Why You Shouldn’t Re-Edit or Alter Your Photographer’s Photos

This blog post is a far off topic from what I normally write about, but it’s been on my mind (and heart) lately so I felt compelled to share it with you! The pieces of information I’m writing about below may not even be on your radar if you’re not in the creative or photography industries, and that’s okay! No matter your age, we never stop learning. I hope to enlighten you with some new knowledge as you continue reading on and learn more about respecting a photographer’s style while also avoiding any issues with copyright laws! While this blog post mostly pertains to the idea of wedding and engagement photos, the overall idea can certainly be applied to any type of photography.

Avoid Photo Editing Apps & Filters

In our contracts Arturo and I have with our clients (as well as those of many other photographers we know), it states that the photographs we are delivering are not to be altered or edited in any way. This means that the digital file we deliver to them is to remain the exact way they received it; so no third-party editing apps, don’t add a filter to it on Instagram, etc. These are the places I most often see professional photographers’ work altered in, and it’s a big no-no in the photography world!

Misrepresentation of Photography Work

Why avoid filters and editing apps, you ask? Well, there are certainly a wide variety of reasons that I could go on and on about, but one of the biggest ones is that once you alter the photo, it is no longer a clear representation of your photographer’s work. In fact, it becomes a misrepresentation of not only their work, but their entire business, portfolio, and artistic photography style. Photographers work incredibly hard to create a clear message across their business and brand, as well as a consistent portfolio, so for these reasons alone, their work shouldn’t be touched by anyone but them.

Photography Style

When you were searching for a wedding photographer, I’m sure you scanned through the websites and portfolios of at least a few photographers, right? After doing so, you eventually found a photographer whose work you loved and ultimately booked them to document your day. If you only take one thing away from this blog post, this is it: you hired your photographer because you enjoyed their photography style! You invested money in their services and your photos, so why change them?

Expectations of Others

Slapping an Instagram filter on your professional photographs is not only a misrepresentation of your photographer’s shooting and editing style, but also muddies up the waters for what other people can expect from your photographer. To be honest, it’s also a bit of a slap in the face to your photographer who worked so hard to create that final image for you! Many of our new clients find us through referrals from friends and family as our past clients share their images online. We love when our couples share their wedding photos online (and give us proper photo credit!), and we enjoy it even more when a friend or family member reaches out for us to photograph their wedding! If every one of our couples who shared their wedding photos online changed the appearance of the photos we delivered them, I doubt we’d have the same amount of people finding us through social media referrals.

Violation of Copyright Laws

Remember that while you paid for photography services and other products that may have come with them, you most likely don’t hold the copyrights to the photographs delivered to you. In most cases, editing or altering the photos you receive from your photographer is a violation of the contract you hold with them, as well as copyright laws. While these scenarios might seem daunting to think about, the easiest way to avoid any trouble surrounding them is to simply leave your photos the way they were delivered to you.

This post wasn’t written to shame anyone who may have re-edited their professional photos, but rather share fresh knowledge as to why it should be avoided in the future. Your photographer worked many hours to shoot and edit each of the photos you received, so share and print them as is!

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, and beyond.  We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love. 

Are you planning a proposal, engagement session, or wedding?