One of the most common questions I get after a session is, "How do you decide which photos to edit and send?"It’s a great question, and it speaks to a process that every professional photographer handles behind the scenes—a process affectionately (or sometimes gruesomely) known as the cull.The "cull" is simply the art of selection: choosing the very best images from the hundreds or even thousands taken during a session or event and removing the rest. It's where the magic of curation happens, ensuring you receive a gallery full of intentional, beautiful, and flawless photographs.
Here is an honest, transparent look at what happens immediately after I download your photos and before I begin the editing process.
📸 Phase 1: The Initial Sweep (The Technical Cull)
The first pass is purely technical and fast-paced. I’m looking for images that have undeniable flaws that cannot be fixed in editing. This includes:
Closed Eyes/Blinking: In a rapid series of shots, someone inevitably blinks. I delete every photo where a key subject's eyes are closed or partially closed.
Test Shots & Missed Focus: Sometimes a shot is taken to simply test the light, or the camera's autofocus misses its mark. If the image is soft, blurry, or clearly a setup shot, it's gone.
Duplicates & Near Duplicates: When capturing a moment, I often shoot a quick burst to ensure I capture the subtle shift in expression. If I have five photos of the exact same moment, only the one with the best expression and framing makes the cut.
Why this matters: I am protecting you from scrolling through 20 versions of the same photo just to find the perfect one. Your time is valuable, and my job is to deliver only the best.
💔 Phase 2: The Emotional & Aesthetic Review (The Creative Cull)
This phase is where my artistic vision comes into play. I slow down and start looking at the emotional and aesthetic quality of each remaining image.
Unflattering Expressions: We all make funny faces sometimes! If an expression looks awkward, strained, or unintentionally unflattering, I remove it. I am committed to delivering images that make you look and feel your absolute best.
Distractions in the Frame: Did an unexpected passerby wander into the background? Is there a distracting piece of trash or a poorly placed sign? If a subtle element ruins the scene and can't be cropped out, the image is culled.
Redundancy of Moments: If we spent 15 minutes in one spot and captured the moment perfectly in five distinct poses, I don't need to include the 20 outtakes that led up to them. I ensure every photo in your final gallery feels unique and adds value to the story.
✅ Phase 3: The Final Selection (The Gallery Build)
The images that survive the first two rounds are the keepers—the cream of the crop. These photos represent the best of our time together: the sharpest focus, the most authentic expressions, the most beautiful light, and the most compelling storytelling.
This final selection is what goes into my editing queue. Every image you receive has passed a rigorous two-stage review, confirming it is worthy of being edited and printed.
🎯 My Promise to You: Quality Over Quantity
The concept of the "cull" can sometimes make clients worry that they are missing out on potential favorites.
I want to assure you that my selection process is done with your best interest and the integrity of my craft in mind.
You hire me for my eye: Part of the value you receive is my trained expertise in knowing when the shot is perfect and when it is merely good.
The delivered number is ideal: The number of images promised in your package is calculated to tell a complete and compelling story without overwhelming you with noise.
When you receive your final gallery, you can trust that every single image is a professionally vetted, intentionally crafted photograph that reflects the very best moments we captured together.
It is my job to eliminate the noise so you can focus only on the joy!Do you have any questions about the editing phase that follows the cull? I'd be happy to outline the steps I take to process your images.