– here is a quick tip how I get my images to pop.  First. Good lighting! If you don’t get in your camera, it will be impossible to fix in Photoshop. Find some open shade, look for a location with soft, natural light… it’s what I do on every shoot if I can find it.

Post-processing is an individual taste for every photographer, everyone has there own personal style. Here is what works for me and my first steps to get my photo to look the way I like. When I shoot portraits, which is 99%, I like to shoot a little over-exposed; this is how I get nice skin tones and brightness.

Here is a photo of Skylar straight out of the camera. (mini-session for her birthday announcement, super fun session)! I just used pink paper for a back drop and natural window light on the left of Skylar, open exposure compensation in my camera 1 full stop. I always go to my Levels in Photoshop (image/adjustment/level or command L). The levels tool can move and stretch brightness levels in a histogram using three main components: a black point, white point and midtone slider. Images, which do not extend to fill the entire tonal range often look washed out and can lack impact. So I usually slide the black/white points to the edges of the histogram. Please pay attention to your image; it’s all about the look you want. I did only a slight adjustment on this photo, (I used a pink star on the sliders to show you where they are).

Okay, next is the secret to perfect skin. The spot healing brush in your PS tool bar lets you correct imperfections in your photo! Also I always touch up the shadows under the eyes, and I always use burning and dodging to make the image look the way I want, (just like back in the darkroom good ole’days)! Okay, I guess a 4 year old doesn’t need much editing on her perfect skin (:

Next is Curves (command M) to POP the photo. This is one of the first things I learned in Photoshop 10 years ago. Perhaps the most powerful and flexible image transformation, yet it may also be one of the most intimidating. It’s just a simple ‘S’ curve that brings contrast and affects the tones. Tip: press option on your keyboard to reset,  if you want to start over and adjust to your own taste.

Last, if you want more “SAUCE” on your images I use Totally Rad Actions (Oh Snap, Prettyizer, BAMF b&w,  Punch Out!) and Kubota Actions (Warming, X-Process, Clarify Lite, Vignette, Daily Multi Vitamin)  are some favs. I always end my photo using Magic Sharp from Kubota to finish up my photo….(I used Clarify Lite and Daily Multi Vitamin here at about 10% opacity for a little extra something special, no need to go overboard!!)

have fun and keep shooting… XOXO