Can You Make Me Look Thinner?
This is a question I get asked ALL the time! Sometimes with a laugh and nudge, and sometimes with honesty. The simple answer is yes. I can. But I generally won’t unless specifically asked to do so.
The world of photography has come a long way since the creation of digital cameras and editing software. Photographs could be used as proof or evidence of an event, whereas now it is possible to manipulate an image so accurately that no one could tell if it was real or not.
There are good and bad sides to this. Obviously the advancement of technology is amazing and people have created some incredible digital art, and photographs using this software. But the other side to it is that people are able to manipulate photographs incredibly easily now.
The photographs you see in magazines and adverts are so far from reality it is scary! Plastic looking skin, no marks, bumps or imperfections, bodies which are warped to look like a Barbie Doll. It is creating a world of unrealistic expectations which is affecting everyone, not just the younger generation. I’m certainly guilty of it! I can’t look at myself in the mirror and see someone who has created two children, who has a husband and family who love her, who is reasonably fit and healthy. I see someone who is overweight. Why? Because that is what I have been taught to believe.
Photo by Amireza MirHosseini on Unsplash
Anyway, I could talk about this for hours, but for the purpose of this post I will steer myself back onto track.
My editing style is very natural. I urge my clients to be natural in their photographs, and try to bring out authentic emotions in their photographs so people can see the real you. If I was to then make you a stone lighter, take away any facial lines and blemishes then it would be unrealistic, and when you meet people in real life they would realise that. It’s a bit like someone who wears a lot of makeup every day suddenly turning up to work with a bare face and everyone saying “oh you look really run down”, “are you ok? You don’t look so well”, “You’re looking really pale”.
Before and after example of how easy it is to manipulate photographs using editing software. This took me 10 minutes.
Now don’t get me wrong, I edit my photos. Light retouching involves enhancing certain features like your eyes, maybe boosting the colour and removing any blemishes which aren’t permanent. The end result may not be exactly the way you looked through my camera shutter but it’s nothing which couldn’t be achieved in real life. This is just my style of photography. Everyone is different and it’s a good question to ask a potential photographer before choosing to work with them.
One thing I will say is that as a photographer it is my job to know what angles and poses work best to make you look fabulous in your photos without having to do any crazy editing! If you’re thinking about having some brand photography but you’re nervous about being in front of the camera or feel you aren’t photogenic then why don’t we have a chat? You will be surprised that having professional photographs of yourself can make you feel great and really boost your confidence! It certainly has for me! If you’d like to have a chat then drop me a message or book a discovery call here.
Written by Suzy Ellis
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