Bedroom Eyes

I intended to post after work and the toddler's bedtime last night.  Instead I ended up watching horror movies through my eyelids (snoring too) on the couch with the toddler and my husband decided to let me sleep.  I suppose I needed it if I was out so much that he couldn't wake me up to drag me to bed when it was his bedtime. 

Alright, back to work now.  Time to discuss the photos I posted on my pause the other day as well as more thoughts on boudoir and the use of depth in shooting some poses.  We will start with one of my favorites, shown here in monochrome though the color is equally impressive.  I am going for pose so color would be distracting since the lingerie is a startlingly bright shade of unashamed PINK that we picked first for the distraction and ended up giving us great teaching shots.   Thanks so much to the lovely Brooklyn who was my model for this test shoot and did a great job.

This pose is all about eye contact and getting the right light on the hair and face.  What you want to think about in this shot style is how to capture the model's pose without distortion from too much fore-shortening.  This means showing enough of the whole body to keep everything in proper perspective, making sure it does not seem like they are just a floating head/torso.  The second major focus needs to be on getting the right amount of light, which I must say took testing, shooting, moving stands for lights, re-shooting, moving again, re-shooting, and so one... all with a very patient model hold pose through the whole process.  The final lighting was finished in post-production and only required some work to fix a smudge on the backdrop and a bit of editing to the skin.

The rest of the session was focused on legs and getting some great "shape" with lights.  I worked mostly on shooting "Parts" of the model rather than her whole figure so I could get the best grasp of how to turn or move into the right spot to accentuate a fantastic figure.  I expressed before that my love for shoes is a special one, and this let me play on that passion for shoes while shooting.

This shot was inspired with a clearly topless one I saw online and wanted to work from for future boudoir shooting.  I was thinking about trying to get the focus on the legs rather than the bust-line, and wanted to bring the focus through the "motion" of the leg lift.  I think it worked well over all.  The hint of a topless figure from the hanging bra is there to help with the story telling, though the model was actually still wearing the lingerie top.

In this last shot I was going for shadows and a vintage feeling by working on a darker coloration.  My goal here was to keep the face in semi-shadow so we could see that contrast.  I adore the expression here too... something like a request but not a blatant "follow me to the bed" either.  I'm still not completely sold on this shot's success, but I got some solid moments out of it and a chance to work with a lovely up-and-coming model that has a great sense of humor when her photographer is a total klutz.

Deep Blue Eyes

I love when a boudoir shoot can give such great images that I am not looking at them later thinking about how I should have shifted her hand, or moved a bracelet, or changed a light position.  This was one of those shoots.  While not everything was a gem, I adore this shot.  It is one of the moments when I could have shot with my subject topless or completely nude and not even had to change a thing.

I always love shots like this in boudoir because they really focus on how much seduction there is in eye contact.  Keeping this outfit we went for a different type of eye contact and a pose that displays round faced subjects to their best potential.  I usually save this style of shot for late in an album when the intent is gifting a significant other.  contrast was the goal here, though I personally feel that a little more shadow or dark points would work to maximize this concept.

Then there is the idea of what happens when you choose to keep eyes closed, taking direct contact out of the story and keeping the mood low and warm.  The color choice for this shot and second outfit are of the model's selection, though I think the sky blue is helped with the coloration of her tattoo.  Here the focus is to invite the viewer into the image by letting the eye flow based on a change of color.

You may notice there I just made a statement that the photo is not perfect in my eyes.  I believe in admitting when improvement can be made and in this case the model is lovely but the artist side of my brain is focused on what to change and make better in the next shoot.  That is the only way I could ever improve, and I encourage everyone to look at their work and do the same thing.  At the moment I am booking boudoir less often and wishing to increase those sittings, and the best way to improve business is to raise the quality of your product.

Alright darlings, in the next two days I will post the second half on my list of favorite wedding photos.  I will also be updating some of my wedding images from this season, sharing favorites with all of you patient darlings.  Until then, keep improving and keep smiling!

