I’ve gone too far! Over-editing my way through 2022.

This was the year. Not so officially, 2022 was the year we committed to professional photography. I like to consider myself the technical director and lead editor for all of our photo shoots. For a husband and wife photography team, such fancy titles really just give me direction and a lane to stay in as we continue to grow. That’s what 2022 really was for me within my lane, growth in editing photographs. It started as, “do good things, but faster.” It evolved into something more.

Collaboration with and portrait of Krista Smith, in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 2022. (Photo/Sophia Reamsnyder)

After dinner with friends, February 2022, this shot of Krista happened. First of all, dinner was fantastic. Fried chicken, strawberry cupcakes, and tequila. Second, I loved this photo straight out of camera, but regardless, I needed to go to work. Into Photoshop I went. It was my place in all this, to edit the amazing photos my wife captures.

After probably two hours of color adjustments, blemish removal, skin smoothing, various enhancements, and who knows what else, I ended with a final edit I was really happy with. But truth be told, after reviewing my year’s work, two hours left me with a photo that’s flat, a little too red, and lacks character. Back to work I went 10 months later with the same raw image.

Collaboration with and portrait of Krista Smith, in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 2022. (Photo/Sophia Reamsnyder)

More Lightroom, less Photoshop, and about half the time spent editing. More depth, more character, and a little less red.

My focus this year was on growth as a photographer, specifically in my edits. I’d “like” to declare, “victory!” But not exactly. This is a lifelong journey we’re really only a year into. Am I a better editor today than I was earlier this year? I have progressed, or evolved as an editor, developing more of a sense of who “I” am. And “I” want to show how unique and special people are, not hide them with filters and masks.

So now what? What’s next? Better edits for sure, whatever that means. I’ll have to get back to you on the specifics once I’ve finished better analyzing my work for the year. But beyond that, a deeper dive into video and blogging about our experiences at Reamsnyder Photography.

See more of Krista on Instagram at @xo_queenvibes_ox.