Before & Ta-Dahhh | The Big Reveal

This photo of Kate coming down the stairs and making her debut in her dress is one of my all-time favourite wedding photos!
I originally had something different in mind but one of Kate’s bridesmaids went upstairs while I was waiting in the hall and their reflection in the glass of a frame on the wall caught my eye.
It was tricky finding an angle with enough reflection to make it work but I just had time to take a couple of test shots to find the best position before Kate came bouncing into the photo with an excited scream!
It was one of those photos where observation, preparation and an open-mind came together with a brilliant moment. Kate knew nothing about what I had in mind but by being her fun bubbly self she totally brought the picture together.
But the photo needed a helping a hand to make it extra magical. Here’s the ‘before’ image – or straight out of camera (or SOOC) as us photographers call it…

SVP Likes: Kate’s expression is priceless. And the reflection in the glass adds an interesting layer.
SVP Dislikes: The overall exposure is okay but Kate’s face is a little dark. There’s a lot of ceiling showing which doesn’t add anything to the photo (I deliberately shoot moments like this extra-wide, to give me flexibility as the moment unfolds, knowing I can crop later). The colour is cold and there are some distracting elements, especially on the right-hand side, drawing attention away from Kate.
SVP TLC: 1/ The image was colour corrected, adding warm tones to match the image to the original scene. 2/ Areas of the image were lightened, especially Kate herself, putting the radiance back. 3/ The curtain edge, incomplete painting, bannister top and thermostat on the wall were carefully removed … not forgetting the curtain reflected in the painting! And finally, 4/ the photo was cropped improving the composition and making Kate the star of the show.
Clever this. No longer, “what you see you get”.
Very time consuming though!