Courage Comes In Many Forms

Tonight I want to speak to the shy girls thinking “I could never do that”. This is for all of you how tell yourself that you are not thin enough or tall enough or pretty enough to do your own boudoir shoot. I'm going to share where I get my own strength from, and some other things about where you might be able to find the courage to try this for yourself.

I absolutely love when a client comes in and is so secure in their skin that they are willing to really play to the camera while they wear next to nothing. I really adore when I can have a model sign up for a shoot thinking they want to keep their images personal, and end up signing a release at the end because the beauty we captured is just too perfect not to share. To all the models out there waiting to have a shoot like that, those moments are only achieved through a comfort in who “you” are as a person.

That strength and courage is a marvel to me. I feel that I am blessed to share in those moments of beauty and power when a woman can express her sexuality without shame. Inside every one of my models is a fire that will engulf anyone foolish enough to pour on some gasoline. They are rebels, rule breakers, free spirits that are proud of the female form with which they have been blessed.

These woman should be an inspiration to so many more girls and women. They are proud of their curves, proud of the stretchmarks on their belly and the baby that left them there. They are proud of the scars, the piercings, the tattoos, all the things that make their body unique. They are brave, and as a woman, I envy them for their courage.

When I look in the mirror today, I see a very different body from the one I remember. One year post-postpartum, I still see stretchmarks and a line of discoloration on my belly. I am heavier and less than pleased about how the weight is still not leaving even with a very controlled diet and more exercise. I look at the changes and have to tell myself that I am still the same woman that was a model years ago. At this point in my life, I could not pull off the kind of self assured and almost defiant sexuality that is needed to make those shots work.

My history is a long one when it comes to body image. I was raised by parents and close family friends that always made sure to teach their children that all bodies are beautiful. I remember going skinny-dipping back in the days when parents would not be hauled off to jail just because their kids did a nude cannonball into the river behind their house in the middle of the woods. I remember never being ashamed of wearing shorts to school even though I always had skinned knees and bruises on my legs from climbing rocks and riding horses. I even remember being teased because I developed early and the other kids were looking for any reason to be cruel, as preteens are want to do. And I remember suddenly learning serious body modesty when a boyfriend began to force his thoughts on how I should dress, wear my hair, and apply make-up. Working with horses, swimming on my college team, and jogging at the gym to clear my head all helped to keep me in shape but I never really thought about diet and exercise in terms of how “sexy” it made me. I never really thought about having to make myself attractive until it was something that reflected on my other-half.

At the same time, I would love to have my own boudoir shoot as a gift for my husband. He is my lovely right hand man and gives me “a man's perspective” when I find myself struggling with a shot or concept. He has given me courage to take what I thought would be a flop, and make it into my favorite for the entire shoot. It is because of that nonjudgmental support that I continue to work on pushing through my own blocks and boundaries to achieve something better.

I believe that the best models are those who can give themselves permission to let go; the ones that loose themselves in the moment and stop thinking about how silly they look to people not aiming a camera. Perhaps that is as much about being willing to live life for the moment as it is about getting a great photo. I can think of a few snapshots taken of me that are my favorites because they have an aspect of candid beauty that can never be recreated. It is images like that which I hope to find in every shoot.

In all honesty, I really hope every morning to simply have the camera pointed in the right direction. I have faith that with the camera pointed at the model, and a comfortable and supportive environment in the studio or on the set, magic really can happen.

Why My Answer Is No

In the last few weeks my boudoir photography has taken off and finally had some real response.  Sadly, this has brought on the matching tide of requests from those with a less than wholesome level of intent.  I work very hard to bring out the best in boudoir.  I want to help people understand how it is NOT pornography, and is not something intended to offend.



I keep some basic rules on who I work with and what I shoot because it is part of building a legitimate business.  My models have the right to requests a shot or say no to a pose.  I reserve the right to keep my images about equal with a PG 13 rating.  I agree that the human body is appealing, but also know that not everyone has the same feelings about what is appropriate for public viewing.

