I am editing some photos from a shoot I did a few days ago, and they’re for headshots for an actor, she has requested that I remove some blemishes, mainly the acne scars she has, I removed them but it’s quite a drastic edit, and it makes it look a lot less like her, I told her this and she still wants it removed.

Part of me just wants to get the job done, but also, I feel like it’ll be bad for her as a headshot as it doesn’t represent her fully, and personally I think she looked better with the scars left in, not because the edit was bad but because it gave a bit more character to her face and they weren’t even unattractive.

I’m deciding whether to send her versions with blemishes and without or if that’ll annoy her enough to not work with me again as she seemed quite offended that I even suggested leaving them in.

What does everyone think?

  • autxrose@alien.topBEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    I had this same issue with one of my first photoshoots. It is a delicate balance between pleasing your client and doing work you are personally proud of. In this case, I think she might get offended if you send her both versions. If it was me, I would remove her most prominent blemishes but not leave her with baby screen. Still leave some texture and stuff. There’s not much else I can tell you to do since it seems you are pretty deep now.
    But do keep this in mind for future clients, especially women. Make sure you write your “boundaries” in your contract, or say them to the clients since the begining. “There will often be some edits done to the pictures in order to enhance the image as a whole, but within reason.” and then go on to explain a little of what you are willing and not willing to do.
    Sorry I cant give you a better answer, good luck friend.