Charlotte NC Maternity Photo Session (Watch Me Edit!)

What Goes Into Editing a Luxury Studio Maternity Portrait

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Hand Editing Process

When clients choose Carrie Howland Photography, they aren’t just investing in a maternity photo session — they’re investing in a fully custom, hand-edited photographic experience from start to finish.

In today’s blog post, I’m sharing something I don’t often show publicly: a real-time video of me hand editing a studio maternity portrait, from the very first adjustment to the final polished image. This behind-the-scenes look gives you a clear understanding of what goes into creating the refined, magazine-quality maternity portraits my studio is known for here in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Why Editing Is Just as Important as the Session Itself

Luxury maternity photography doesn’t end when the camera is put away. In fact, a significant part of the artistry happens after your session — during the editing process.

Every image you see on my website has been:

Carefully selected
Individually retouched
Refined with a consistent, timeless aesthetic
Finished by hand, not outsourced or batch-processed

This level of attention is one of the reasons my clients return again and again — and why my work feels polished, elevated, and enduring.

Watch: Hand Editing a Studio Maternity Portrait From Start to Finish

In the video below, you’ll see exactly how I edit one of my studio maternity images, step by step. This is the same process I use for every client who books a maternity session in my studio.

WATCH VIDEO HERE

Step 1: Image Selection & Artistic Vision

Before any editing begins, I select images based on:

Flattering angles and posture
Beautiful light and shadow
Emotional presence
How the image fits into the overall gallery

Editing always starts with a clear artistic intention — not presets or automation.

Step 2: Exposure, Color, and Tone Refinement

Once the base image is chosen, I refine:

Skin tones to appear natural and luminous
Highlights and shadows for soft dimension
Overall exposure

Because studio lighting is intentional and controlled, these adjustments are subtle — the goal is polish, not overprocessing.

Step 3: Skin Retouching (Done Gently and Naturally)

One of the most common questions I hear is: “Do you retouch skin?”
The answer is yes — thoughtfully and respectfully.

During this step, I:

Smooth skin without removing texture
Reduce temporary blemishes
Maintain natural curves, freckles, and features
Wardrobe adjustments (wrinkles, bra strap removal, bulging, cellulite removal, etc.)
Subtle toning of arms and chin
Ensure the final image still looks like you

Luxury editing should enhance, not erase.

Step 4: Fine Art Details & Finishing Touches

This is where the image truly comes together.

Final refinements include:

Enhancing fabric texture and gown flow
Refining contrast for depth
Subtle shaping to highlight the baby bump
Ensuring consistency across the full gallery
Artistic elements such as overlays or textures

These finishing touches are what elevate an image from “beautiful” to heirloom-quality.

Why I Edit Every Image Myself

After more than 14 years of experience photographing maternity and newborn clients, I believe the editing process is far too important to outsource.

When you book with my studio, you are hiring me — my eye, my experience, and my hands — for every step of the process.

This is especially important for maternity portraits, where trust, sensitivity, and artistry matter deeply.

Studio Maternity Photography in Charlotte, NC

My studio is designed to offer a luxury, stress-free maternity experience, complete with:

A curated client wardrobe
Professional posing guidance
Magazine-quality lighting
Custom editing for every final image

Whether you prefer soft, classic portraits or bold, editorial styling, each session is tailored specifically to you.

Ready to Book Your Luxury Maternity Session?

If you’re expecting and looking for a custom studio maternity photographer in Charlotte, NC, I would love to create something beautiful for you.

See Studio Portfolio

Check Out Some of My Gowns

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