Here’s the truth: I don’t enjoy editing. If I could just shoot and be done, I would. However, editing is part of the process, so I try to keep it as minimal as possible. My goal is always to maintain the vibe and emotion of the actual shoot. I want the final images to reflect how it felt to be there in that moment—not overly polished or disconnected from the original energy.

Over time, I have been working on perfecting my straight-out-of-camera images to achieve a particular look that feels uniquely “me.” This way, I can share the photos with the models I work with almost immediately after a shoot. Sometimes, we even go through the gallery together right after the session, which I genuinely enjoy; it becomes a shared reflection of the work we just created.

That said, sometimes I’ll spend an hour on a single image, just trying to get the colors to feel right. Then I’ll wake up the following day, look at it again, and think, “This is too edited.” It’s a strange push and pull—wanting the photo to be just right but not wanting it to lose its soul.

Working full-time and staring at a screen all day doesn’t leave me energized to come home and stare at another screen to edit. So, I usually reserve photo editing for the weekends when I’m home, allowing me to give it the space and attention it needs.

Sometimes, a song gets me in the mood to edit. I’ll hear something that emotionally resonates with a particular set of photos, and that’s it—I’m in the zone, looping that song repeatedly while working through the set. When I post those photos on Instagram, I usually include the music that inspired the mood—it’s all connected.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to take a little time off between shooting and reviewing. Coming back to the photos with fresh eyes almost always shifts my perspective. A tighter crop might bring out something more intimate, or an image I initially overlooked may suddenly resonate differently.

That space—stepping back and letting things breathe—is a key part of the creative process. It’s not just about adjusting tones or cleaning up an image. When approached with intention, editing can be the final touch that brings a photo to life. It’s where subtle choices—like how warm or cool the shadows feel or whether to leave in a bit of grain—can completely shape the emotion and storytelling in the image.

Even though I prefer to keep edits minimal, I have come to respect how essential this part of the process is. It’s where instinct meets reflection, allowing me to push just a little further to ensure the photo not only looks like the moment but also feels like it.

Editing is a lifelong process. As I grow and change as a photographer, so does how I see and process my images. I think that’s a good thing—it means I’m still learning, refining, and chasing that feeling.

-Andrew