My Music Go-to's for Photo Editing

It’s been a surprisingly, mostly chill kind of year for me. And while I don’t know what 2025 will bring, I do know I’ll get further ahead in business and life if I reflect on some accomplishments and favorite things I’ve done this year.

Want to play along with me? I’ll go first. Here are my biggest accomplishments and memories for 2024:

In my photo editing business:

I got to edit for 8 amazing and wonderful photographers this year. 🥰 I limited my client roster so I could dote on each client while also having a relatively stress-free busy season as well. This has been my best year in business yet!

In my personal life:

My brother came to visit for a week in July. I hadn’t seen him in years so it was nice to be together again. We hiked, mini-golfed and hung out with my mother and her husband the whole week. It was so special and we took so many selfies together. 🤩 I will treasure those photos and memories forever.

Okay, your turn. What is your biggest accomplishment of 2024? Or maybe your most favorite thing that you got done?

Or if nothing else, I invite you to think about it for a few moments before the day gets away from you.

If you are still putting in time editing right now, here’s an EASY tip to help you finish up. And it doesn’t even matter what program you’re using to edit with!

Let’s talk about background music!🎶

I almost always edit with music or background noise of some sort to keep my brain occupied so I can focus. And I have different music depending on my deadlines.

For Tight Deadlines:

When I’m trying to beat the clock on a tight deadline, I will opt for wordless music that is still mostly upbeat. I don’t want anything too slow or I will start falling asleep at my desk—not ideal when on a deadline! Here are a few of my favorites you can find on Youtube:

Links here:

• Inventor's Music - Chill Music Lab

• Battlecry - Trailer Music Empire

• Christmas Magic - The Vault of Ambience

For Standard Deadlines:

If I’m not in a time crunch to meet a deadline, songs with words can help make my time editing more fun. Singing and dancing along to keeps me motivated!

(If my neighbors were home, I’m sure they would be laughing at my JLo and Dua Lipa sing-a-longs. 🤣)

My playlist includes Jennifer Lopez, Dua Lipa, Shakira, Taylor Swift, Black Pink, Sia, Lady Gaga and tons more.

Very Easy Deadlines—or You’re Bored:

When I’m editing and either I have an easy deadline or my brain gets bored, I will listen to movies.

“Listen” is the key word.

It must be a movie I’ve already watched AND one that I won’t get sucked into. Here are a few that I’ve found are good for listening:

• KungFu Panda

• How to Train Your Dragon

• Merry, Happy Whatever (Netflix series)

• Down Periscope

👉🏻 Note: Listening to a movie while editing DOES slow the editing process down so I don’t recommend this at all if you are on a tight deadline or really need to concentrate. Way too distracting!

Alright, this is how I made it through the past few busy seasons and I’m telling ya, it works! Let music pull your brain away so you can concentrate on editing. A bored or agitated brain is just as distracting as a movie. 🤓

Happy editing,

Erika