Wedding Photo Editing FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the 5-day turnaround guarantee work?

When you submit Lightroom Smart Previews, our team color corrects and returns your updated catalog within 5 business days.

How do you match my custom Lightroom editing style?

During onboarding, we analyze 2-3 anchor wedding galleries to build a custom preset profile tailored specifically to your studio.

What files do I need to send?

You only send Lightroom Smart Previews (.lrcat & .lrdata). Smart Previews are lightweight and fast to upload via Dropbox or Google Drive.

Is there a minimum monthly image volume commitment?

No minimums! Pay per image or choose a monthly studio retainer if you want guaranteed editor capacity.

What if the style match is not right?

Unlimited revisions on your first three galleries. We adjust your profile until it matches your signature tone curves, skin tones, and highlight roll-off perfectly.

Which Lightroom versions do you support?

Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Capture One. We work primarily with Smart Previews and return lightweight XMP sidecars and catalogs that import with 1 click.

How do I send files and how large is the upload?

You only upload Lightroom Smart Previews (typically 1.5GB to 2GB per wedding instead of 50GB RAWs). You can use any link: Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer.

What happens if you miss the turnaround deadline?

That gallery is completely free. We strictly limit our photographer roster to ensure we never overcommit or miss a delivery date.

How do the 20 Free Sample Edits work?

Send us 20 RAW images from a past delivered wedding along with your preset or reference exports. We calibrate your custom profile and return them within 24 hours at zero cost with no credit card required.

Are there any subscription commitments or off-season minimums?

No. You only pay per wedding or per image when you have active shoots. There are zero monthly retainers, no contract lock-ins, and no off-season minimum fees. Pause completely in winter at zero cost.

What happens if my wedding gallery has 1,650 images (over the 1,500 limit)?

Additional images beyond your package capacity are simply billed at our transparent flat rate of $0.24 per image. We will never surprise you with hidden fees or forced tier upgrades.

How do I receive my 100 overnight sneak peeks?

When we receive your Lightroom Smart Preview upload, our lead colorist prioritizes 100 highlight frames and returns a lightweight catalog sidecar within 24 hours so you can share preview galleries immediately.

Do you offer volume discounts for studios shooting 40+ weddings per year?

Yes, absolutely. For high-volume boutique studios and associate shooter teams processing over 40 weddings annually, we offer customized volume contracts and dedicated editor pods. Book a discovery call to discuss custom onboarding.

Do you offer Adobe Photoshop skin and portrait retouching?

Yes, absolutely! While full wedding galleries are color graded in Lightroom Classic for consistency, we provide high-end Adobe Photoshop retouching for hero portraits, cover frames, and albums. This includes non-destructive frequency separation skin smoothing (keeping natural pore texture intact), flyaway hair cleanup, blemish correction, veil softening, and background distraction cloning.

How do you match my exact Lightroom presets and signature tones?

Before processing your first full gallery, we conduct a 1-on-1 style calibration. We deconstruct your proprietary presets, camera profiles (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Leica), white balance preferences, and 2–3 completed benchmark weddings. Your dedicated lead editor adjusts exposure, HSL curves, and grain in Lightroom Classic to deliver edits that look as if you edited them yourself.

What file formats and intake workflows do you support?

We adapt 100% to whatever workflow you are comfortable with: (1) Lightroom Classic catalogs (.lrcat with Smart Previews or linked RAWs), (2) Direct high-resolution camera RAW files (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fuji, Leica) uploaded via Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer, or (3) Lightroom Cloud (CC) shared albums for real-time collaboration with zero file exports.

What happens if I need adjustments after receiving my catalog?

Every catalog includes our Zero-Ego Unlimited Free Revisions Guarantee. You simply flag any frames in Lightroom or leave notes, and your dedicated editor recalibrates immediately at zero extra charge until your profile is 100% dialed in.

What is your guaranteed delivery turnaround?

Color correction and full-suite catalogs are delivered within 5 business days guaranteed. Culling catalogs are completed in 3 business days. Additionally, we offer an expedited 24-hour overnight turnaround for sneak peeks (up to 100 highlight frames).

Do you return flattened JPEGs or live Lightroom catalogs?

Always live, native Lightroom catalogs (.lrcat) or .xmp sidecars. Every exposure slider, temperature tint, tone curve, and crop remains 100% editable on your computer so you retain total creative ownership.

Are my client images kept private and protected under an NDA?

Yes, unconditionally. Every studio partnership is protected under our strict non-disclosure agreement. We operate strictly white-label behind the scenes: your client images are never published, shared, or claimed publicly.

Do you offer Adobe Photoshop skin retouching?

Yes! We combine full-gallery Lightroom color grading with fine-art Adobe Photoshop skin retouching for bridal hero portraits and albums. We use frequency separation to preserve authentic pore texture while cleaning up blemishes, flyaway hairs, veil wrinkles, and background distractions.

Who actually edits my photos — a real person or AI?

A dedicated human colorist, every time. We do not run your galleries through automated AI presets or bulk filters. Your studio is paired with one editor who learns your signature tone curves, skin-tone preferences, and grain style across every wedding you send us.

How experienced is your editing team?

