Hello everybody,

So after being in the hobby for ten months, I finally got some professional pics! Before, I was paying a broke college kid with a bad camera to do them, but I really enjoyed his style and taste of photography and always loved the pictures. But anyways, I hired a professional a few days ago. He brought a nice camera/lens and a couple different flashes. He has a amazing work, but I could tell he was tired and probably was ready to call it quits for the day. He thought I should go with two different styles for the shoot: professional and "lolita".  

Issue #1) After seeing the pictures, I'm not sure how I feel about the lolita shoot. I think it's a little boarder-line risque, especially for a provider. I already have a young face, and don't want clients to think that I am underaged. Please... give me your opinion.

Issue #2) Many of the pictures have orbs and patches on white due to the flash. is this normal in professional pictures? Can it just be photoshopped out?  

Thanks!

 
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I have been taking photos since I was a kid, but never professionally.  I have done a couple of shoots with providers as well.

Your first point is a matter of opinion and without seeing the work, I really cannot say.

Second point, yes there can be some flash blow back in a pick and yes, they can be photo shopped out.  
I like shooting in natural light whenever possible.  In the old days with film, if you shot indoors with natural light the photo had an yellowish "Warm" hue to it.  Now with digital and the control of white balance, not an issue.

Good luck.

Your photos look amazing!I wouldn't worry about it

I am one to believe that every lady should have a website that gives off a genuine feel. I love professional photos as long as they are not completely touched up so when you get together in person you realize it is not close to a fair representation.

I also feel that candid fun pictures are great because it helps show your personality, those pictures can be fully clothed to fully nude to everything in between. Not only does it help show us a bit about who you are it shows us how you really look untouched.  

Looking at the pictures on your website now, the pictures are nice, not great but nice. With that being said I would take those every time over pictures that are doctored up. I think you are very attractive and have a great profile.  

If the photos on your site are what you're referring to, I'm honestly not sure what you mean by "Lolita". Lolita is a very specific type of dress style/costuming, and I don't see that anywhere in your current photos.  

If the theme of your shoot is Lolita, then there was obviously some thought put into it, yes? It seems like you've got an interest in doing role play/fetish work, but again, your photos don't convey whether you're a switch, top, or bottom. Clarification in your text might help with this, and the Lolita photos might indicate that you're into age play. If the theme of your shoot was about age play and Lolita cosplay, then that was the theme of your shoot, and there's not a whole lot that the photographer can be held responsible for in that instance.  

If you're not happy with the editing, send a message to the photographer and ask that the lens flare be edited out.

whose judgement you trust, and ask them for their reactions to the photos.

Then apply your own judgement after you have their comments.  The pictures should reveal not only what you look like but who you are.  If the photo makes you uncomfortable for some reason, that's probably as good a reason as any not to use it; but for what it's worth, I don't think that a nice Lolita series of photos will make guys think you are underage - they know it's just a fantasy.

And finally, it's better to have bad photos from a broke college kid than have a bad college kid use a broken camera

Please know my comment on your pictures being nice but not great was referring to quality not how you look. You truly look great. You are quite beautiful.

... render a definitive opinion on Issue #1. Are there any IT specialists on here who could suggest a way to make this happen discreetly?

In general, I think a provider's website should offer no more than a dozen high-quality photos, each one showing a different outfit and offering something special about her persona.

Rachael – If your persona is itching to ooze Lolita, don't pass up an opportunity to display it. Borderline risqué? In P4P? Oh, please

After checking the pics that are currently on your website, I have to say that you look very nice in them.  Are those those the professional photos that you are referring too?

I have a friend who is professional photographer and he has alway told me that one of the most important factor when he does a photo shoot is proper lighting.  You often cannot do that with just a camera and a flash unit alone.  Additional lighting and reflectors are often setup to prevent shadowing effects, reflections, etc.  Also, little to no photoshopping should be required if the photos are taken properly to being with

or who "Lolita" is, but as you mentioned, and considering he was tired and probably was ready to call it quits for the day, I think he did a great job! The pictures are nice!

