How I edit my photos ✨

Edited and updated: April 2026

Helloo!! So today’s topic is going to be how i edit my photos! 

Generally I like my pictures to look like they belong in a soft daydream and I’ll be real, it took me a while to find my “look”, but once i did, it made editing so much easier (and faster). So here is the thought process of how I take pictures and decide how to edit!

Candidsm

This is my editing and photo taking philosophy. i call it candidsm. It may not be a real word, but you'll get what i mean!! a mix of “candid” and “realism”. It’s about keeping the photo a little raw, a little imperfect, like a snapshot from a memory instead of a photoshoot. not every picture needs to be crystal clear or symmetrical. sometimes a blurry laugh or a crooked photo feels more like life!!

so when i edit, i don’t try to fix every flaw, i just bring out the warmth, the softness, the mood~~~ because being candid is not being flawless; it’s about being felt and seen in the moment.

Natural Lighting!!

i almost never edit lighting too much because i try to shoot in soft natural light. Like mornings or golden hour. Make sure you're not under harsh afternoon light. I always believe that cloudy days are still better than SUPER sunny days.

Import & pick your faves

I usually use my Fujifilm camera or iPhone to take pictures. If you're worried of getting the right shot, a foolproof way to get the best pics is to use the burst function on your iPhone. Once I take a bunch of pics, I will dump them into my laptop or phone and start favouriting the ones that feel right. I like to turn on Live photos or use the burst function because I can choose specific ones. I look for photos that tell a little story. like a half-eaten dessert, a messy table after coffee with friends, sunlight hitting my hair just right.

your pics shouldn’t just show you, they should show that you’re living in the moment. that’s what makes them alive.

Apps I use

okay the secret sauce!! here’s my editing rotation:

• Lightroom mobile app or even your default Photo app: for colour tones, brightness, shadows. I mainly use lightroom if i need to add a grain effect

• Pitu: If I need to get rid of blemishes or want my photos to have more of an airbrushed feel

• Adobe Photoshop: for removing random people behind

• Adobe Illustrator and Canva: if I need to create stickers of my pictures

My go-to edit settings

Every photo’s a bit different, but i usually:

• lower highlights and contrast a little

• bump up exposure and warmth

• add a tiny bit of grain for texture

• sometimes shift tint slightly orange or blue depending on what vibe i'm going for

Final check

Before posting, i always check if my feed looks cosy and not too over-filtered. sometimes i’ll even put my phone brightness to 50% to see how it looks to others (pro tip!). if I think it's okay, then it passes the vibe check.

Editing should be fun, not stressful. I usually don’t chase perfection. And don't be afraid to pick an "ugly" photo to you. But with that experience, i've learnt to accept my flaws and now i believe the best photos are the ones that feel like you, not like someone else’s preset pack! So get creative and find your style - and that’s it!

see you in my next post ♡

xx carmbells