Behind the Scenes of a Creative Space: My wedding photography Workspace and Editing Setup
Hey there! Ever wondered what the hubbub of creativity looks like behind closed doors? Well, you're in for a treat! We're about to peel back the curtain and give you an exclusive peek into my very own creative sanctuary - the place where all the magic happens. Ready for a whirlwind tour of my personal space where inspiration (and a fair bit of procrastination) collides with hard work?
An up-close look at where the magic happens. Take a peek into my office and editing setup. Perfect for budding photographers seeking inspiration or anyone curious about the behind-the-scenes of creative wedding photography.
My Workspace: Where Creativity Meets Chill
Guess what? My workspace is not just a spot in my house; it's a carefully crafted haven that keeps my creative juices flowing and my spirits high! I've got this amazing, custom-built wall-mounted desk that spans the entire room, plenty of space for my computer setup, prints, albums, gear I'm prepping, and a few quirky trinkets for inspiration. Oh, and we've got cable management built in - no crazy cables lying all over the place!
The room is a soothing emerald green with a few pops of yellow. Natural light comes from the side, no backlighting on calls or glare on the monitor, and plenty opportunity for gazing outside while I'm pondering. And when it comes to taking a moment away from the work and switching to chill mode, there's a cushy sofa, a wall-mounted TV and my PlayStation 5. It's all about balance. This cosy nook really turns the dial up on creativity while keeping the vibes utterly relaxed and genuinely me.
To ramp up the vibe a bit, I've thrown in some greenery - even though I'm terrible at plant watering. So, I went with a Snake Plant and Pothos - they're pretty tough! Oh, and some Lego flowers for fun (and because they don't need watering)!
Above my desk, I've got a custom-built, wall-mounted shelving unit inspired by those Danish mid-century designs. That's where I stash my cameras, lenses, and a few favourite books.
My Toolbox of Choice
Now, onto my computer—the 2023 Apple Mac Mini M2 Pro which, paired with the glorious 27" 5K Apple Studio Display, makes photo and video editing a breeze - plenty desktop real estate, fast Apple silicon and a decent number of ports to connect all my drives.
Talking about drives, I keep and edit my RAW images and Log video on Samsung T7 SSDs (soon to be upgraded to the faster T9) - usually one for each year. They're small and tough enough to tag along when I'm away at a wedding and speedy enough that there's no delay when editing. I also rely on an 8TB G-Drive HDD for on-site backups.
When it comes to software, I rely on a mix of Adobe Lightroom Classic and Adobe Photoshop 2024 for my editing needs. I also use Photo Mechanic for culling - it's super speedy and ensures that only the best shots make it into my Lightroom collections and previews. Once the edits are wrapped up, I give my images that final touch of magic by running them through a custom preset in Exposure X7.
For video, I use Final Cut Pro X, along with it's iPad counterpart. Being an Apple fan, I find the seamless integration between devices and software to be a huge time saver. And let's not forget about music - for my wedding videos and slideshows, I love using Epidemic Sound for royalty-free tracks that perfectly set the mood.
Wedding photography is all about delivering amazing service to couples, so I use Pic-Time to take care of my online gallery service and print shop. I can upload images, create slideshows, and choose the right print labs to make sure couples get top-quality products when they purchase from me, all with as little fuss and admin on my end as possible.
Bits and Bobs
So, what else takes pride of place on the desk? Aside from a never-ending supply of coffee and my trusty notebook, I also have an Apple iPad Pro for quick edits on the go or for when I need to do more detailed work where an Apple Pencil comes in handy. I have a cheap visual pomodoro timer to help me stay focused during longer editing sessions, and a set of AirPods Max noise cancelling headphones for when I need to really get in the zone.
The newest addition is the Blue Yeti microphone - an essential for recording voiceovers, video content, or conducting virtual client meetings.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, every creative has their own set of tools that work best for them. Whether you're a wedding photographer, videographer, or any other type of creative, it's important to find your own workflow and use tools that enhance your productivity and creativity.
For those itching to dive into the world of wedding photography or already paddling in the shallows and eager to wade deeper, picture having a friendly guide by your side. Together, we'll explore the ins and outs of wedding photography workflows, from handling those gigabytes of images to crafting breathtaking albums that'll leave your clients swooning. I'll customize our sessions to fit you like a glove, zeroing in on the areas you're most eager to master. Whether you're a newbie to wedding photography or a pro seeking a sounding board for ideas, count on me to share the tips and tricks that paved my own wedding photography journey to success. Just get in touch for more info.