I am not a difficult person to work with on a professional level.  I am not a hard person to get along with when you take the time to make conversation before, at, or after a shoot.  I even have a habit of making friends with my models.  So I want it to be known that if I ever tell "you" no about a shoot, a subject, or a request to buy images from my portfolio there is a good reason.

If I choose not to answer a question about my personal life, it is because I have that right.  If you choose not to answer something I ask, I will accept that and move on.  But please don't ever assume that my silence means your suggestive behavior or comments is something I will put up with for long.  This goes for absolutely everyone; models, potential clients, escorts, other photographers, people viewing my portfolio at public events where I market my business.  I want it to be clear that I put up with much, but a lack of professionalism is something that will see you banned from my business. 

Perhaps it is just that I have a clear set of ethics that I use as my guide, but I am not in the boudoir world to cater to creeps.  I get annoyed when my models and my work are viewed as nothing but pornography.  This is not something made for "self gratification", it is a beautiful expression of how every body can be attractive and everybody has the right to enjoy who they are.

Why I Do, What I Do

Trying my first posting from an alternate device tonight, we'll see how this goes.  Try to be forgiving, this is a test of my blogging skills via smarter-than-me-phone.

Aside from busily working to build a new studio location, booking sittings, and shooting weddings each week; I am also involved in work to help demystify boudoir photography. I want to help more people understand how they can express their sexy inner being without having feeling like they are posing for a dirty magazine. I have redoubled my efforts after becoming involved with an effort to put a stop to illegal posting of images taken by a fellow photographer who broke his client's trust.

I am, however, toying with the idea of choosing to make a notation that I will no longer take sittings where obvious nudity is involved. I state this as different from “implied nudity” because of the appearance of sensitive areas of anatomy. My portfolio does not suffer simply because I choose not to display genitalia or require an age filter and I feel that this should be part of what my subjects can always expect. I want them to feel no embarrassment about having a stranger – myself or my assistant in this case – see them while they are posing. More importantly, there should be pride and enjoyment when they share their final selections with others.

I believe in using intelligent composition,
not pornographic position.

Remember that quote. I have no problem with it being shared around the internet and used by anyone who ever studies the art of boudoir photography, even in passing. If I am famous for nothing else, make me famous for that one comment.

Artistic nudity has a place in the world. There is something beautiful about a newborn infant with nothing put that innocent pout on their lips. There is an equally stirring notion when a seductive bare shoulder is closely cropped into frame with sultry eyes and lips directed into the lens. It is even possible to have a tasteful image where just a bolt of silk can be wrapped around a mother to show off her growing belly and lovely legs at a maternity sitting.

There is also a place for nudity of the non-artistic genre. A good number of photographers and models make their living in a world of pay-to-view websites and adults only magazines. Before our marriage, I know my own husband had a collection of those magazines and I'm fine with that fact. He is one of the thousands of adults that has owned or viewed that type of material. It is a profitable market, and those employed by those companies are aware of the controversy that will forever be involved with their industry.

The word boudoir is a French term that refers to the chambers around a wealthy ladies' bedroom any time prior to about 1920. The boudoir was an elaborate sitting room where she could entertain her guests or romantic partner(s). This was separate from her dressing room, morning room, and bed chamber. In some less wealthy circles the term began to be used on sitting rooms or parlors – what we now call “the living room” – when the house did not contain massive suites for the adult females.

This history is important because it gives a reason for the very distinct aim of good boudoir photographers; they aim to create an intimate, romantic feeling with each pose. My own goal is to encourage a playful feeling as well as capturing that alluring gaze that seems to say “come hither”.

I use a fifteen to twenty minute consultation prior to the session as a chance to learn about my subject and get a feeling for their personality. It is not just the long lashes and soft gaze of my model but the timid girl behind those big brown eyes that should come through with every pose. For those fantastic moments when the girl in kitten heels can flirt through the lens, my goal is to let her purr come through with every wink.  I even have had male subjects prove that the kindest, nerd can become a hunk when he lets his confidence do the work.

