Wedding Photographer Culling Notes Template
Target keyword: wedding photographer culling notes
Culling notes tell your editor which images to keep before editing even begins. Without clear instructions, editors make judgment calls that don't match your style — wrong coverage priority, missed must-have moments, or too many images from the wrong part of the day. This template gives you a complete culling brief format for every wedding.
When to use this template
- →You outsource the culling step to a dedicated culling editor or service
- →You use a VA or second shooter to make the first pass of selects
- →You want to document your culling process for consistency across your team
What to include
- Estimated raw image count and target delivery count
- Coverage order by priority (ceremony first, or portraits first?)
- Must-include shot types (all formal combinations, all ring close-ups, all altar wides)
- Images to exclude (unflattering moments, eyes closed, misfires, blurry)
- How to handle burst series and duplicate shots
- Face check priority: sharp eyes on couple vs. more lenient for guest candids
- Second shooter file handling
- Delivery method (Lightroom flags, star ratings, separate folder)
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Example brief excerpt
## Culling Notes — Sophie & Ethan **Total Files:** ~3,200 RAW | **Target Select Count:** 580–640 ### Coverage Priority 1. Ceremony (include every 5 min minimum) 2. Portraits / first look 3. Reception key moments 4. Details and getting ready 5. Guest candids (lighter cull) ### Must-Include - All ring close-ups (keep sharpest from each series) - Every formal family grouping (at least 2 per grouping) - Altar wide every 5 minutes during ceremony - All bouquet detail shots ### Burst Handling Keep best 1 from each burst of similar shots. Exception: first kiss, first dance dip — keep 3 best.
Frequently asked questions
How many images should a wedding photographer deliver?
Industry standard is 50–80 images per hour of coverage. For an 8-hour wedding, that's typically 400–640 fully edited images. From a 3,000-image shoot, that means culling to roughly 15–20% of the original files.
Should I cull before or after sending to an outsourced editor?
Always cull first if possible — it reduces the file size you need to transfer and speeds up editing turnaround. If you outsource both culling and editing to the same person, you can send raw files with your culling brief attached.
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