While most of a photograph’s mood comes as the shot is captured, the final edit often plays a role in the overall feel of a portrait. Adjusting colors, shadows, contrast and more helps finish telling the story. This week, we’re featuring five photographers capturing emotional subjects in moody images. Find editing inspiration and advice from this week’s Photo of the Week artists Akis Douzlatzis, Salisha Blackburn, Nina Twardowska-Lukasik and Darek Lukasik, and Elise Marsman.

Akis Douzlatzis

Inspired by the Martin Scorsese film Gangs of New York, photographer Akis Douzlatzis (@akisdouzlatzis) wanted to create moody images that told a story and encompassed the emotions of the era. He created this portrait with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and a 50mm f1.8 lens. He used a three-light set-up, with the main light left of the camera with an octabox, fill light behind the camera with an umbrella and a background light with a grid. He also used a silver reflector to fill in under the face.

For beginners learning to edit, Douzlatzis says, “Keep it simple and keep it real. That’s it.”

Salisha Blackburn, Storybook Photography

For this shot, Salisha Blackburn of Storybook Photography was inspired by the power of Yosemite Falls in the spring. The spring elopement hit during the waterfall’s peak flow, so the photographer knew photographs under the falls would be epic. She captured the shot with the Nikon Z6 II and the Nikon Z 28-75mm f2.8 lens.

“For this particular shot I set Jucy and Chris up on a rock and asked them to interact with each other naturally, and they did an amazing job of posing,” Blackburn says. “Chris nuzzled his nose into her cheek and she gazed right into my camera as the force of the water falling created wind to blow her hair. Shooting at Yosemite Falls is nothing short of dramatic and inspiring, and I look forward to more brave couples to work with in future peak water flow seasons!”

Nina Twardowska-Lukasik and Darek Lukasik, Nina & Darek

This shot was a result of a spontaneous photo shoot, explained Nina Twardowska-Lukasik and Darek Lukasik of Nina & Darek. When friends Marika and Michal came over for dinner, the photographers styled them in vintage clothes and headed out to the lake, spending 15 minutes creating moody images in what the photography duo says was the most magical sunset they’ve experienced. Nina & Darek used a Canon R6 and a Canon 5D Mark IV and an assortment of lenses — a 35mm Sigma Art, a Canon 85mm 1.4, and a Canon 70-200mm f2.8 during this shoot.

“Moody style is not the result of editing, but it’s the style of shooting, so the best way to get into it is to start underexposing your photos in camera,” the photographers explain.

Elise Marsman, Elise Marsman Photography

For Elise Marsman of Elise Marsman Photography, blue hour just after the sun has set is one of the best times to capture the colors of the sky. For this session, it was a windy and cold October day, so she asked the couple to snuggle in close for this one last shot. She captured this image with the Canon 5D Mark III and a Canon 50mm f1.2 L lens.

“Don’t be afraid to try something different,” Marsman advises.

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: [email protected].