On May 26th, I will be hosting a boudoir photography event at the new studio to help educate local women and men interested but shy about committing to a full session. The idea is to find the beauty in every body type. Women should learn to embrace their unique figure and the beauty that exists in simply being born a part of that gender. Guys can take the chance to not worry about having to put on a hyper masculine facade, they can be cuddly and still be sexy. Most of all, my goal is to make each person see that you don't have to be built like a model to make your mate “happy”. If I can still get a grin from my husband after the huge change in my figure from pre-pregnancy to almost one year postpartum... well, just trust me when I say the most sexy part of the body is the brain... followed by the eyes!

The Art of Seduction (Visual Lesson)

In the words of Jessica Rabbit, “I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way.” I believe that this could perfectly describe the reputation of boudoir work; remember that this is not pornography even though there is an influx of those images. Just as the famous burlesque dancers and performers of old vaudeville are a class above today's topless pole dancers... boudoir is not soft-core, but in a class all of it's own.

Now I will take a moment to talk to the models and brides out there who might be reading this before we go any farther...

Please, please, please... visit every one of the sites I have listed and remember to do your own research before you shoot or pose. As a client, you must be absolutely comfortable with your photographer and your settings. Expressions will not come across the same and shoots will fall apart if there is no flow between photographer and model. Never agree to a session if you feel pressured or have that “creepy” feeling. I say this with love and experience, you must put your emotional and physical safety first, and remember that this is meant to be a fun experience.

Long before I was a photographer, I worked as a model. On one occasion while I was in college, I took some paid work doing photos for a company promoting a new night club opening up near the school. Thankfully the shots were clothed and had a good group of models and assistants. But there was one particular assistant photographer that gave off that unsettling vibe. Everything was professional and perfect, but I would never have stayed to shoot if it had been a smaller crew or a private session with him.

All of the photographers I listed in this posting have a record of professionalism, and so do most of those who continue to get work. You should look for a studio or a person with good reviews and who is willing to communicate with you before the session so that you can get a feel for them and their business. And remember that you always have the right to say no.

Boudoir Photography has an undeservedly bad reputation thanks to the common mixture of explicit poses and obvious pornography that are often passed off under that label. For this reason I am going out of my normal pattern by using images found through a search on Google simply using the key words “boudoir photography poses”. Here again I state that this is an adult topic and should not be shown to those under age because of the suggestive nature of some of the images.

Each image has a credit to the photographer and a link directly to their site for those interested in their work. I am not affiliated with any of these sites or photographers, and have made all effort to credit them under the requirements of fair use. Remember that doing your own research on each of them is highly encouraged because no photographer knows everything, but we can learn much from the work of others. I have only included images that are clothed or implied nudity, but remember that this is all about seductive pose and tasteful expression.

Blinkabella

Notice the lovely lines and curves in this pose. Though the model's face is not included, the whole image just flows with seduction. This studio actually has a lovely comment about making sure that shots are not completely contrived, but rather have a bedroom feeling through the thought put into backdrop and the use of natural window light. Visit them in San Diego, I would if I could!

Persimmon Images

Here I find that color and flow are just lovely. This pose lets the eye find points of sharp focus on the beautiful blue eyes of the model even while the brilliant red draws you deep into the frame. Bravo for a lovely outfit selection on this entire set, but this red works wonderfully to get the point across even while being beyond the focus point. This studio is located in the Seattle, Washington area; look them up for weddings, portraits, and boudoir!

Simply Bloom Photography (Blog)

I adore the classy feeling of leg and shoe images and this blog is rife with them. The use of space and spread are wonderful in these shots. Again I must complement the lighting and angles, wonderfully creative while clearly done without contortion acts on the photographer's part. I suggest their services to anyone in the Savannah, Georgia area and their blog to everyone who adores beautifully shot photography. These are some masterful works.

