My Fantastic 4 Editing Apps

We live in a world of edits, I mean, not too often do we see a photo or video that hasn't been "filtered" somehow. And, this may be an unpopular opinion, but I have zero problems with it 🤷‍♀️ Let me explain...

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I know there is a trending topic happening right now about being authentic and showing up authentically. And I am here for it! 🙌 But I think sometimes the message can make people feel bad for making tweaks to their content in order to create the vision they see rather than the one the camera gave them. 📸

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I'm not a photographer, and my husband is SLOWLY learning our camera, which means 75% of how my photos turn out the way they do is after they've been shot. This means presets, filters, and the occasional retouching to eliminate unwanted people, objects, acne, etc.

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No, I don't think we should add filters to our stories that make you look like you've had thousands of dollars of plastic surgery work. Like, have you tried some of those filters? They can make you look ridiculous. 🤣 But, what I have no problem with is the use of editing to enhance your photos. Of course, don't warp your body into something it's not because you truly are beautiful just the way you are, 💞 but at the same time don't be afraid to create magic out of a sad photo just because you're afraid it isn't being authentic. (Speaking from personal experience here.)

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When an artist paints a portrait most of the time they are going to paint you in the light you want to be seen while keeping things realistic. They are going to showcase your beautiful eyes, without the intensity of your dark circles, your bright smile, without the years of Mountain Dew stains, your natural glow, without the 2 pimples that decided to peek out that morning So personally, and again this is my personal opinion, I don't think there is a big problem with adding the extra sparkle✨ to create your photo into art.

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So, wanna know the apps that help me get from drab to fab? Continue reading! 👇

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FIRST -LIGHTROOM DESKTOP

Import all photos from the photoshoot

Easily compare favorites side by side to get to a "TOP 20 or less" usually from 200+ photos.

SECOND - LIGHTROOM CC APP

Try previously made presets on the photos and see which one fits best.

Make tweaks to that preset to create the new photoshoots custom preset.

Apply this new preset to all photos from the shoot.

Make adjustments to each photo as needed.

THIRD - SNAPSEED APP

PLAY AROUND and TRY EVERYTHING!

Layer different looks

Auto-adjust White Balance

Utilize Portrait Feature

Use HDR Scape!

Try out tools like Tonal Contrast, Vintage, Glamour Glow, and Drama.

Make a "Look" (kind of like a preset) for this photoshoot

Apply "Look" to all photos and make adjustments as needed.

FOUR - BACK TO LIGHTROOM CC APP

Click the "Auto" button and see if I like what it does to the photo I am working on.

Make any adjustments from this "Auto" which means usually upping the exposure BUT doing this can make a HUGE difference.

This is also when I'll crop and straighten my photo in the size it needs to be (4x5, 1x1, 9x16)

FIVE - RETOUCH APP

- the only app listed that you have to pay for (under $5) -

Use the Object Removal button to get rid of unwanted people or objects in the background.

Use Quick Repair to get rid of any unwanted face blemishes.

Utilize Clone Stamp to help smooth backgrounds, floors, wrinkles, etc.

(I even fix my hair this way sometimes. #bangproblems)

- sometimes this is where the process ends -

SIX - PICSART

- if I need to put extra creativity into my photos this is the app to make magic with -

Add stickers!

Add photo and layer them, then erase your body of the object you want to keep to change the background to your second photo. (Easy color background change!)

Use filters to add blurring, vintage tones, etc.

And this is how I learned to use those apps - TRY EVERYTHING. PLAY AROUND. DISCOVER NEW TOOLS. LOOK UP TUTORIALS. KEEP DOING THESE THINGS!

Now go download these apps and have fun! Isn't that the most important part of all of this content creating at the end of the day? I can't tell you how much I enjoy it when a photo starts out like this...

And ends up looking like...

There is so much more I'd like to learn when it comes to photography, but progress is progress and I'm proud of the progress my husband Steven and I have made in our photography journey. 💕💕

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Head to my latest Instagram Reel and drop your favorite photo editing app! Let's spread the gift of knowledge (and better quality photos!)

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Enjoy your weekend everyone!

- Rachel

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P.S. If you'd like to know the photography gear we use just follow the following link to my blog post ALL about it!

Photography Glow Up