How to Nail Your Digital Editing with Elise Hogberg of Image Salon!
Today I am speaking with the Sales Manager of Image Salon, Elise Hogberg! Image Salon is an editing and retouching outsourcing company based out of Montreal. They work 1-on-1 with their clients to create a custom look.
HIGHLIGHTS
Consistency in editing is crucial.
Image Salon is focused on showcasing each client’s unique style and brand. As a photographer, you are both an artist and a business owner. It's important to take the time to figure out what you want in your editing so that decisions are made with intention.
Presets alone will not make your work consistent. Presets are a great starting point, but you must also be very clear on how you would like your work to look. When you have a system and intention, editing can be a seamless process!
How do you find consistency when you are shooting in different places?
Consistency may be a challenge if you are shooting in many different locations. Some photographers may shoot at sunset on a beach, inside a client's home and outside in a park. How can they achieve a consistent editing style?
You must be consistent in your point of view as well as your editing. If your approach is the same, there will be a similar level of contrast and consistency naturally in your work. It also helps to create a variety in your feed.
Three elements for consistency
If you are looking to learn about consistency in editing, the three elements you should look at the most are your exposure, white balance and level of contrast.
If you have one image that is well exposed and the next is under exposed, that will be a glaring inconsistency in your portfolio.
Sometimes you have to move back and forth between your exposure and white balance because one can affect the other. If you have some images that are extremely warm and some that are extremely cool, your clients will not quite understand your style.
Looking at your contrast, does it feel flat? Does it feel muted? If you don't like using contrast because of how it affects the colors, you can always increase or decrease shadows and blacks.
Outsourcing hesitations
Many photographers are afraid of giving up control of aspects of their business, such as editing. Some others are concerned that they can't afford it due to being a small business.
However, outsourcing frees up so much of your time. Photographers wear a lot of hats, and if you want your business to grow, you must let go of some of those hats. Once you outsource, you realize what other things you can accomplish with more energy.
Clarity is the foundation of building a profitable business, and consistency is the cornerstone. You must know what you want and be able to produce it. As you grow, you can decide what you need to let go of and outsource. You can look get 10% off your first Image Salon order here!
