Bob's Blog
Thoughts From an Island Photographer

 We are regularly asked by our Portrait and Wedding clients to address specific body issues they have which require some serious post-production work, no matter what tricks we use during the photo session itself.

It may be a simple very visible mole on a cheek that the client wants banished from every photo, a stray mosquito bite, or an expansive tattoo. We can work to eliminate that double chin or chubby arms throughout the photo shoot itself with our camera techniques. Some photos will likely need some touch-ups later – especially candids or action images. And, to remove a full set of braces from a toothy smile always requires post-production surgery!

At Tropical Focus, we believe every client deserves the images they want that reflects the body image that will make them feel good. Some purists disagree and feel that photos need to stand on their own. We can understand this for those shooting purely in a photojournalistic style, since factual recording is the goal for those photographers. When our clients want a journalistic style, our job gets a little easier.

For the rest of you, we have some advice, to get the results you want:

• Tell your photographer about any body issues before your shoot, so it can be addressed first through the camera lens. What is an issue to you may be beautiful to us!
•  Consider keeping a few finished images natural. In years to come, you may learn to love your imperfections.  And, your children will never believe you had braces too if they are gone from every photo.
• If you want a special style or look, tell your photographer about it. A picture ripped from a magazine can speak volumes to us in referencing a look you liked.
• If you are sure you take bad pictures, forget that and flaunt yourself at the camera instead and have fun. Every single person who has done just that has bee pleasantly surprised by the results. 

And, finally – the one thing we have learned from taking zillions of photos of people of all ages, sizes, colors, and shapes – no one is perfect, yet ever single person is beautiful in their own way.