What's the difference between "custom" editing and "Lightly" edited images?

If you have read some of the pages on the website, you might see these words used with our Deluxe, Petite, Custom and Limited Edition Sessions. Custom Sessions are truly customized starting from the initial contact all the way to the delivery of the art for your home. There are about 10-15 hours in one session for me. All other sessions are All Inclusive sessions that also include digital files, but have less time. I usually spend about 3-5 hours per session.

Wait..aren't you only at the session for about an hour?

Many people ask me this. Yes! I am usually at the actual session between 30-60 minutes, so people often wonder where all the time comes from. For me, there are many moving parts to one session. Admin time, phone calls, emails, travel time, editing time, ordering products, uploading images, exporting images, culling, follow up, and all the editing. For Legacy Sessions, I usually bring an external strobe that only enhances your images more, but will take more time setting up and moving from one area to the next. I also edit all my images individually and rarely use pre sets or other quick editing tools. To me, each image tells a unique story that needs to be edited according to that story. One pre set might work for one image, but not for another.

Custom vs. Lightly Edited

If you choose a Custom Session, all your images will be customized to you. I might add a sky or paint on the face of the subject to make it look flawless. I might add an overlay that will bring out the colors, or add to them. Or I might enhance the eyes with a multiple step process that makes them truly stand out. This all takes more time.

If you choose an All Inclusive or Limited Edition Session, you will still have beautiful imagery, but none of the above editing will be done. Most of the images stay in Lightroom, which is a very powerful editing tool. This takes less time.

All images from both session types have basic editing applied to them; cropping, exposure, clarity, contrast, curves, vibrance adjustments and sharpening. The difference then becomes where does it go from there?

Below is an image from Aimee's senior Custom Session

On the left, the basic edits-what you would see in an All Inclusive or Limited Edition Session.

On the right, more custom edits to the color, sky, and Aimee herself. What differences do you see?

Head shot Session-on the left, basic edits, on the right, custom. What differences do you see?

Lastly, the Eickman Family

This session was a Limited Edition, so basic edits apply. On the left, the final edits, and on the right, the original file without any edits.

There is not too much of a difference between the original file and the final one, because most of the time, I do try to get everything correct in camera. Since this is a RAW file, not a jpeg, it still needs to "cook" a little longer. It needs a bit more processing to have it be the best it can be.

If this session was a Custom Session, there would be a few more things I would have done. For example, I would have enhanced the greens and red barn doors more, plus gotten rid of that light leak in the back on the left side. Still, it is a great image and the Eickmans look wonderful!

Other Factors

Another thing to consider is what it costs to run a business. For me, even though I run my business out of my home, I have costs that are incurred in order to serve my clients the best I can. Website costs, legal costs, accounting costs, office costs, equipment costs, domain name costs, client management system costs, and so forth. Those are factored in to what each session costs. So, in order for me to make a living, I have to make a certain amount of money per session. Basically, when you book with me, the digital files are at a very low cost. You are paying for my time and costs to run the business.

What do you mean digital files are "low cost"?

With the Custom Sessions, you receive a certain amount of digital files for free depending on your art order amount. You still pay for the art, of course, but the digital files are complimentary. With the All Inclusive Sessions and Limited Edition Sessions, you are paying for all the time that goes into your session, and the digital files are at a low cost. If I charged for the digital files as an actual product, which they really are, the cost would be a lot more.

Is that why the All Inclusive and Limited Edition Sessions are less expensive?

Yes. Since I have less time in those sessions, they will cost less. If I started editing and retouching all the images like I retouch and edit the ones from the Custom Sessions, the other sessions would cost more. More time, more money.

What many people do not realize, though, is that Custom Sessions are not that much more than an All Inclusive or Limited Edition. For example, if you purchase $595 worth of art in a Custom Session, you are also receiving most of your digital files for free. So, you get art and digital files, and you did not have to do anything further. You are done. With an All Inclusive or Limited Edition, once you receive your digital files, you still have to find a place to print whatever you want to print and take the time to do it. So, what is your time worth? You are still spending more money and time.

For example, if you had a Custom Session and chose our 11x14 Luxury Framed Canvas Wrap for $390, you would receive most of your digital files and that art for just $390. If you chose a Deluxe Session for $300, you receive 12 of your digital files, but still need to order products. How much do you really save? What is your time worth?

I am more than happy to help you through the entire process of a session. In other words, be your guide. I have special software that will show you how your images can look on the walls of your own home so no guesswork is involved. Beautiful albums and other art is on hand so you can see first hand how custom art decorates a home. Seeing and handling the products is an invaluable part of choosing what to display in your home and if you choose a Custom Session, all this is available to you.

If, on the other hand, you are into doing it yourself and have a smaller budget, choose an All Inclusive or Limited Edition Session. These were created to give clients more flexibility in choices. Our hope is that everyone will be able to see the value and importance in having portraits taken of their family and loved ones. We want this to be a possibility for all, so we do our best to make it happen.

Having your family's, children's and seniors portraits taken is a priceless thing that will only be treasured as the years go by. Don't look back and regret not having a portrait session with your family and loved ones. Just do it.

Would you like to schedule a session? Call us at 406.580.6176

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Custom Edits vs. Light Edits

What's the difference between "custom" editing and "Lightly" edited images?

Wait..aren't you only at the session for about an hour?

Custom vs. Lightly Edited

Below is an image from Aimee's senior Custom Session

On the left, the basic edits-what you would see in an All Inclusive or Limited Edition Session.

On the right, more custom edits to the color, sky, and Aimee herself. What differences do you see?

Head shot Session-on the left, basic edits, on the right, custom. What differences do you see?

Lastly, the Eickman Family

This session was a Limited Edition, so basic edits apply. On the left, the final edits, and on the right, the original file without any edits.

There is not too much of a difference between the original file and the final one, because most of the time, I do try to get everything correct in camera. Since this is a RAW file, not a jpeg, it still needs to "cook" a little longer. It needs a bit more processing to have it be the best it can be.

Other Factors

What do you mean digital files are "low cost"?

Is that why the All Inclusive and Limited Edition Sessions are less expensive?

Would you like to schedule a session? Call us at 406.580.6176

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