One question I get with some frequency is about retouching. What exactly do I edit? Why? Where do I draw the line between reality and Photoshop? The answer is that it depends, but my goal is to always offer images that reflect the genuine connections between your family that you will love, and are consistent with the work you see on my website.
It all starts in my camera during your session. My aim is capture images as correctly as possible, so retouching isn’t necessary at all. I do this by utilizing three main things: lighting, posing, and technical expertise. Using light well is always a photographer’s first ambition. Light is the most important element in any image.
Next is posing. Making sure that the pose is flattering, showing the connections between your family, and highlighting the unique aspects of each personality. And finally, technical expertise. Knowing how to use my gear to properly capture an image. Getting it right from the very beginning is key to a beautiful image. You can’t retouch a terrible image into a good one. You have to get it right when you first capture it.
When it comes to retouching images, my rules are simple:
is it an accurate reflection of my vision?
is it temporary or permanent?
is it a purely distracting element?
Every image needs to accurately reflect what I was trying to capture in the moment. Things like color and composition are subjective, and I want my work to reflect what I saw in that moment. It’s not my always a literal view, but instead how I see mothers with their children, siblings with each other, and babies in the big new world. This element of retouching is my favorite. It’s enhancing my vision for my families’ portraits to give them something new and artistic.
The next element is all about permanence. Children play and bump into things. Babies can scratch their face and chest. Anyone can experience a blemish. Those are all temporary things that will quickly fade with time. They aren’t part of who you are or what you’ll see in the mirror everyday. They don’t need to remain in your portraits. Finally, elements that are purely distracting are removed. If a strand of hair is covering your eye or a stray sticker is stuck to big sister’s shirt, you don’t have to worry that those things will appear in your final images.
I want you and your children to recognize the people in your portraits, but include an artistic touch that comes with an experienced eye. Years from now you’ll look back and adore how far you’ve come, how much things have changed, as you look back on these memories.
