Why Aperture Priority Is Killing Your Gallery

Let’s talk exposure.

You’re shooting fast. The light’s changing. The moment is everything. You hit the shutter — and the image is blown out. Or worse, underexposed and muddy.

Why? Because aperture priority decided a white dress = snowstorm.

Let’s be true .

Manual mode isn’t about being extra. It’s about being in control.

Here’s the thing: aperture priority is fine… until it’s not. It’s trusting your camera to make the final call in once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Manual mode isn’t about being extra. It’s about being in control.

• You set the ISO.

• You choose the shutter.

• You lock exposure.

• You tell the camera what the light is – not the other way around.

What you get:

• Cleaner, more consistent galleries

• Faster editing

• No color jumps or exposure roulette

• Less time fixing things in post

Real-life win: Indoor ceremony. Mixed lighting. Manual nailed every frame from aisle to altar. Aperture priority? Botched the kiss.

Manual takes practice. So did Lightroom. You’ve got this.

Want consistent editing? Start with consistent shooting. Then hand off the rest to The Ginger Lab – we’ll take it from there.

Sony VS Fuji

We recently set up a little photo showdown. Same orchard, same light, two cameras — Fuji X100F and Sony A7 IV + 50mm 1.4.

And very different vibes.

Sony 1.jpg

Fuji 1.jpg

View fullsize

Sony 2.jpg

View fullsize

Fuji 2.jpg

Fuji delivered intense, saturated colors right out of camera. Blues turned electric, pinks leaned unnatural. The overall rendering, though, still feels organic.

Sony came out softer and more neutral. The tones felt calmer, closer to a film look without much work. Less saturation, more subtlety.

So, which one’s better?

Depends on your story.

• Want maximum quality, film look SOOC and editing flexibility? Sony’s your tool.

• Want something compact with personality? Fuji’s your friend.

Sometimes it’s not about specs — it’s about how a camera makes you shoot.

Which look do you prefer?

Better Consistency

Here’s something we’ve learned after editing hundreds of thousands of photos:


Consistency starts before you even upload.

If you want smoother edits, faster turnarounds, and results that match your vision to a T, try these 3 dead-simple tweaks on your next shoot:

Consistency starts before you even upload

1. Lock in your white balance.
2. Use the same lens for key parts of the day.
3. Keep your exposure consistent.

1. Lock in your white balance. (easy peasy)Auto WB = chaos in post. Set it manually. Stick with it. Your future self (and editor) will thank you.

2. Use the same lens for key parts of the day. (pro move)Switching lenses is fine—but if you want consistency, try to shoot portraits or ceremony shots with the same focal length. Different lenses render color and contrast differently, which can affect the final edit more than you think.

3. Keep your exposure consistent. (boss-level stuff)Use manual mode as much as possible—big shifts in brightness between shots make it harder to create that clean, filmic look across the set.

Want more tips like this? Just tell us what you’re struggling with—we’ll send tailored advice straight to your inbox.

Struggling With Bookings? Here’s Why.

Marketing only when you need bookings is like planting seeds and expecting a full garden the next day. It just doesn’t work that way.

We see this all the time - photographers show up on Instagram when things slow down, post a few times, maybe run an ad… then disappear the second they get busy again.

Then, when inquiries dry up, panic sets in.

But here’s the thing: marketing isn’t something you do when you need clients. It’s something you do so you’re never without them.

The photographers who stay booked? They don’t scramble. They don’t wonder where their next inquiry is coming from. They stay visible - posting, emailing, running ads - all the things that keep their pipeline full.

But if you ghost your audience for months and suddenly show up because you need bookings? Crickets.

Here’s the truth:

📸 Every social media post reminds people you exist.📸 Every email keeps you top of mind.📸 Every ad puts you in front of new potential clients.

And that’s where we come in.

At The Ginger Lab, we take editing off your plate so you can focus on what actually grows your business - marketing, networking, and delivering an amazing client experience.

When you’re not buried in hours of editing, you have more time to show up, book more shoots, and keep your calendar full.

Marketing is a long game. If you want steady bookings, you have to stay consistent - even when you're busy.

Let us handle the editing so you can focus on the growth.

🚀 Ready to take back your time? Try us for free today.

Sync Event Photos Like a Pro

Ever struggled to sync the timestamps on multiple cameras during an event? Keeping your shots aligned is a game-changer, especially with second shooters. Here’s how experienced photographers handle it:

1. Manual Sync: Before the session, set the same time on all cameras with your second shooter. This keeps your timestamps perfectly aligned.

2. Online Tools: Use a clock like time.is to sync your cameras to the second before you start.

3. Reference Shot: Snap a pic of your phone showing the time (e.g., World Clock app) at the start of your shoot. Use it in Lightroom later for precise syncing.

4. Pre-Shoot Check: Always verify and sync camera times during setup. Even third shooters will thank you later!

These simple tricks will make your editing so much smoother.

Common Wedding Photographer Mistakes We See as Photo Editors

As photo editors, we’ve worked with millions of wedding photos, and trust us - some mistakes keep popping up. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned photographer, here are some common slip-ups we’ve seen and, more importantly, how to avoid them to level up your game!

1. Missed Key Moments

   The problem: Not enough shots during big moments - like the ring exchange or first look. If someone blinks or is out of focus, that moment has gone forever.
   Pro tip: Use continuous shooting mode for key moments. You’ll have plenty of options to choose from and guarantee you capture the magic.