Raw Photo Design

As I have said many times, nobody knows everything, but I wish I had even half the talent and color knowledge that appears in some of the fantastic work on this blog. If you are in the Hartford, Connecticut area, these are the people you want shooting your scintillating sessions. The image above is one of my favorites, not for color, but because it is just a perfect example of the flirty feeling that can be captured when model and photographer have that moment of perfection and coordination.

I know there are just a tiny sample of studios and poses here, but to place everything I love on this blog would take a year. Do your own searches and remember that there is no substitute for experimentation. Thanks to all of the studios listed here for having been an inspiration for some of my work, and for their contributions to the artistic world as a whole.

The Art of Seduction

Today I am going to post on a new topic, but I will be updating with the second half of the last visual lesson in the next two days, as well as this weeks visual aids.

Today is a post on a particular pet peeve of mine. This is also the very first time I will be placing an 18+ warning on anything I make public. What I am talking about here is the blurred line between “Boudoir Photography” and “Pornography”. A tricky difference for a person who began and continues her career primarily with children as her subjects; but one that must be very clearly struck.

It comes from doing some web research of my own for upcoming shoots and finding a disgusting number of mislabeled and very workplace inappropriate images. While there is always the internet snag commonly known as “Rule 34”; I believe that a Google image search is one of the simplest ways for a budding (or experienced) photographer to collect a few new ideas on poses or props.

Boudoir photography could be loosely defined as using playful suggestion through composition elements to create a seductive feel without overt sexual images.  For legal purposes, Pornography is defined as the explicit or implied depiction of sexual behavior that is intended to arouse sexual excitement in its audience. Under this broad term, common Boudoir photography can be determined as a form of pornography, simply because the subtle suggestion in a pose is entirely intended to interest the viewer.  In general, if it could not be displayed in a corporate workplace without quickly flicking to a new page when the boss walks by... it is not in the realm of playfully seductive.

I typically draw the line between the two where an image crosses from being appropriate for all viewers, to requiring one of the age based filters used to shield younger persons from explicit material. A wonderful example of how boudoir work can quickly become pornography would be to consider the images viewable on websites that require a subscription to view full sets. In these cases, the preview images available to all viewers are clothed and posed to peek down cleavage without actually crossing the line to show any portions of anatomy which would be questionable in public. But as soon as a valid subscription or birth date check is passed, the following images pass clearly into a level of Hustler-esque inappropriateness.

Here we enter the argument of clothed vs. nude images. Under the legal rules above, an image of a shapely woman in a bikini posed in a suggestive nature could be considered pornographic. However, swimsuits are still a part of most modeling portfolios, and a staple of marketed photography for any number of products and businesses. Sports Illustrated would never have made as much money on their annual swimsuit edition, were it not for the undeniable fact that there is an obvious appeal to a shapely young woman in a bikini on the cover of anything men -and women – while still managing to be acceptable outside the bedroom. These images suggest something adult in nature, but do not cross a line of offense for the most part.

I believe that not all nude images are pornographic, and not all pornography requires nudity. When my son was born in June of 2011, I took his newborn photos and placed the order for announcement cards with one of those shots. This image, taken while he napped, shows my nude three-week old with a fedora placed over his hindquarters as a salute to one of the two people for whom he was named. In this case, it is what is called an “artistic nude” - implying no sexual behavior while still containing a subject without clothing. In fact, the majority of newborn photography falls under this title; newborns are delicate and we treat them differently because their beauty comes from inherent innocence.

Artistic nude rules are used to determine many works that involve children because of the ever-present issue of child pornography. The best way to avoid these issues is to place newborns in a pose or around props to all sensitive portions of anatomy. Girls over toddler age, about three years, really should be photographed full clothed, and boys can go shirtless so long as pants or shorts are in place. One popular type of images is a nude or implied nude child in a claw foot tub. So long as the rules on covering sensitive areas are followed, this can indeed be an adorable addition to any portfolio.

