Archives for 15 Nov,2022

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Photo Culling Services: Outsource To ShootDotEdit

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Are you feeling overwhelmed with your photo culling workflow? If so, it may be time to outsource it to professionals (like us)! Culling wedding photos is probably not your favorite part of the post-processing workflow. Culling photos requires a lot of precision and can become time-consuming and tiring. However, it’s an essential part of post-production and something that saves you a lot of time. After all, nobody wishes to see a poorly aligned photograph that doesn’t go with the story. At ShootDotEdit, we offer photo culling services to help take some of the burden off you. Our team of experts will review each and every image carefully and select the right ones to keep. In today’s blog, we will take you through our image culling service and why you should outsource us!

What Is Photo Culling?

Before we jump into our image culling service, let’s first understand what does culling mean in photography. Culling is the process of reviewing and selecting photographs from a larger group of images. It is an important step in post-processing and one that can save you a lot of time. By carefully reviewing each image and selecting only the best ones, you can avoid the time-consuming task of editing bad photographs. There are a few things to keep in mind while culling photos:

  • Take time to review: Take your time to review each image carefully. 
  • Composition: Ask yourself if the photograph is well-composed and tells a story. 
  • Technical aspect: Consider the technical aspects of the image, such as exposure, white balance, and focus.
  • Select the best: Select only the best photos that you would be proud to show your clients.

Read More: A Guide To Wedding Photography Post-Processing Workflow

Why Is Culling Photos Necessary?

Now that we know what does culling photos mean, let’s take a look at why it is important to do so. Here are a few reasons why culling photos is necessary:

1. Weed Out Duplicates

infographic stating culling photos enables you to offer only the best images to your clients

You may often find yourself shooting the same wedding pose multiple times to get the perfect shot. This results in a lot of duplicate images that look almost identical. However, culling helps you select only the best images or a single image to be edited from each set of duplicates. 

2. Provide High-Quality Pictures

When you have to edit multiple photos, it is easy to miss out on details or make mistakes. However, by editing only the best images, you can avoid this problem and produce high-quality edited photographs.

3. Saves Time

infographic stating by carefully selecting only the best images, you save a lot of time in the editing process

Culling photos is an important part of the editing process. It enables you to focus on editing only the best images and saves you a lot of time. Editing hundreds of wedding photographs can be extremely tiring, and that can lead to wedding photography burnout. However, by carefully selecting only the best images, you can avoid this problem. 

4. Better Results

By culling photos, you can produce better results in the editing process. This is because you are only focusing on a few images that are worthy of being edited. As a result, you can put all your attention into making these photographs perfect.

5. Improve Client Experience

One of the main reasons to cull photos is to improve client experience. By showing clients your polished work, they are more likely to be happy with your service. On the other hand, if you show them a large number of images, they may get overwhelmed and confused. 

These are just a few reasons why culling photos is imperative. If you’re still not convinced, let’s take a look at ShootDotEdit’s photo culling services and see how it can help you!

Related Read: Nail The Client Experience: Featuring Orlando Oliveira

A Quick Overview Of ShootDotEdit’s Photo Culling Services

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Do you dread going through every photo after a long day of shooting? This is where our photo culling services can help you! At ShootDotEdit, we call our culling services Flex Cull as the number of images kept for color and style can flex depending on the day and type of event. So, if you’re interested in outsourcing your work, then check our photo culling editing service and why we could be the best for you: 

1. Methodically Scrutinize Each Preview

Our team of experts will review each image carefully and select only the best ones. This will save a lot of time in the editing process and helps deliver high-quality photographs. When we cull your events, we’re going to be looking to remove four things: 

  • Blinks
  • Blurs
  • Duplicates
  • Distortions 

2. Rough Editing

infographic stating rough editing helps us understand your preferred style and choice

Our culling services offer clients the option of Rough Editing. This means that you can tell us how many images you would like us to rough edit, and we will move forward accordingly with the scalpel. It also allows us to get feedback on the direction of an edit before we start editing the entire event.  

