Have you ever felt overwhelmed by photo editing? Like it’s this never-ending rabbit hole where one tweak leads to ten more—and suddenly it’s 1am and you’re still adjusting skin tones?
Yeah. Same.
This week on the Better Photos Podcast, we’re diving deep into editing—starting with the basic tools on your phone, working through Lightroom (and presets!), and finishing off with how AI editing assistants are changing the game.
If you’d rather listen to the audio version of this blog post, check out Episode 6 on the Better Photos Podcast or scroll to the bottom.
Let’s get into it.
First, a Quick Update from this Rental Studio
Before we get into editing, here’s a little peek behind the scenes.
This past week, I hosted some Mommy & Me studio sessions in a new Concord studio—and let me just say, the light was chef’s kiss. We’re talking soft neutrals, a faux fireplace, a blush-toned wall. All the cozy, creamy tones I love. You can check it out on PEERSPACE here.
I brought my client closet, a few little ones joined in, and we got the sweetest images. If you’re in the Charlotte area and want indoor options for unpredictable winter weather, this studio is perfect. Indoor shoots = no reschedules, plus more control over lighting. Win-win.
Valentine’s Fun and Galentine’s Party Inspo
In other fun news, we threw a Galentine’s party for my girls and their friends—charm necklace making, a vintage heart cake (from Wildflower Bakery in Charlotte), and all the good vibes.
If you’re planning a similar party, I made a board on my Amazon storefront with all the supplies we used. You can find it here. It’s perfect for a mom’s night too!
Let’s Talk Editing: Start with the Basics
Before you buy every preset under the sun (guilty), it’s worth understanding what your editing tools actually do. Even the tools built into your iPhone can go a long way.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Exposure: Brightens or darkens your image. Don’t overdo it—it can hurt image quality on a phone.
- Highlights & Shadows: Adjust the brightest and darkest parts of your photo. Pulling highlights down and shadows up gives a softer, more even look.
- Contrast: Adds punch, but too much can make portraits look harsh.
- Saturation & Vibrance: Boost colours. Saturation affects all colours; vibrance is more subtle and often better for skin tones.
- Temperature & Tint: Adjust the warmth (yellow/blue) and tone (green/purple) of your image.
- Sharpness: Don’t rely on it to “fix” a blurry image—it won’t.
- Noise Reduction: Helps smooth grainy photos, especially ones taken in low light.
These are great tools to start learning the editing process before jumping into apps or software.
Free Editing Apps to Try (If You’re Not Ready for Lightroom Yet)
If you’re just starting out and don’t want to commit to paid software yet, here are a few free editing apps worth checking out:
- Snapseed (iOS + Android): A powerful photo editor by Google.
- Pixlr: A web-based app with some great AI features.
- Photopea: Think “Photoshop in your browser.” Supports PSD files too.
- Canva: Handy for basic adjustments and creating social media graphics.
Full transparency—I personally use Adobe Lightroom because I shoot in RAW and need to edit large files. But if you’re not there yet, these are great entry-level tools.
Why I Love Lightroom (and Why You Will Too)
Lightroom is my go-to because:
- It handles large RAW files easily.
- I can batch edit and apply presets.
- The mobile app means I can edit on the go.
- It syncs with my external hard drives and backups.
It’s also where I apply presets—those magic filters that make your photos pop (more on that in a second).
Let’s Talk Presets: The Fun Part
Presets are basically saved editing settings that apply a “look” to your image in one click. But—and this is key—they only enhance a good image. They don’t fix a bad one.
Different presets suit different lighting, moods, and editing styles. Some of my favorites:
- Trisha Victoria
- Sherita Ray
- Tara Sweeney
- G Presets
- Phil Chester
- Archipelago
Each has its own vibe. Some are warm and nostalgic, others more clean and true-to-life. If you’re wondering why a preset doesn’t look as good on your photos—consider how the original photographer shot and lit their images. It matters.
Also: don’t get stuck in preset paralysis. Pick one that fits your style and tweak from there. You can always save your version as a new preset.
AI Editing: Time-Saving Magic (With a Learning Curve)
Let’s be real: editing takes ages. That’s why AI editors have become game-changers.
Here are two I’ve tried:
Imagine AI
- Learns your editing style from your past Lightroom edits.
- Offers a clean, simple interface.
- You can purchase AI presets from other photographers.
- Downsides: You pay per photo, and it adds up fast.
Aftershoot
- Charges a flat monthly fee for unlimited editing.
- Can cull (i.e. pick the best photos) and edit entire galleries in minutes.
- Includes smart tools like straightening, cropping, and masking.
- Learns your editing style as you feed it more data.
- Get 10% off Aftershoot with this link
This isn’t about handing your work off to someone else—it’s about giving yourself a head start. AI gets you 80% of the way there, and you finish with the final tweaks.
A Few Final Editing Tips
Here are some little gems from my personal process:
- Use masks in Lightroom to isolate skin, eyes, or backgrounds.
- Dehaze is great for golden hour images that are too bright.
- Grain adds texture and a vintage feel—I love bumping it up to 50! Be careful with the size
- Tone curves and colour grading can add mood but take time to learn—watch a few YouTube videos if you’re new.
- Backup everything: I use two external hard drives and cloud storage for peace of mind.
Wrap-Up: Editing Is Where the Magic Happens
Editing is where your vision comes to life—from the moment you click the shutter to that final, polished image. Whether you’re using iPhone tools, experimenting with presets in Lightroom, or leveraging AI to save time, the goal is always the same:
Make better photos.
So play, experiment, tweak, and grow. And remember—great edits start with great captures. Nail your composition, lighting, and settings first, and then let your editing elevate the rest.
CREATIVE SHOTS CHECKLIST
🎉 I’ve put together a downloadable shot list combining everything from our Creative Shots and Composition podcast episodes. Think: framing, leading lines, movement, blur, GIFs, and more. You’ll be able to use it like a checklist during your sessions. Here’s the link!
I refer to this before EVERY session to make sure i’m adding variety to my images and not capture the same boring image.
What’s Next?
Next week we’ll be wrapping up this mini course and kicking off a brand new series. So tell me:
- Who are you?
- Why do you listen?
- What do you want to learn next?
DM me on Insta so I can make sure this podcast (and these blogs!) are exactly what you need.
Thanks for being here, and as always—go make better photos. 💛