2. Backlighting Gone Wrong

   The problem: Shooting directly into the light can result in washed-out photos or lost details.
   Pro tip: Learn to master backlighting! Proper exposure and tools like reflectors or fill flash can save your shot.

3. Not Preparing for Lighting Changes

   The problem: From bright outdoor ceremonies to dim receptions, wedding lighting is tricky. Poor preparation leads to overexposed or underexposed photos.
   Pro tip: Scout the venue and bring gear for every lighting situation. Adjust settings on the fly to get perfect exposure every time.

4. Dirty Lenses

   The problem: Smudges and dust can mess with focus and sharpness, especially in low-light settings.
   Pro tip: Keep your lenses clean! Check them regularly, especially before important shots.

5. Overusing Wide-Angle Lenses

   The problem: Wide-angle lenses are great for capturing the scene but can distort your subjects and lose intimacy.
   Pro tip: Mix it up! Use medium and close-up shots to capture emotions and details, creating a balanced gallery.

6. Lazy Composition

   The problem: Shooting with tilted horizons or too much clutter, thinking you can fix it later with cropping, often results in lower-quality images.
   Pro tip: Get it right in-camera! Align horizons, avoid clutter, and be mindful of the background. This saves you time in editing and results in cleaner shots.

7. Poor Group Posing

   The problem: Someone’s always looking away or blinking. Group photos can be a nightmare without proper coordination.
   Pro tip: Take multiple shots and direct your groups with clear, concise instructions to keep things moving smoothly.

8. Not Shooting in RAW

   The problem: Shooting in JPEG to save space limits your ability to make serious edits without losing quality.
   Pro tip: Always shoot in RAW for maximum editing flexibility. It makes post-processing so much easier!

9. Ignoring Detail Shots

   The problem: Missing those beautiful close-ups of rings, flowers, or décor means you’re missing a vital part of the wedding story.
   Pro tip: Create a must-have checklist for the detail shots to ensure nothing is overlooked.

10. Not Directing Couples

    The problem: Many couples aren’t naturals in front of the camera and need direction to feel and look comfortable.
    Pro tip: Guide them with prompts to help them relax, ensuring genuine emotion and beautiful moments.

11. No Backup Plan

    The problem: Horror stories of lost photos happen way too often. Equipment fails, memory cards corrupt, and files get deleted.
    Pro tip: Have a solid backup strategy in place. Use dual memory card slots and back everything up as soon as possible.

12. Inconsistent Shooting Style

    The problem: Jumping from one subject to another without consistency creates a jarring viewing experience.
    Pro tip: Plan ahead, keep calm, and stay focused on telling a cohesive story.

By avoiding these mistakes and improving your attention to detail, you’ll take your wedding photography to the next level. Happy shooting!

10 Compelling Reasons to Shoot in RAW Format

As a wedding photographer, capturing the finest details and ensuring the highest quality of your images is crucial. One way to achieve this is by shooting in RAW format. If you're still on the fence about making the switch from JPEG, here are ten compelling reasons to start shooting in RAW today.

1. Unmatched Image Quality

RAW files capture all the data from your camera’s sensor, providing the highest possible quality. This means you'll have richer details and better color accuracy in your images compared to JPEGs, which compress and lose some data during processing.

2. Greater Editing Flexibility

Editing RAW files gives you more control over your photos. Adjusting exposure, white balance, and color correction is much easier and more effective with RAW files because you have all the original data at your disposal. This flexibility is essential for making precise adjustments that maintain the integrity of your images.

3. Enhanced Dynamic Range

RAW files have a higher dynamic range, allowing you to recover details in both highlights and shadows that would be lost in a JPEG. This is particularly beneficial in wedding photography, where lighting conditions can vary dramatically.

4. Non-Destructive Editing

When you edit a RAW file, the changes are stored in a separate file or within the editing software's database, not in the original RAW file. This means you can always revert to the original image without losing any data or quality.

5. Better Color Depth

RAW files record more color information (typically 12 or 14 bits per channel) than JPEGs (8 bits per channel). This extra color depth allows for smoother gradients and more precise color adjustments, essential for capturing the true essence of your subjects.

6. Improved Noise Reduction

RAW files offer better noise reduction capabilities, especially at high ISO settings. With RAW, you can apply noise reduction algorithms more effectively, preserving detail while reducing unwanted grain.

7. Increased Sharpening Control

JPEG files apply in-camera sharpening, which can’t be undone and might not be suitable for all images. RAW files allow you to control the sharpening process during post-production, giving you the flexibility to adjust according to each image's specific needs.

8. Correct Exposure Issues

Shooting in RAW makes it easier to correct exposure problems. Whether you’ve underexposed or overexposed an image, RAW files retain more information, making recovery more effective and preserving image quality.

9. Professional Standard

Most professional photographers prefer RAW for its quality and flexibility. Using RAW files demonstrates a commitment to quality and professionalism, which can enhance your reputation and client trust.

10. Archival Benefits

RAW files are ideal for archiving important photos. They contain all the original data captured by your camera, ensuring you have the highest quality files available for future re-edits or reprints as technology improves.

Switching to RAW may require more storage space and post-processing time, but the benefits far outweigh these drawbacks. By shooting in RAW, you'll ensure that you capture the best possible images, offering superior quality and flexibility that will set your work apart.

Ready to make the switch? Start shooting in RAW and see the difference in your photography quality and workflow.