3. Lightroom: Our #1 Choice

We use Adobe Lightroom as our primary photo culling software. Lightroom is a powerful tool that is widely used by wedding photographers and other photo editing businesses alike. This is because culling photos in Lightroom provides features like flagging, rating, and color systems that make it easy to cull photos quickly. 

Suggested Read: Best Lightroom Export Settings

4. Our Culling Prices & Packages

infographic stating we can put together packages that serve you best

At ShootDotEdit, we offer A-la-cart Culling, which is $0.16 an image reviewed, but if you know you are going to need culling with every event, let us know. We can put together packages to include culling with your membership. 

Why You Should Outsource Photo Culling & Editing To ShootDotEdit

1. Fastest Turnaround Time

infographic stating get your images edited and delivered to clients quickly

One of the main reasons why you should outsource photo culling and editing to ShootDotEdit is because of our turnaround time. We are the fastest in the industry, with a turnaround time as fast as 48 hours. This means that you can quickly get your edited images without having to wait for weeks or even months. 

Read More: Top Reasons You Need To Outsource Photo Editing

2. Connect With (Real) Humans

When you outsource photo culling and editing to ShootDotEdit, you can connect with real humans. Our team comprises passionate and caring people who are ready to help you succeed. We’re here to support you and answer any questions you may have.

3. Save Time

infographic stating make more time to focus on other aspects of your business

Outsourcing your photo culling and editing can save you a lot of time. This is because you don’t have to spend hours culling and editing your photos. Instead, you can focus on other important aspects of your business, such as marketing or social media.  

4. Focus On Shooting

Outsourcing photo culling and editing can also help you focus on shooting. This is because you don’t have to worry about the post-production process. As a result, you can spend more time doing what you do best – taking photos!  

Further Read: A Comprehensive Breakdown Of ShootDotEdit Photo Editing Services

So, if you’re looking to focus on your photography and not spend hours editing photos, or if you just don’t have the time to do it yourself, our photo culling services might be a great fit for you. We offer fast turnaround times, professional-grade editing, and a wide range of prices and packages to suit your needs. Let us help you skillfully streamline your workflow. 

At ShootDotEdit, we are passionate about helping you grow your wedding photography business. A part of how we do that is by lessening your post-production workload with our professional photo editing services. To learn more about how we can help your wedding photography business, check out our pricing plans.

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Wedding First Dance Photography Tips

a collage of wedding first dance photos

Weddings are a joyous occasion full of love and emotion. One of the highlights of every wedding is the first dance – the one between the couple as well as the one the bride and groom share with their parents. Photographing the first dance can be tricky, but with the right first dance photography techniques, it can actually be a cakewalk. Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but it can definitely get simpler and easier to shoot. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to photograph the first dance and give you some tips on how to make your photos stand out from the rest.

Wedding First Dance Photography

Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @wild.trail.studio

1. Use The Right Lens

infographic stating use the right lens for different photography angles and shots

When it comes to wedding photography, and especially the first dance, using the right lens is important. As you photograph the first dance, it’s important to get close enough to the couple to capture their expressions. A zoom lens will come in handy here; you can also use it with a wide aperture that can help you capture as much of the scene as possible. A wide-angle lens will capture the entire scene, while a telephoto lens will allow you to focus on the couple. 

2. Focus On Light

Great wedding first dance photography requires the use of good lighting. Using light creatively can really help to set the scene and create some gorgeous images. As for lighting, ambient light works great for first dances, but if you’re using artificial light, be sure to place the lights behind you so that they illuminate the couple and not create harsh shadows. 

Use flash sparingly and aim it away from the couple so that they are not blinded by the light. You can fill in the dark areas and provide a little extra light for your subjects with flash, or also use a reflector to bounce some light back onto those. This will help to create some depth and dimension in the photo. To soften the light and reduce the risk of glare, you can go with diffusers for your photography lighting adjustment. 

