My Retouching Philosophy

There is a common misconception that photography is the medium that most accurately reflects reality. But, anyone who's tried to capture a sunset and come away disappointed knows that cameras see the world entirely differently than how our eyes do. There are a million things in the shooting process that will distort an image- from lens sizes, to light diffusion, to sensor types.

I retouch not because reality is imperfect, but because I craft every step of the process in order to tell a story. Sometimes flyaway hairs, acne, and wrinkles are part of that story, and sometimes they are just distractions. Sometimes I even retouch to correct the way that the camera or the light has over-emphasized or distorted things, to put them back to where they should be.

So if I do retouch you, please see it as a loving act of artistry, not as a criticism of your imperfections! We are all perfect already. And if there’s a retouch that you don’t like, just let me know and I’ll be happy to put it back.

I also try not to remove anything that is a part of who you are, like moles or scars, unless requested. So, if there is anything in particular you would like me to touch up (or to definitely not touch up), please let me know. We can also talk about it once you get your gallery and see the photos. 

Policy on Privacy and Bodily Autonomy

I recognize that there are many valid reasons why someone might not want pictures of themselves on the internet- religious reasons, personal safety, or just a preference for privacy. 

By copyright law, a photographer has the right to use any works created by them, for any purpose. But in the interest of caring for my fellow humans, I will do my best to honor requests for privacy when possible. 

Aside from just not publishing a photo, I can also remove identifying factors such as faces or tattoos, or simply not attach your name to it.

For sensitive subjects like boudoir photography, my policy is to keep them private by default. If I want to publish any of your boudoir photos online, I will ask for your consent in writing.

Philosophy on Diversity, Accessibility, and Safe Spaces

Diversity isn’t just important to me from an equality standpoint, it is my joy. I love meeting people with different life experiences than mine. Every time I learn about a new perspective, my world gets a little bit bigger. I believe all people deserve love, and the encouragement to love themselves. I recognize that removing one’s own internal bias is a lifelong process that requires courageous honesty with oneself,  a desire to always keep learning, and a humble openness to being educated. But I will always do my absolute best to not discriminate based on 

Race

Religion

Gender identity

Sexuality

Relationship style

Age

Ability/Disability

Mobility

Neurotype

Family architecture

Education

I am also a trauma-informed photographer. It’s not a certification or anything, but I have spent a lot of my life educating myself about trauma, how it works, what it does to people, and how to heal it. This heavily informs my practice, and the way I interact with people. So when I say that I strive to be a safe space, that’s part of what I mean.