So, you’ll have to excuse me as I’m composing this blog at 3am and I might be a little wordy (and maybe a little incoherent, lol). I’ve been thinking about blogging about this for a while and I’ve been waiting for the right words to come to me… which usually happens at 2:30am (so I’m half an hour late…lol).

Can you make me thinner? It’s a question I get daily. It is a constant worry for potential clients and, as a woman, I absolutely understand! Every woman’s personal body image is uniquely her own and I am going to try not to generalize too much here but here it goes:

Can I? YES! I CAN make you thinner. I can take off 5 pounds, or 10, or 20… or 30 or more. I have been retouching professionally for many years and I treat the editing process as an art form. I have the technical proficiency to reshape your body in almost any way you can imagine!

Will I? IT DEPENDS! Simply put, I do what you ask to create the photos YOU envision! These are your photos, your art that you are entrusting me to create for you. Your experience with my studio is one of close collaboration and communication. My one and only concern is that you are thrilled with your final images. I do what I do because it is my passion to show my clients the beauty inside themselves! I hate that so many women go a lifetime without seeing themselves as beautiful. I hate the pressure society puts on us to fit in the standard “box” of beauty. I think it is unfair to reserve the photoshoot experience for only models and celebrities. Each of us deserves to be pampered. We all deserve to feel beautiful!

I treat every photo as an individual work of art. Every image receives the care, time and attention that I would give to a canvas hanging in an art gallery. This begins from the moment each image is created. Lighting is carefully considered to portray the look and feel that you envision, from pinup to boudoir to Old Hollywood glamour to editorial lingerie looks. Wardrobe is carefully chosen and fitted to be flawless. I’ll guide you through your session and help you achieve the best expressions and poses. When your session is complete and the editing begins I will smooth skin, slim tummies, remove arm creases and show you at your absolute best. I will only enhance your photos to your comfort level, which is something that ww will discuss during your appointment.

Here is a typical edit done in my usual style. This also shows the option for tattoo removal (only done upon request):

There is a list of things I always fix. Excluding specific requests of a client, I always edit the following:

Skin – I always soften and smooth the skin in some way. This varies depending on the genre. Pinup? Perfect, porcelain skin. Glamour? You’ll have that sexy glow-from-within. Boudoir? Natural, soft texture and flawless appeal. Head shots? Very natural, true to life texture that looks positively radiant!

Blemishes – I define a blemish as anything temporary. If it will heal or go away (zits, acne, cuts, scrapes, scratches) then I remove it.

Bruises – Bumped your leg on a chair and got a bruise? It will disappear.

Cellulite – Whether on behinds, thighs or elsewhere… there won’t be any trace of it when we’re done.

Stretch Marks – Yes, they are badges of honor. I have more than I can count. Do I want to look at them in photos of myself… not really. They go, too.

Makeup Mishaps – The corner of your false eyelashes lifted? Fixed. Some mascara flakes on your cheeks? Poof. Gone. Lipstick strayed? I’ll fix it.

Armpit Creases – This is an issue for every woman, no matter her dress size. You wear a push up bra and you get that lovely lump next to the strap. You wear a corset and there’s always some fallout by your armpits. That disappears, too.

Belly Creases – Some poses are just cute and it’s worth the crease… so it will be smoothed and you’ll never even know it was there.

Post-Baby Bellies – If you’ve had a baby (or 4, like I have, lol) you know exactly what I’m talking about. It will look like it was never even there.

Then there is the list of things that are part of the discussion with you, the client. This includes:

Wrinkles & Fine Lines – I soften wrinkles and remove some as a general rule. I won’t make you look 20 if you’re 50 (but I can if you want me to) and I try to keep skin work very natural. You don’t want someone you know to look at your photo and see painfully obvious editing. Obviously, a professional makeup application goes a LONG way on this one.

Beauty Marks and Birth Marks – I LOVE beauty marks and birthmarks! They are unique and make you stand out! However, I respect that you might not agree so I’m happy to handle them in any way you prefer.

Scars – Many scars are badges of honor but they are also very personal. I have a scar on my shin from poor planning on rollerblades in my teens… and another from running my brother’s dirt bike into a stone wall. Am I proud of them… sure. Would I edit them out on myself… probably. On the other hand, I’ve worked with a number of cancer survivors who are very proud of their scars! This is something we will talk about and the choice is yours. Be aware that I can remove even the most significant scaring in most cases (tummy tucks, cesarean scars, scars from full body lifts) so please don’t hesitate to ask before you book your appointment if you have concerns about larger scars.

Freckles – I can remove (or soften/fade) them if you ask… but I might cry… because I ADORE freckles!

Body Reshaping – This is something that I do on most clients sparingly. I often do some minor reshaping when it is warranted. Generally, it isn’t even noticeable. A little nip in at the waist, a bit of tummy flattening, slimming the thighs or upper arms is very typical. I am also happy to do more than that upon request. I really can take off 5, 10, 15, 20 pounds and beyond… but I do like to strike a balance between reality and perfection. Why? Because every woman IS beautiful and I love curves! We will pose you to flatter your body type, whether you are a size 00, 8, 12, 22 or 28. You want to be the best version of yourself, whether you are athletic, slender, curvy, voluptuous or something in between… but you still want to be YOU!

I’m currently working on a gallery of transformations and also a posing and editing guide, with the help of a lovely dear friend who has volunteered her curves to this cause! Keep an eye out for this in the near future, it is an exciting work in progress! I’m excited to show you all the differences only small changes in lighting, posing and camera angles can make!