How to review and refine your editing presets and techniques

Regularly auditing your editing style ensures your brand stays modern while refined presets slash the time you spend behind the screen, allowing you to focus on more billable hours. Your editing is your "signature"; keeping it consistent ensures that the work a client sees in your portfolio matches exactly what they receive in their final gallery.

Why refine your style?

Editing trends move fast. What looked fresh two years ago might feel dated today. By reviewing your work every six months, you prevent "edit creep"—where your style slowly drifts away from your intended brand aesthetic. This process ensures your skin tones remain natural and your colour palette stays cohesive across different lighting conditions.

How to update your workflow

1. Select a cross-section: Pull 10–20 images from various recent shoots (e.g., indoor, outdoor, different lighting).
2. Identify inconsistencies: Look for shifts in contrast, grain, or white balance. Do the blacks look too blue? Are the highlights blown out?
3. Tweak your base preset: Open a typical image and adjust your settings until they perfectly represent your current vision. Save this as your new "Master Preset".
4. Create "utility" presets: Speed up repetitive tasks by creating mini-presets for specific fixes, such as a "Lens Correction On" toggle or a "Soft Skin" brush setting.

Pro Tip: Always test your updated presets on images shot in different lighting—overcast days, golden hour, and harsh midday sun—to ensure they are versatile enough for everyday use.

Organising for speed

As you refine your techniques, keep your software organised. Group presets into folders by lighting type or shoot style. Clear naming conventions, such as "2024_Signature_Warm" or "Black_and_White_Moody", will save you seconds on every photo, which adds up to hours saved over a busy month.