I can adjust your figure and also make you look 10 years younger—but I probably won’t. Unless, of course, I posed you incorrectly or lit you poorly. My goal as a photographer is to guide you into flattering poses and use light in a way that highlights your best features. I’m very careful with editing because photography, at its heart, should still look like you.

While filters, presets, and powerful editing tools are everywhere today, there’s often an expectation that every photograph must be polished to perfection. In studio photography especially, there can be an unspoken pressure to smooth every line, erase every mark, and create a flawless image. But chasing perfection can lead us away from what makes a photograph meaningful in the first place—authenticity.

Thoughtful editing certainly has its place. Small, temporary details—like a blemish, a stray hair, or something that won’t even exist six months from now—can reasonably be softened or removed.

For example, I would never remove a scar unless a client specifically asked me to. It can represent a battle scar of life—whether medical or playground. A scar can have intense meaning for the client.

A photograph should still look like the person who walked into the studio that day. Whether it’s a professional headshot, a family portrait, or a personal milestone, authenticity matters. The tiny details, the natural expressions, and even the imperfections are often what make a photograph feel honest and deeply human.