Suggested Read: Hard Light Vs Soft Light: Understanding Wedding Lighting

3. Capture The Emotion

infographic stating capture the subtle nuances of human emotion to have great first dance photos

The first dance is one of the most emotional moments of the day, as the newlyweds take to the dance floor for the first time as life partners. As their wedding photographer, you’ve got to capture the intimacy of the first dance in the first dance photos. Look for intimate moments like a kiss or a shared laugh. Your first dance photography should capture your couple’s emotions, reflecting the happiness and love they are feeling at that moment for them to look back on their wedding day and relive those happy memories.

4. Get A Variety Of Angles

Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @jorgesantiagophoto

Move around and shoot from different angles to capture a wide range of expressions and emotions. Get a good mix of close-up and wide shots. Close-ups will help capture the intimacy of the memorable moments, while wide shots will give a sense of the overall atmosphere and setting. Experiment with different perspectives to capture your couple’s movements and create a more dynamic and visually interesting photo. Get close-ups of the couple’s faces, wide shots of them dancing together, and even shots from above or below. By trying out different techniques, you’re sure to capture the first dance in all its glory.

Suggested Read: The 6 Most Important Angles To Capture During The First Dance

5. Get Creative With Your Composition 

infographic stating then it comes to first dance photography, creativity and composition are key

When it comes to wedding first dance photography, creativity and composition are key. Just as no two couples are the same, each first dance is unique and deserves its own special treatment. One way to add creativity to your shots is to vary your vantage point. Instead of standing in one spot and shooting straight on, try moving around the room, getting high or low angles, or even shooting through a window or door for an interesting perspective. Add interest to your photos by focusing on the details – look for creative ways to capture the bride’s dress, the groom’s suit, the flowers, the decorations, and the guests. By thinking outside the box, you can ensure that your wedding first dance photography is truly one of a kind.

Wedding Dance Photography Tips

Capturing the first dance at a wedding can be a challenge for even the most experienced photographer. Here are a few tips to help you get the perfect wedding dance floor photography shot:

1. Be Prepared

  • It’s always a good idea to arrive early to the reception so that you can get set up and have a game plan for the night. 
  • Be prepared beforehand, have a discussion with your couple about what they are hoping to capture, and pick the right lens and get the perfect settings to get the best possible shot. 
  • Position yourself at different angles to the couple, with plenty of space around them so you can capture their movements.  

Suggested Read: Understanding The Basics Of Wedding Dance Photography

2. Include Creative Captures

Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @jperrymanphotography
  • Include using a wide-angle lens to capture the whole dance floor or using creative lighting to create an atmospheric shot. 
  • Adjust your camera settings for first dance. Focus on capturing the movement and fluidity of the dance – this can be really beautiful and romantic. 
  • Switch things up during the dance. Move from side to side, zoom in and out, and play with the shutter speed to create different effects.
  • Use selective focus to keep the couple in sharp focus while blurring the background. This will help make them the center of attention.
     
  • As you’re composing your shot, be sure to select the perfect background. Look for interesting architectural features or perhaps a window with beautiful light streaming in.

3. Experiment With Lighting Techniques

  • Create some interesting effects using different shutter speeds. Slower shutter speeds will result in motion blur, which can add a sense of drama, while faster shutter speeds will freeze the action and can be more playful. 
  • Try flash photography – the light can add an extra layer of drama to the photos. Use off-camera flash to add some sparkle to the photos.
  • If the sun is setting, try positioning yourself so that the couple is backlit. This will give their silhouettes a warm and romantic glow. Alternatively, if the reception is taking place indoors, flash can be used to add drama and interest to the photos. 

Further Read: Wedding Reception Shooting Tips

As wedding photographers, capturing the emotions of the first dance should definitely be a part of your shot list. When learning about the best dance photography techniques, it is important to use the right equipment and tools. Besides using the right gear, also remember that unless you have a second shooter, you will need to keep moving around the room. Your first dance photography shots should include some really romantic and fun, candid shots of your couple in action, as well as the entire wedding party dancing the night away. So don’t shy away from getting close to your couple but remember that keeping some distance could get you some phenomenal photos too!

At ShootDotEdit, we are passionate about helping you grow your wedding photography business. A part of how we do that is by lessening your post-production workload with our professional photo editing services. To learn more about how we can help your wedding photography business, check out our pricing plans.

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