Photography Question for you Ladies

[Never Grow Up]

I have an ethical question for you ladies!!

I know many women are self-conscious when it comes to photographs of themselves.

How would you personally feel if a photographer was able to "digitally enhance" your photos? If he could shave off a double chin...trim down those arms.....even tuck that tummy....

But here is my question as a photographer.....should I ask someone if they would like to be "digitally enhanced"? How do you ask without insulting somone or hurting their feelings?? Do I just enhance one or two photos? If it was photos of you, what would you want?

I would really like some input from you ladies!

[twinmom]

Wow, that's a tough one! I guess it would be less offensive if you just did it and didn't say anything. No one wants to be told what their flaws are. And it is better to beg forgiveness than ask permission according to my dad.

[Never Grow Up]

Wow, that's a tough one! I guess it would be less offensive if you just did it and didn't say anything. No one wants to be told what their flaws are. And it is better to beg forgiveness than ask permission according to my dad.

That's part of my thinking. I don't want to offend but I want photographs to look their best.

Maybe I should just mention it in the pre-wedding planning....

[twinmom]

Maybe have some examples to show them, nothing too drastic.

[MTNGIRL]

Tough question.
I hate pictures of myself and would take any help I can get. I would have appreciated this in my wedding pics, but in those days I looked much better.
I think its something that should be offered, I'm not sure of the proper "political" phrasing.
I wish I could help more, but I do think it's an amazing idea.

If you ever take pics of me, feel free to enhance away

[Olympicnut]

Can I be a LAYDEE?

I'd say have it as an option in the contract with examples to show them what you mean when they ask "what does this mean digitally enhance". Some may take offense if you just change how they look without permission.

And lets be fair, Ive seen many men with triple chins out there

[dramaqueen]

Maybe mention it as a service you offer to all your brides. I mean, you can't enhance them too much or no one will recognize her in the pictures! I wouldn't have minded a little digital enhancing on my wedding photos.

[Hakuna Makarla]

I think I would go for it, touch them up a bit.... say remove a pimple, or smooth the skin out a bit Wow I wish you could do my pictures!!!

[SCUBAbe]

I digitally enhance my portraits all the time...whether they are of me or others. Most of the time people don't notice the small touch ups, but tey make alot of difference......so yes, i would want it done...LOL...

I generally do. blemish removal, smooth the skin tone, remove hot spots, brighten hair, whiten teeth, remove fat bulges........if I was doing it professionally I would charge quite a bit for it though...

[twinmom]

I just remember that our photographer touched up a couple of the pictures of my husband -- he had a zit that was "removed". He told us when we picked up our proofs that he could get rid of it.

[FrumiousBoojum]

I hope you don't want digitally enhanced like this:

[Hakuna Makarla]

I hope you don't want digitally enhanced like this:

I can not see the pic but knowing you it was good

[Tinkerbelle]

OK that's a tough question...it really is, I came in here thinking absolutly not...I don't actualy like very many pictures of myself (who does) but it's me...

but then there's the occasional pimple right where you don't want it, on the worst of days....it would be nice if that wasn't there....

delema....


I think I would touch up the pics (with permission of course) for skin blemishes, odd shadows, little things, but I don't think that major features should be changed...

I have a bit of a roll now over a lot of my jeans....I hate it, but it's me...
It'll go away someday (soon I hope) with a lot of hard work on my part.....not the photographers....

that's just my opinion....

small touch ups - fabulous...

Big flaws- it wouldn't look like them...

just my 2 cents

[Not Afraid]

Yes, by all means if it is an option, I'd want to know about it. But, I would be interested in removing a zit or something small like that. I guess it depends on what type of miracles you can perform.

[pixie chick]

I think some minor touch-ups would be OK, but I agree with TB that it could go too far & not look like them.

My philosophy is to record their day as beautifully as I can, yet truthfully at the same time. I don't feel right performing miraculous acts of God via PS to turn their rainy day into a bright, blue sunny one, for example. That's just my opinion, though.