Teens and adults should be photographed with the strict rule that only those over the age of majority (18 years or older in the United States for Federal purposes) can appear nude. I personally feel it is inappropriate to use an implied nude technique on subjects under that age, even though it may not be illegal based on the views of individual courts. At all times, the suggestion of the staging must be considered. While a bare shoulder in a close up can be innocent and alluring if captured under one set of circumstances; the very same bare shoulder can be viewed in a seductive way with a simple shift in angles or lighting.

Here is the real crux of the issue. Boudoir photography is intended to be seductive and innocent at the same time. Similar to the beautiful and alluring calendar girls of the 1950's, the idea should be to entice without being lewd or blatant. A model posed with a coy wink and smile and a shifted hip to help accentuate the curve of her legs and rear can be done in jeans as easily as garters and thigh-high stockings. The meaning is the same; there is an implication of playful seduction without the grotesquely pornographic nature of an open mouth and spread legs.

I have previously shot, and have bookings in the near future, for boudoir images. All my sessions are done on a closed set, with an invitation for the model to bring a friend of the same gender to help with hair, make-up, and wardrobe changes as well as moral support for those nervous about what can be an intimidating experience. I have had models ask to pose topless, and will accommodate the request as long as the shots are kept tasteful, again following the rules of implied nudity. I also never publish images without permission or that have nudity because that is not part of my business image.

I believe that educating clients on the difference between boudoir photography and pornography is an important part of working with models. These images make wonderful gifts for a husband or partner, a great addition to an established portfolio, and can help boost confidence after achieving weight loss goals. I have even taken boudoir sessions as part of an engagement package or before the wedding, in sessions when the bride has a shoot to get specialty shots of her gown. I can be a fun flirty form of self-expression for the right person, letting the bride pose in her wedding-night outfit as part of their private wedding album.

This is a situation where pose really is everything, and so Tuesday's update will include images fresh from a Google search and open call for images from other photographers looking to promote their work.

Think Before You Speak

Tonight's mini post goes back to a previously touched on topic that was nearly turned into a rant when I discovered something earlier this week.

I do not believe in trying to be-little the work of a fellow photographer just because they choose to shoot something I would not. I also do not believe in a violation of the trust that every model and photographer should build before taking on a sensitive shoot. Most of all, I feel that people who violate the requests of their clients should be ashamed to call their work “professional”.  Remember please that I do not believe in insulting a colleague because it will be important as I cover this next bit of information...

On Monday I was doing some research into other area boudoir photographers and came across something very upsetting. I was intrigued by the first few shots on this site and wanted to see more of the beautiful model in kitten heels he had on the first page. I always feel if their clients are familiar with their portfolio and comfortable with that type of session, there is nothing wrong with letting the photographer suggest something different. I was happy to see that the particular photographer I stumbled across that evening has a talent for shooting well in low light. But I was greatly disturbed by something that I feel shows the unprofessional behavior this particular individual would use on his subjects. The models he worked with had not signed releases for him to use their images; in fact, he stated that we was sad how many of them felt that their bodies should not be shared with the public even though. I dug deeper, and found that this was a secondary page created under a false name so that his work could be displayed without the knowledge of his clients.

I do not limit my customers from making requests; on the contrary, I invite a challenge or request from my subjects because this business is all about pleasing the client. I often ask my clients if they would be willing to sign a model release when I feel that the session contains images of an exceptional nature. Most sign the release, excited at the prospect of being able to send their friends to see their images on the walls of the studio or in my advertising campaigns.

In the case the a client refuses to sign or asks that some shots not be displayed, I mark the files or session to ensure there is no confusion. It is my obligation to clients that I act with integrity and continue to protect their privacy. Even with permission for clients, I choose not to make many of my boudoir images public because they are a form of sensitive material. I believe that my subjects have the right to expect that their privacy will be respected,

I understand that not everyone will feel that we are obliged to protect a person if they wanted to pose for something others might find offensive. If you are part of that mindset, I am not here to rant at you. What I choose for my business is based on what I feel is right for my comfort level and the type of customer I want to attract.

