It’s Me, But Could I Be… Less Me?
If you’ve ever looked at a photo of yourself and immediately zoomed in on the tiny roll, wrinkle, or spot, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too – and so have many of my clients. One branding client once asked if I could remove a small tummy roll. After a chat, she paused, reflected, and told me, “Actually, I want to look how I really am. That’s kind of the point.”
That moment stuck with me, because it’s what I believe at my core.
As a documentary-style family and brand photographer, retouching just doesn’t sit right with how I see people – and how I believe you deserve to be seen. Not edited. Not made smaller or smoother. But seen.
The Pressure to “Perfect”
We live in a world that’s constantly presenting us with polished, curated images – and not just from glossy magazines. It’s in our Instagram feeds, our Zoom calls with filters, our celebrity culture. And it’s easy, maybe even natural, to think that’s what our photos should look like too.
But perfection isn’t real. And chasing it in your imagery often means covering up the most powerful parts of who you are:
- The laugh lines that show the life you’ve lived
- The stretch marks that tell your story
- The soft curve that held your child
- The stubborn curl that always stands up no matter how much you smooth it
Whether you’re booking a family session or branding shoot, I want the real you – not the edited version of yourself we’ve been told we need to present.
Here’s what that looks like in practice, and why I think it matters more than any touch-up could.
What “Editing” Really Means (and What I Do Differently)
I don’t retouch bodies or faces – because you’re already enough
“Retouching” in photography often refers to changing physical features: shrinking something here, smoothing something there, erasing parts of a face or body. That can range from heavy skin blur to reshaping features that were perfectly fine to begin with.
In my photography – whether family or brand – I never do that.
I won’t make you thinner, remove your wrinkles, or change your body. I deeply believe that the people who love you, buy from you, or connect with you want to see… you. Not a polished placeholder.
Instead, I focus on:
- Capturing connection, emotion, and real presence
- Lightly editing the tone, light, and colour to enhance feeling
- And in my branding photos, I remove minor, momentary distractions only if necessary (think a bit of lint or an unexpected spot that doesn’t reflect your everyday)
In branding sessions, I might do slightly more editing than in documentary family work – especially if there’s something that’s clearly temporary and very distracting. But I draw the line at editing you. Because your future self, your clients, and your kids all deserve to see the full picture.
The beauty of “flaws” in storytelling
You might not love every single thing in your photos. That’s okay. Often we’re our own harshest critics. We fixate on things others wouldn’t even notice. But let me offer this: What if those tiny things we call “flaws” are actually part of your magic?
Maybe that crinkled nose laugh is exactly what your partner adores.
Maybe your expressive hands are what make you a powerful speaker.
Maybe your stretch marks show the journey of motherhood and radical love.
I know it’s not always easy to see your images and accept them straight away. But give yourself a moment. Then look again.
What if the very things you’re tempted to hide are the things your people love most about you?
If you want to read more about this then you can read my blog post: What if I do not like myself in my branding images?
Your people want the real you – not the airbrushed version
Especially in personal branding, authenticity matters. Your imagery isn’t about being flawless. It’s about showing up with heart and confidence, even (especially) if you’re still on the journey. The women I photograph are coaches, creatives, artists, speakers – and every one of them brings their mission to life through real connection.
And when it comes to family photos, this truth runs even deeper. Your children don’t want the polished, magazine-perfect version of you. They want the mom, the parent, the person they know and love — the one who snuggles them at bedtime, laughs loud, and shows up fully. When you let yourself be photographed as you are, you’re not just preserving memories for them, you’re also modeling self-love and acceptance. That message is powerful. Someday, when they look back at these photos, they’ll see the real you — and know they’re allowed to love themselves just as fully too.
Filtering out “imperfections” can unintentionally silence part of your story. But leaning into truth? That creates trust.
This Work Is About Honouring Your Whole Self
When I step behind the camera, I’m not looking for perfection. I’m looking to witness something true.
Whether we’re documenting family life – with nappies in the corner, Lego underfoot, and kids who won’t stop moving – or crafting brand photography that feels fresh, inspiring, and honest, the goal is always the same:
To show you what others see in you. To give your kids and your clients images that feel real. To help you step into your frame with pride.
Because you deserve to be visible. Your wrinkles, your softness, your energy, your presence – they all belong in the photo.
Ready to Be Seen as You Are?
If this resonates with you – if you’re tired of trying to fit into someone else’s version of “beautiful” and want honest, thoughtful photography that embraces you as you are – I’d love to work together.
I offer:
- Natural documentary family photography sessions in London and surrounding areas
- In-home newborn sessions
- Personal branding photo shoots for passionate businesses and entrepreneurs
- Storytelling sessions for charities and nonprofits
Whether you’re booking a session for your brand or for your family, the heart of the work is the same: to honour you exactly as you are, and to preserve that truth for the people who matter most.
Let’s make something meaningful. Get in touch here.
And next time you look at a photo and start picking yourself apart – try to take a breath and remember: You are already enough.
