I don’t get ask this question that often, but often enough to need to address it, right here, right now: No, you do not receive every photo I take when I deliver your gallery, nor will I give you the raw files to edit yourself. Why?

Well…

1.) THEY DON’T ALL TURN OUT

Remember, I come at this from the perspective of journalism, so when I am in a groove I shoot in triplicate and I shoot fast—sometimes faster than my shutter. This means there are always a few duplicates and a few blurry photos. Why would I send those over to you and waste your time with subpar images?

2.) I SHOOT FOR MY EDITING STYLE…NOT YOURS (OR YOUR AUNT’S)

I get that in this day and age, we all have a friend or family member who is getting into photography. I totally get it why so many people want to enter this field–and as a communicator, I love it! With that said, however, I sometimes get asked if I will just shoot the images and then hand them over for someone else to edit. The answer is always no. The settings on my camera are specific to how I edit my images to achieve my light and airy film vibe. If someone who is more dark and moody tries to edit my images as such, it will not work and the images run the risk of being disastrous.

3.) I AM NOT SELLING A PRODUCT, BUT RATHER A SERVICE

When you pay your retainer and save your wedding date with me, you are saying yes to my service. Yes, in the end you will have a gorgeous gallery full of memories that tell the story of your loveliest adventure, but you receive so much more. You will receive education and guidance with your planning, an extra couple sets of hands on your wedding day to help with all the things, and help after-the-fact to archive your moments. Your wedding photography experience shouldn’t create more work for you—it should alleviate some of it, actually—so I don’t send subpar images or make you do the editing. Don’t worry about missing out on anything; you are hiring me as a professional, so trust that I will send you only the best of the best of your best day ever. I will leave no memory forgotten, pinky promise.

So there. That’s why I don’t release every photo I capture on your wedding day. Now let’s put this behind us and move on to the good things: Your KLP Wedding Experience! 

On Mondays we educate! Check out the blog every Monday for a new post to help you plan your wedding your way! Find past posts here!

Kayla Lee is a Minnesota-based wedding and elopement photographer. She provides services to elegant, authentic, sentimental couples who not only choose their own adventures, but also live them to the fullest! See more about the KLP Wedding Experience!