In the photography industry, editing has always been a major part of the final images. We make the skin looking perfect, make sure everything symmetrical, we adjust bodies… Even to the niche that boudoir is, many photographers play by those rules. We personally don't. We don't believe people should be edited on photos and here is why…
Reason #1: because it’s not you.
One of the many reasons why you may be in front of a lens would be to get comfortable with your image. If said image is altered, what’s the point of even doing it? You may look back on those photos and say “I look great" but you will always have this after thought of “but that’s not really me". If anything, it may end up making you sad that you are not version.
Keeping your images editing and filters free will teach you to appreciate your appearance the way it really is.
And what does that lead to? Self-confidence, yay!
Reason #2: because those perfect bodies don't exist.
We say it, we read it: perfect bodies don't exist. But yet, some days, it is easy to forget, especially on social media with all of those accounts saying “look at me, I'm just like you, an everyday person!” but yet every single photo is perfect looking.
Real bodies come in all shapes in sizes. They come with rolls, with scars, cellulite, wrinkles & stretch marks.
We have been taught for way too long that all of these are flaws while they are just normal. It's about time they become the norm and are showed more often.
Reason #3: because the more we show reality on our end, the more the media will pick up on it and do the same.
We can say every negative thing about social media, there is one positive angle: they are what we make them. Meaning it is also in our power to turn them into something positive. Many companies (the smart ones!) have changed the approach regarding marketing to their customers thanks to what has been trending online such has body-positivity. Of course, that also came with sneaky companies pretending to be a certain way when they're not, but that has been happening since the beginning of time.
There is a true craving for authenticity for every single market, and it is a beautiful thing (most of the time).
So, what do we personally do as photographers?
Our editing policy is simple:
1) we pose you accordingly in flattering poses, for your body.
2) we remove anything that is temporary, such as blemishes, bruises, scratches and so on, with a very mild skin smoothing edit to remove any shininess. Anything that isn’t part of you every day.
We used to be a bit more “open” to editing, especially while doing certain poses that could make body parts bigger for example. But we have never executed this, because we never felt the need to and our models never asked anyway!
Seeing edited images constantly feed everyone's body insecurities. If it feeds yours, remind yourself that you have the power to change this outcome. Everytime you share a photo of you that's not touched up, you are inspiring someone else to feel comfortable the way they are. Pretty neat, right?