As a photographer we may look at our work and see beauty, but that is not always the case of the viewer. Every girl is somebody's daughter, and her “Daddy” may not be too pleased with the person showing off her goods on the internet without written consent. I takes only one click for a reputation or career to be ruined through a thoughtless post. All I want to remind you of is how sensitive the world has become with social media being available across the globe.

How Much Is Too Much (Visual Lesson)

Well darlings, it is time for our second lesson on editing. I am sorry it was posted a little late tonight, I had social obligations that were just too much fun to pull myself away. I hope you can forgive me. Just have a cold drink and a long read...

To edit things well is a skill I do not lay claim to in the least. I am fairly good at smoothing skin tone when redness appears. I can brighten, balance lighting, and fix backdrop issues. I can even clone out problem spots and heavy make-up lines when there was no way to pose around the problem. But I also know when to call in a professional.

When it comes to large shoots and orders I will often select a few items that I feel are the strongest candidates for making a real dazzling image with a little technical TLC. Even with weddings, I don't edit every image, I just ensure that I take out the ones that have no business in an album and make sure there are some true gems for the bride and groom (and family) to display. The rest get a once over to make sure they are not too dark, too light, or too blurry to be of any use.

Why am I pointing these things out? Because the very first rule of editing well is this:

KNOW YOUR LIMITS

The worst thing you can ever do as a professional is promise perfection. Those creamy skinned models with the pouty lips and big dark lashed eyes, they don't even look like that with full make-up and hair. There is a massive amount of work put into the ads we see, and a massive falsehood behind those same ads. As photographers, we should not be trying to feed into those visual lies; it only makes our jobs harder.

If you are good with lighting and poses but not always fantastic with editing, that is alright. There is a huge sub-industry of digital editing gurus willing to help reduce your time spent on each shot, and who have honed their skills to perform the final touch-ups. I suggest finding a good retoucher as a fall back for when you are in a seasonal crunch or have a large order to complete. Weddings are something I use outside assistance for, and I do not feel it detracts from the work I do even in the slightest. Clients receive their proofs or prints faster, I am free to shoot more sessions in the following weeks, and my business sees benefits rather than costs.

This cost/ benefit portion can be seen in the next rule as well, though in a slightly different area:

UNDERSTAND HOW TO SAY NO

I am a people pleasing kind of person. I go out of my way to make others comfortable with my studio, my work, and do everything I can to ensure they get the outcome they want... everything within reason, anyway...

When an older customer (and even some younger ones) come in I always try to get an understanding of how they would like to look. As I said before, I am no expert when it comes to editing, but I also know that there is a line that does need to be drawn. You need to understand that saying no does not make you unreasonable; rather, it makes your clients have to question what it is they imagine themselves looking like in the end.

A client once had me do a sitting for her and requested I shoot her posed at a specific angle and in an unflattering outfit. She was not an unattractive woman, but she did have some extra weight and was a had a noted jowl-line. She also explained that she had to see everything before I edited or deleted “the best ones”. After expressing my concern at how the images might not turn out to her liking or that I would only delete items not at all suited to framing or printing, I was told in very firm terms that those were the things she wanted. Because this was one of my first sittings as a self-employed photographer and money was a driving factor, I took the shots. To this day, I am not proud of that session. After uploading everything, fixing the problems from poor lighting, and cleaning up the edges of some shots it was time to show her the preliminary results so she could choose what she wanted. She insulted every one and complained that I had made her look fat and old. I took the abuse, spent almost four hours editing her choices down to show a slender (which she was not) woman with just a few scant laugh lines and a light weight to the jaw to show she was aging well. Even after all that work, she called me to complain that she looked old and ugly. I am sure now that nothing short of removing 20 years or so would have pleased her. When I brought her prints out to her home to drop them off I did notice a very telling little sign; all her other photos only showed her prior to being married or having children. From her comments in our consultation, she had been widowed after nearly thirty years and had three grown children living scattered around the country and was sending these prints to both them and her college aged grand-children.

