Ten Years in California: Reflecting on Growth, Change, and Editing Style

Manny
Feb 16, 2020
4 min read

Updated: Apr 5

**Update April 2025

It’s been five years since my last blog post. At the time, I was transitioning to a new server, which left me missing the simplicity of my old WordPress blog. Losing my previous content made blogging feel less rewarding, so I stepped away.

Since then, life has been a whirlwind. With a growing workload, I’ve simplified my editing process, focusing exclusively on natural edits. This shift reflects not only a streamlined approach but also changes in my style, influenced by a switch from Canon to Sony gear.

From Canon to Sony

Sony cameras bring vibrant, dynamic colors that give my natural edits a fresh, vivid look. While I still adjust color balance, contrast, and cropping, the goal remains to deliver timeless, authentic images. Occasionally, I’ll clean up distractions, but simplicity and realism are at the core of my work.

Looking Ahead

Although I’ve left stylized edits behind, this new approach ensures a cohesive experience for clients. Photography is about preserving moments honestly, and I’m excited to continue refining my craft

**Original Post

It’s hard to believe it’s been over a decade since I moved from Seattle to Southern California. As a wedding photographer, my days are split between capturing unforgettable moments and editing those precious memories. Truth be told, editing often takes up more time than shooting—a reality that many in the industry can relate to.

When I started out, I followed a common approach: selecting only the best 300 or so photos from a wedding and leaving the rest behind. This method keeps the finished product polished and reinforces the photographer’s reputation as a professional. While it makes the job easier, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I might be throwing away someone’s cherished memory just because the photo wasn’t “perfect.” That perspective led me to where I am today—I edit every photo.

A New Chapter in Business and Identity

When I first moved to California, I shot weddings with a partner under the name IMA Foto. My partner has since moved on, leaving me to run the company solo. While the name remained unchanged for years because of the logistics involved, a recent shift in markets—moving from primarily San Diego to Temecula and North County San Diego—presented the perfect opportunity to reevaluate my business. Along with this move, I decided to launch a new website and adopt a new name that aligns with this fresh start.

What Does This Have to Do with Editing Style?

As I worked on the design for the new website, I couldn’t help but notice how much my editing style has evolved over time. This realization reinforced my decision to offer clients two sets of photos: a natural edit and a more creative edit. While the creative edit often seems to be the favorite, I can’t help but wonder how these stylized photos will be viewed decades from now. Will clients appreciate the creative touch in 10 years—or even 30?

To explore my editing journey, I went back into the archives and pulled old wedding photos to show a comparison between the original RAW files, the images delivered to clients, and my current edits.

1. Original RAW Photo: When opened in Lightroom—my editing software of choice—photos appear flat and neutral. This intentional design gives photographers full control over the final look. It’s a stark contrast to shooting with a phone or compact camera, where processing is done automatically.

2. 2010 Edit: This is the version my clients received about ten years ago. I revisited some of these photos for an older blog post, refining them to create what I thought was a much better edit.

3. 2020 Natural Edit: My natural edits now showcase the colors and tones as I see them on my editing computer. Details are more vivid, though they can lose some nuance during compression for uploads.

4. 2020 Stylized Edit: My stylized edits are crafted to enhance skin textures and tones while maintaining a pleasing aesthetic. Some examples may not fully illustrate this, especially when the subject—like Nina—has naturally flawless skin.

5. 2020 Alternative Stylized Edit: When accuracy is no longer a constraint, I edit based purely on what feels visually appealing.

6. Black & White Edit: Some moments simply call for black and white—a choice that can evoke emotion or enhance the mood in ways color cannot.

Conclusion: Looking Forward

When I’m hired to document a wedding, my goal is not only to recreate the moments but to add my personal touch to how these memories are preserved. Has my editing style truly improved? Or will I look back in ten years and cringe at today’s edits the way I sometimes do at those from a decade ago? Only time will tell.

What I do know is this: my clients will always receive a clean, timeless edit alongside the creative touches. This balance ensures their memories remain vibrant and unfiltered—ready to stand the test of time

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