how do you edit blemishes, marks and scars?

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When I plan a portrait session for one of my clients I really take the time to get to know them. I really want to understand their likes and dislikes, how they view themselves and how they want to be portrayed in their images. This allows me to create the shoot they dream of but also how to retouch their images to suit their tastes and needs. This includes blemishes.

Everybody is is different. As a general rule, I tend to edit out anything that's temporary. I've removed bruises because someone has fallen down the stairs the night before and they don't want to document them and also spots that have appeared on the morning of a persons photo shoot. This is pretty common practice in my retouching procedure, however permanent marks are a little bit more sensitive.

I always have a conversation with my clients and find out more about their scars if they are visible. Some wish them to be completely removed because its a memory of a time that they don't want to be drawn to when looking at their images and some wear them proudly, like a badge of honour that adds to their personal story. Others like their marks softening, so they are still visible, they still tell their story through life, but softened so the focus is not on the mark but on the face and expression as it should be.

Retouching is as much a part of your portrait session as anything else. I want my clients to love their images when they seem them and to suit their tastes perfectly and it's so wonderful to gain great feedback from them when they are truly happy with your work.

Do you have any blemishes that you would remove? Would you be proud and leave them as is? Have you ever thought about this?

As always, please message me with any questions or just to say hi! I'm always here to help! Also, follow #ateliercreative for more hints & tips about portrait photography.

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