As a resource for fellow wedding photographers, I have put together an editing process that will help make your best images shine, and give you the ability to edit for the strongest portfolio possible.
This was a technique taught to me by a great photojournalism professor, and always works the best.
Basic Edits Every wedding photographer goes through each wedding to select a basic set of images for the client, and uses an editing program on their computer to narrow down selects.
I personally use Camerabit's Photo Mechanic to do this, as it is a very speedy program, but Aperture and Lightroom and even Adobe Bridge can work as well.
In our experience, this basic edit can run anywhere from 400 to 800 images, depending on the size and length of the wedding.
If it is one of your best, you can usually edit down to a solid 30-40 images that give a flow of your wedding day.
This would be perfect if you are trying to show off an entire wedding, but for portfolio purposes, you want to try and narrow down to your very best.
This means maybe five to ten images at the most from a wedding.
You should do this for each individual wedding before gathering all the images together.
Once you have gathered your super selects, it is time to make contact sheets.
I believe Photoshop CS4 may still have a contact sheet maker somewhere, but it is very easy to do in Bridge.
Place your images in a folder, and then open this folder in Bridge.
From there click the tab 'Output' at the top right of the window, and you will have the option to create a PDF or web gallery.
Select the number of images you would like on each page, then make PDF's and print them out.
Now, I can see you starting to shake as you realize this won't be done on a computer, but don't worry, it will be ok.
You will be amazed at how much better you see images when they are all laid out in front of you.
Once everything is printed, cut them out, and get ready to go.
Setting Up Space When this part of the editing is ready to begin, my living room turns into a temporary editing studio.
Once all of the images are set out they cover the coffee table, two sofas, and the floor.
So make sure to clear out a space to work.
Also, if you have animals, it would be best to have them hang out somewhere else.
Our pugs decided to help edit and made quite a mess of images on the floor, so be mindful.
In placing images, I start out by placing the images according to the wedding they are in, just so that I make sure I have all of my favorites from each wedding present.
Get Down To Business During the edit, you need to make sure the images are not merely ones you like, but images that are the most beautiful and emotionally compelling, and will impact your brides on an emotional level.
This is where things get tough, and I become extremely nitpicky.
From here I take the images and separate them into groups of important stages from the wedding.
I will go through and look for the absolute best of everything: images of the bride and groom preparing for the walk down the aisle; the kiss; the couple's portraits; the prettiest venues and cakes; the partying and of course the grand exit.
With so many beautiful moments to choose from this process can take hours to complete.
Finally I will narrow it down to under 30 images.
The images are arranged and rearranged again and again until I find the perfect flow of imagery.
Once I have reached a flow (this is where it gets really high tech), I tape all of my thumbnails together and create a photo strip.
It may not sound super cool, but it keeps the edit you have worked on for hours fully intact, and gives you a reference point the next time you are editing your portfolio.
Ideally, you should take a serious look at your portfolio about every six months or so and see if anything needs to be tweaked.
It is my hope that this editing process will help you see your work a bit differently, and help develop you as a wedding photographer.
Plus, it is nice to get your head out of your screen every once in a while!
This was a technique taught to me by a great photojournalism professor, and always works the best.
Basic Edits Every wedding photographer goes through each wedding to select a basic set of images for the client, and uses an editing program on their computer to narrow down selects.
I personally use Camerabit's Photo Mechanic to do this, as it is a very speedy program, but Aperture and Lightroom and even Adobe Bridge can work as well.
In our experience, this basic edit can run anywhere from 400 to 800 images, depending on the size and length of the wedding.
If it is one of your best, you can usually edit down to a solid 30-40 images that give a flow of your wedding day.
This would be perfect if you are trying to show off an entire wedding, but for portfolio purposes, you want to try and narrow down to your very best.
This means maybe five to ten images at the most from a wedding.
You should do this for each individual wedding before gathering all the images together.
Once you have gathered your super selects, it is time to make contact sheets.
I believe Photoshop CS4 may still have a contact sheet maker somewhere, but it is very easy to do in Bridge.
Place your images in a folder, and then open this folder in Bridge.
From there click the tab 'Output' at the top right of the window, and you will have the option to create a PDF or web gallery.
Select the number of images you would like on each page, then make PDF's and print them out.
Now, I can see you starting to shake as you realize this won't be done on a computer, but don't worry, it will be ok.
You will be amazed at how much better you see images when they are all laid out in front of you.
Once everything is printed, cut them out, and get ready to go.
Setting Up Space When this part of the editing is ready to begin, my living room turns into a temporary editing studio.
Once all of the images are set out they cover the coffee table, two sofas, and the floor.
So make sure to clear out a space to work.
Also, if you have animals, it would be best to have them hang out somewhere else.
Our pugs decided to help edit and made quite a mess of images on the floor, so be mindful.
In placing images, I start out by placing the images according to the wedding they are in, just so that I make sure I have all of my favorites from each wedding present.
Get Down To Business During the edit, you need to make sure the images are not merely ones you like, but images that are the most beautiful and emotionally compelling, and will impact your brides on an emotional level.
This is where things get tough, and I become extremely nitpicky.
From here I take the images and separate them into groups of important stages from the wedding.
I will go through and look for the absolute best of everything: images of the bride and groom preparing for the walk down the aisle; the kiss; the couple's portraits; the prettiest venues and cakes; the partying and of course the grand exit.
With so many beautiful moments to choose from this process can take hours to complete.
Finally I will narrow it down to under 30 images.
The images are arranged and rearranged again and again until I find the perfect flow of imagery.
Once I have reached a flow (this is where it gets really high tech), I tape all of my thumbnails together and create a photo strip.
It may not sound super cool, but it keeps the edit you have worked on for hours fully intact, and gives you a reference point the next time you are editing your portfolio.
Ideally, you should take a serious look at your portfolio about every six months or so and see if anything needs to be tweaked.
It is my hope that this editing process will help you see your work a bit differently, and help develop you as a wedding photographer.
Plus, it is nice to get your head out of your screen every once in a while!