding photographers position our artistry to stand out among the rest? When it comes to wedding photography, an eye for intricate detail make all the difference.
A luxury edit takes your photos to the next level, creating a flawless, magazine-worthy result that still feels timeless.
A luxury edit involves meticulously refining each image to ensure it feels not only beautiful but also polished and pristine. It’s about removing distractions that can take away from the elegance of the scene—things like exit signs, fire pulls, electrical outlets, or anything else that might be out of place or takes attention away from the subject. These elements are often unavoidable in real-life settings, but with a luxury edit, they’re seamlessly removed, creating a clean, distraction-free background.
Here’s a list of what I edit most during all of my photo sessions and I highly recommend incorporating this into your workflow:
Standard Edits:
- Color correction, composition, cropping
- Skin blemishes and bruises
Luxury Edits:
- Bra straps, Bra lines or shapewear visibility
- Makeup on men’s shoulders, lint and pet hair on black suits
- Removing exit signs
- Fire pulls/alarms, extinguishers, sprinklers on ceilings
- Electrical outlets and switches
- Microphone cords, cables
- Wall blemishes, scuffs, stains
- Trash cans or clutter
- Stray signage or labels
- Distracting reflections in mirrors/windows
- Unwanted people in backgrounds who aren’t affiliated with the wedding/servers
- Objects that don’t add to the story (water bottles, bags, coats)
- Wrinkled fabric smoothing on outfits and reception linens
- Phones, keys and wallets in pockets
- Light stands or equipment removal
- Floor scuffs or stains
- Straightening invitation flat lays, removing smudges on paper goods
- Speakers from sound systems if they distract from the story of the day
- Cobwebs and smudges on windows and corners
- Other photographers/videographers vendors who aren’t adding to the image
This level of editing goes beyond simple retouching. It’s about enhancing colors, correcting lighting, and ensuring the overall tone of the image complements the mood of the day. It’s not about altering reality; rather, it’s about refining the scene to make it feel as perfect as the moment itself.
In short, a luxury edit transforms your wedding photos into works of art, this kind of editing is all about making your memories look as spectacular as they felt.
It’s been a few years since I explained my editing process, but here are some other blog posts I’ve written on the subject.
