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I am constantly receiving emails from fellow photographers (old and new) who want to know how I handle the post processing of my images. So I'm dedicating this entire post to just that! 

First, I want to express an opinion: A photo shouldn't just be shot, burned to a disc, then handed over to the client...if you're a digital photographer (and an artist at that), one must work on the images. Even if it's proofs being handed back to the client, never, I repeat, NEVER, give a client an untouched image! Would a painter hand over a paying client an almost blank canvas with just the pencil sketches? No. Especially when the paying client is expecting "art"! They hire you to do what they cannot do for themselves. We are artists, lets be respectful to our paying clients and deliver to them the amazing photos they are expecting out of us!

Okay, now that I'm done ranting I want to give credit to the amazing companies that make my life 100 times easier when it comes to the post processing of my images. These two companies are Fotofafa and TOTALLY RAD ACTIONS! I use both of these companies separately for two totally different purposes and I'll explain that below. I'm proud to be an affiliate for both of these companies, because as I rave about them constantly (they deserve it more than they know) they are "scratching my back" with beautiful images I can give to my clients and in return I get to share what they do, along with how awesome I truly believe they are for a small percentage return in my pocket.

Plus, I thought this would be the perfect time to share about these two companies because both Fotofafa and TOTALLY RAD ACTIONS! are running HUGE Black Friday sales, see below to take advantage of that as long as it lasts:

To redeem the discount for 15% off at TOTALLY RAD ACTIONS! type in the coupon code 1016BLACKFRIDAY (you don't want to miss out on the RadLab if you don't already have it). Their sale is only running for 24 hours only on 11/25/11!

To redeem the discounts and HUGE savings from Fotofafa during their Black Friday sale, be sure to type in the coupon code  LYON11. Their sale is currently running through Monday 11/28/11!

Working on images takes time, we all know that, and if not time-managed properly, post processing of images can take over your life, which will in turn make you abhor the job you once loved. I am a complete believer in outsourcing so that I can have more time to do the things that I love, like spending time with my family, going out on a date with my husband, or even at this time of year taking time off for the holidays.

After shooting a wedding with 3,000 plus images, I get to send all of my photos over to Fotofafa to cull down and process into beautifully proofed jpegs. They take each image and color correct to my preference, adjust the white balance, perfect my exposure, and even add contrast if I need them to.

Here are a few recent images I received back from Fotofafa along with my raw (in camera) image so you can see the before & after:

This image seemed a bit dull and I like how Fotofafa brought it to life.
tra_fotofafa001.jpgI love how they were able to bring out he details in the blacks and still keep the contrast up.
tra_fotofafa002.jpgEven the slightest adjustment in white-balance can make a huge difference.
Before I send all of my images over to Fotofafa, I like to go through and choose my favorites that will be featured on my blog, used for the slideshow, and ultimately used for my clients' wedding albums. Totally Rad Actions help me to "artistically edit" my favorite images and retouch them into a complete work of art.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes played on the following photos using Totally Rad Actions through their new RadLab...(which is seriously RAD and beyond easy to use!).

Recipe for black & white conversion using TRA within RadLab (note: all of my black and white images are always desaturated prior to the following steps):
1. Detroit reduced down to 50% and tone compression increased up to 130%
2. Grainstorm at 100%
3. Get Faded Neutral reduced down to 30%
4. Boutwell Magic Glasses reduced down to 50%

tra_fotofafa004.jpgHere is the color recipe I used for these next two images using the Totally Rad Actions within RadLab (the best part about Radlab is that it is very visual and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to use it):