Our colorists are seasoned wedding post-production specialists, not general freelancers. We have calibrated 500+ full wedding galleries across every lighting scenario — harsh midday sun, candlelit receptions, stained-glass churches, and everything in between.

Do you sign an NDA to protect my clients’ images?

Yes, always. Every studio partnership is covered under a non-disclosure agreement. Your client images are strictly confidential, stored on encrypted storage, and never published, shared, or claimed publicly without your explicit permission.

What makes Bridal Editing different from other editing services?

Four key advantages: a dedicated single colorist, 100% native Lightroom sliders in your returned catalog, complete workflow flexibility (Lightroom Classic, direct RAWs, or Lightroom CC shared albums), and advanced Adobe Photoshop skin retouching for hero frames.

How fast will someone respond to my inquiry?

Our studio management team responds to all inquiries within 2 hours during active business hours (Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM EST). Inquiries sent overnight are prioritized first thing the following morning.

Can I test your editing on a few frames before hiring your studio?

Yes, absolutely. We offer 20 free test edits calibrated directly to your proprietary Lightroom presets and camera profiles. You receive back a native .lrcat file with full live sliders so you can inspect skin tones, grain, and highlight rolloff.

What file formats and intake workflows can I send?

We adapt 100% to whatever workflow you are comfortable with! You can send: (1) Lightroom Classic catalogs (.lrcat with Smart Previews or linked RAWs), (2) Direct camera RAW files (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fuji, Leica) uploaded via Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer, or (3) An invite to an Adobe Lightroom Cloud (CC) shared album for real-time collaboration with zero file exports.

Do you sign an NDA to safeguard my client images?

Every single studio partnership is strictly covered under our confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement. We operate strictly white-label behind the scenes: your client galleries are never posted, shared, or claimed publicly.

What if I have an urgent wedding delivery this week?

We offer an expedited 24-Hour Overnight Turnaround pipeline for sneak peeks (up to 100 highlight frames) and rush full-gallery turnaround upon request. Let us know your delivery deadline in your message so we can reserve dedicated editor capacity immediately.

What file intake formats and workflows do you accept?

We adapt 100% to whatever pipeline you are comfortable with: Lightroom Classic catalogs (.lrcat with Smart Previews or linked RAWs), direct high-resolution camera RAW files (Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer), or Lightroom Cloud (CC) shared albums with real-time sync.

How does Advanced Photoshop Retouching work?

Advanced Photoshop Retouching (.50/frame) is designed for hero portraits, cover frames, and album spreads. It includes frequency-separation skin smoothing (preserving natural skin texture), blemish removal, flyaway hair cleanup, veil and garment de-wrinkling, and background distraction removal, delivered in full-resolution master files.

Can I send full RAW files, or do I have to use Smart Previews?

You can send whichever you are most comfortable with! While many studios love lightweight Smart Previews (1.5GB) for rapid 5-minute uploads, we also work directly with full camera RAW files (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fuji, Leica) uploaded via Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer, as well as real-time Lightroom Cloud (CC) shared albums. We adapt 100% to your preferred pipeline.

Do you offer Adobe Photoshop skin and portrait retouching alongside Lightroom?

Yes! While full wedding galleries are color-balanced in Lightroom for consistent tonality, we provide high-end Adobe Photoshop retouching for hero bridal portraits, cover frames, and albums. We use frequency separation to smooth skin tones while keeping authentic pore texture intact, remove flyaway hairs and blemishes, de-wrinkle veils and garments, and clone out background distractions.

Can I still adjust the exposure or crop after you return the catalog?

Yes, absolutely. We do not export flat images. We return the native Lightroom Catalog (.lrcat), meaning every single slider—exposure, tone curve, HSL, masking, crop, and white balance—remains 100% open and fully editable.

What if I use custom camera profiles (e.g. Sony S-Cinetone, Leica, or Fujifilm Film Simulations)?

We load your exact camera color profiles and .XMP preset files into our Lightroom editing workstations so the rendering is identical to your personal workspace.

How do you handle revisions if I want a tweak on a specific gallery?

We offer free, unlimited revisions until your calibration profile is 100% dialed in. You can simply leave notes in your studio portal or flag images inside the catalog.

How do you ensure skin tones look natural across different lighting conditions?

Unlike automated AI that applies flat global adjustments, our human colorists calibrate skin tones using custom HSL luminance and hue curves tailored to each camera sensor profile (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Leica). We anchor exposure on bridal skin, protecting natural melanin across diverse lighting transitions.

Can I send my custom Lightroom .XMP presets and profiles?

Yes, absolutely. We encourage you to send your signature .XMP presets, camera profiles, and 5–10 anchor reference edits from past weddings. We analyze your tone curves and grain settings to calibrate a dedicated profile exclusively for your studio.

Do you include horizon straightening and lens profile corrections?

Yes, every image is checked for horizon level, vertical architectural convergence, lens chromatic aberration removal, and geometric distortion correction as part of our standard color grading service.

What if a specific gallery requires a slight tweak?

We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee with free, unlimited fine-tuning revisions. Because we deliver the live Lightroom Classic catalog, all sliders (exposure, curves, masks) remain open and editable on your computer.