I still have the photos from that session stored on my back-up drives. I keep them to remind myself that there are limits, and then there are impossibilities. I also keep them to remind myself that there are times we need to remember to say no.

No, I will not give you blond hair and blue eyes if you are a brunette with browns. No, I will not inflate your chest to supermodel proportion if you are under age and cannot supply a very good reason. No, I will not use my non-existent magic wand to make you into a person that is not real. No, I am not a therapist; but I will do everything in my power to make you like or even love who you are and how you look without having to resort to a computer-age lie. Yes, I believe that honesty in photography is best.. and that there is such thing as “beautiful ugly”.

This brings us to the last point I will make tonight.  And yes, this is the one with pictures:

STAY TRUE TO YOUR STYLE

I am not a fan of overly enhanced eyes. This is a trend lately in magazines and popular photography that I just cannot find it in myself to like. For this reason, my style does not show intense eye colors. I have dabbled in this style, done a bunch of training and some testing, but I think the results are just not up to par with what clients have come to expect from me.

I work very well with unique lighting and color contrasts. Years of painting, working with stained glass, and sketching with oil pastels finally paid off when I became a photographer. I learned how to pair bold and muted colors with specific skin tones for an exotic look. I used a blend of light and bright hues to help play tricks on the eye to tailor a shape for seduction. I figured out hundreds of fun ways to work a single remnant of patterned silk into newborn photos that captured just the right combination of warmth without being over-powering. I even learned how to fake my way around a horrible fake tan and turn it into a summery bronze glow.

I also know when something should remain untouched. This last skill to far longer to learn, and involved many failures along the way. It is a simple fact that on rare occasion, perfect in already there, and all we need to do in snap the photo. In those moments, I feel most like an “artist”, and less like a photographer. Nowhere is this more obvious, than in the photos I take of my own family, most of all... my son when he was a newborn.

How Much Is Too Much?

Today I want to discuss digital editing limits.

Before we get deep into the issue and I run the risk of this becoming a rant, I'd like to make my thoughts on the topic very clear; I believe that who we are is not just how we look. That may be why it is a little difficult for me as a photographer when clients want to look twenty years younger and three stone** lighter. I believe there is a limit to what is reasonable, and there is a line that I will not cross with my editing. In this rare case, the client is not going to always be pleased by my feelings. It is a risk, but one I am willing to admit to and take the full consequences like a big girl.

In the interest of full disclosure, I do indeed lightly edit some images of myself. I am proud of the fact that I have laugh lines at just twenty-seven... they are my proof of a life well lived. That said, there are parts of my body I am less proud of showing off. I am on a diet and exercise plan to loose the weight I gained while pregnant, and so I am not as happy with shots showing the squishy belly that my son left behind. This means that I pose to hide much of that, choose clothes to help mask my less attractive curves, and sometimes edit things a little if there is an offending muffin top when I bend or move in my post-pregnancy jeans.

I am not saying that there should never be any editing done. Marketing requires editing for images, though what they try not to tell you is that it often adds as much to the figure as it subjects. I can assure you that many of those models in your favorite lingerie advertisements do not actually have gravity defying anatomy of that proportion. But I can tell you that the web is full of videos on how to use some impressive visual math and give anyone a model figure with creative addition and subtraction.

To see where the general consensus on the topic would land, I posted a pole to the fans and friends on my facebook page. This gives me the chance to understand what people think, while also offering a little advertising as it goes viral. It has also given me the chance to see that a little bit of editing appears to go a long way for many people, something that makes me happy. There are some common editing points I would like to suggest that every photographer learn as they take new clients with higher expectations through the wonders of “photoshop”.

Those points will be the subject of tomorrows visual update (I'm fighting with the formatting tonight). Until then, think about what you like or dislike about your own face or photos and remember to check back to see if this is covered by our quick fixes.

** In an effort to help expand the world's vocabulary, I used a less common British term and have included a link here for those not familiar with that word.