1. Cool As A Cucumber reduced down to 50%
2. Get Faded Spring reduced down to 60%
3. The 600 reduced down to 50% with grain down to 15% and the defocus down to 0%
4. Boutwell Magic Glasses reduced down to 50%
tra_fotofafa005.jpgtra_fotofafa006.jpg
Again, a HUGE shout-out to Fotofafa & Totally Rad Actions for making my life easier, especially during the holidays when I really want to get things done fast in order to have more time to myself and all the while still being able to deliver the quality images my clients deserve!
6 Comments
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Paco & Betty said:
We agree, we use and love both!
(11.23.11 01:49 PM)
Jonathan Connolly said:
Nice. Thank you for sharing the recipes! I recently got a order back from Fotofafa and they did such a great job!
(11.23.11 02:57 PM)
Mindy said:
I love when you post things like this!! Thank you for sharing!! :) Also, do you have an average number that you will "artistically edit" for clients, before sending them to Fotofafa? You artistically edit those and then when Fotofafa delivers the rest you are done? Sounds amazing! :) Thanks again! Your work is such an inspiration!
(11.23.11 08:38 PM)
Louis Blythe said:
Thanks for these. Great Comparisons!
(11.29.11 08:04 PM)
Emily said:
Hi Amelia, thank you for sharing! I was wondering if the client then receives all the fotofafa images on a disc and then the only ones you add your own artisitic touches to are the ones the client chooses to purchase in print and in their albums? Obviously, you additionally edit what comes back from fotofafa for your blog. I have been struggling with whether I edit them all with my own presets or if I color re-touch then only personally add my own touch to their chosen prints and album choices? Thanks so much for your help! You are a gem to help other photogs out!
(12.02.11 12:44 PM)
oddessyjain said:
Those images are really great.
(01.22.12 07:37 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: How Fotofafa + the Radlab better my life! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.amelialyon.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/380
It's always fun working with and getting to photograph a friend's wedding! As was the case with Nate + Katie Rose. Justin has been busy co-producing a radical upcoming kids television show with Nate over this past year & has worked with Nate on Yo Gabba Gabba, so Justin & he have become pretty close. We're so glad that Nate met Katie Rose and fell in love with her...we're even happier that we got to photograph their wedding day!
n_kr_wed001.jpg
n_kr_wed002.jpgn_kr_wed003.jpgn_kr_wed004.jpgThe wedding party...
n_kr_wed005.jpgn_kr_wed006.jpgn_kr_wed007.jpgn_kr_wed008.jpgn_kr_wed009.jpgn_kr_wed010.jpgn_kr_wed011.jpgn_kr_wed012.jpgn_kr_wed013.jpgn_kr_wed014.jpgn_kr_wed015.jpgn_kr_wed016.jpgn_kr_wed017.jpgMy favorite detail of the day: the "Mr & Mrs Rogers" sign hanging over their ceremony site...loved it! Shauna Lewis of The Little Shop of Shavs did fantastic job coordinating the ceremony and reception. She also does these amazing paintings...it's a MUST check out!
n_kr_wed018.jpgMy favorite shot of the day!
n_kr_wed019.jpgn_kr_wed020.jpgn_kr_wed021.jpgn_kr_wed022.jpgn_kr_wed023.jpgn_kr_wed024.jpgn_kr_wed025.jpgn_kr_wed026.jpgn_kr_wed027.jpgn_kr_wed028.jpgn_kr_wed029.jpgn_kr_wed030.jpgn_kr_wed031.jpgn_kr_wed032.jpg
n_kr_wed033.jpgn_kr_wed034.jpgn_kr_wed035.jpgn_kr_wed036.jpgn_kr_wed037.jpg
Click here to see the rest of their wedding day!
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Sara Lucero said:
Love it, Amelia. I don't even understand that ring picture... it's amazing! Blown away.
(11.22.11 09:09 PM)
Lauren @ Every Last Detail said:
So very gorgeous! I love the use of chevron, and even more so, the bride and groom's incredible JOY! :)
(11.22.11 09:13 PM)
Leigh-Ellen said:
I love seeing weddings with an aesthetic I'd never ever choose for myself but that works so perfectly all the same. Love what people have started doing with streamers lately as well!! Gorgeous set of photos.
(11.23.11 06:30 AM)
RoseAllen@ Hawaii Wedding said:
The wedding is very gorgeous. I love the little cakes made it is so lovely. Very very good photos.
(11.23.11 07:41 AM)
Heather Hamer said:
Love the tie! Love the car! Everything is fun and festive. The one kissing under the streamers is my fav!
(11.23.11 09:05 AM)
Kayla Thompson said:
These pictures are so beautiful! So much color and amazing lighting techniques! Love!
(11.23.11 01:54 PM)
richard cao said:
amelia! love love love this set! you are so talented! and happy thanksgiving!
(11.23.11 09:28 PM)
Anda said:
WOW I love there details so much. Super bright, colorful, and FUN. Amazing amazing work as usual, guys :)
(11.24.11 06:36 AM)
Fotografia ślubna Lublin said:
Fantastic work, great colors, Like it :-)
(11.25.11 01:57 AM)
Aundrea Shafer said:
Your work is so beautiful and artistic! I've been wondering, what tones/actions are you using to get the coloring in these photos? They're a mix between creamy and warm yet still cool.
(11.26.11 11:00 AM)
shelly said:
Love this couple...and shot by my fav. photog! Perfection!
(11.27.11 09:27 PM)
matt sloan said:
love that Nate guy! rad shots guys!!!
(11.28.11 11:17 AM)
David said:
Love your work Amelia. I have to say, the look of your images conveys a feeling that is hard to describe. They have warmth and emotion. I admire a few other photographers with different styles, but yours is unique unlike any other. You and a local photographer Ashley Warren are two of my favorite photographers, and yet so completely different. It seems you use similar tools, but applied in your own artistic ways. Like a paintbrush used by two fine artists to render different works of art. I want to create my own style, but what it is, I'm still trying to figure out. thanks for sharing your ideas with us. David in Huntsville, AL
(11.29.11 08:43 PM)
Katie Rose said:
I couldn't be happier with these, and agree with the other comments - you are such an artist with the camera - you and Justin both. Thanks for documenting our crazy day for us.
(12.01.11 03:53 AM)
David Ferguson | Brisbane wedding photographer said:
Love your work Amelia.
(12.05.11 06:34 PM)
duane said:
i freaking love these
(12.12.11 11:35 AM)
angie monson said:
Absolutely stunning.
(12.12.11 12:27 PM)
wedding midlands said:
Happy wedding ! Seeing the image of your wedding ,i am speechless. Really it seems as a live cast . In this blog,it is explained the wedding of the Nate and Katie Rose . Really it is a nice couple. Great image ,lots of love thanks.
(12.20.11 10:26 PM)
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(05.03.13 02:50 AM)
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(03.14.14 11:49 AM)
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