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..they show the real you. Don't change.

send them to me, and after a few hours of examination, i will be able to tell you if they are too risque or not.  but my keyboard might be too sticky to email you.  

personally, on a serious note, i as an amateur am not so sure a "professional" photographer would result in orbs and flashes on the finished product.  it sounds to me like you were less than satisfied with the whole experience.  did the photographer offer any warranty or guarantee?

i once got headshots done, and my agent hated them, and i went back to the photographer and he shot another roll of pix for free.  maybe you could get something like that

i totally missed that the first time...a professional would have reflectors umbrellas and back/side lighting, or at least make sure the natural light is enough

It's disheartening when you're not sure if you like the results of what you hoped you would get when hiring a photographer (or any other business professional for that matter).  And like others here, it's difficult for me to critique the work without knowing exactly which photos you're referring to. As far as the style(s) of photos to shoot, I'd recommend both you and the photographer include photo samples (if you hadn't done this) of what you're looking to shoot or what he/she suggests you should shoot so you know exactly what the outcome might look like.  

Also, don't be afraid to ask to see some of the shots in between shots to get an idea of what they look like. This can help open a dialog of what works and what doesn't work as you're shooting... especially if you find that the poses or angles come out a little too risque since we all have different ideas of what we consider risque.

A lolita themed shoot is supposed to imply a younger look, I guess. If you're not comfortable with portraying that, then I would recommend not using those specific photos at all because photos (aside from great reviews) are probably your biggest marketing tool. So if you're worried about that theme as it relates to how you actually look, then it might be a good idea to stay under 'that' radar, so to speak.

Regarding orbs and lens flare, yes, light - whether it's a strobe, continuous lighting, or the sun - can cause a lens flare when facing the lens at certain angles. It's very common if that's what you are trying to achieve. However, it's also fairly easy to eliminate them from happening while shooting.  

To answer your question about removing them in Photoshop, it depends. Sometimes it's easy to remove, while other times it's extremely difficult or near impossible depending on the photo. But you'd want to get permission for that type of editing from the photographer or ask if he/she can do it, otherwise you might be faced with a copyright infringement charge.

Anyway, best wishes and hope your next photoshoot turns out well

Why would she need to get permission to edit HER pics??? And why would it be copyright infringement charges???? Aren't they pics of her?

The subject of the photos do not own the rights to them unless a contract was signed stating otherwise the person taking the photo does. This holds true even if the subject is paying for the shoot. Read all contracts signed with a photographer. There may even be restrictions on use. Copyright law is very complex and often does not work the way many people think it does.

Altering copyrighted material for commercial gain like advertising unstated in you contract could and often is a breach of copyright laws.

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... a monger's desire. She had a certain, er, appeal. The movie came out in 1962 and suffered a lot from Hollywood's decency code at the time. Evidently the DVD offers a more risqué cut than I saw in 1962. Rent the movie and learn. First, though, Google "Lolita".

Sometimes when I get my photos back after a shoot and I look at the raw images there are some I do not like.
Or some that are perfect without any editing but the lightening is off or maybe the light is in the photo.
That is very easy for your photographer to photoshop that out of the photo.
The photos that you received back from the photographer is that the finished product?

If so ask him to edit the photos with the flash in them and as far as Lolita photos...well you have to go with what you are comfortable with.Can't really give an opinion on those pics unless you have them posted somewhere from the other responses sounds like those photos are not on your website.


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What Scoed posted pretty much sums it up, generally speaking. That said, let me just add that simple editing (i.e., removing a blemish or a beauty mark, etc.) may be acceptable, but altering elements of an image without the copyright holder's permission can land someone in hot water. But just to be safe, I would get permission for any type of editing, but these things should've been discussed with the photographer beforehand.

Just to reiterate, a photo of a subject, in most cases, doesn't mean that the subject owns (as in copyright) the photo to do with as they please. They can get the copyright transferred, but only in writing, and that can be much more costly and unnecessary for the intended use of the photos.

Well, there will only be charges if the copyright holder pursues legal action. Realistically speaking, the majority of the time I doubt that happens, but it's still very possible. Most photographers want to work with their clients and keep their reputations in tact so I'm willing to bet that they will try to do everything they can, within reason, to satisfy the client.

Great questions, thanks for asking!  

P.S. I noticed I received an inbox but unfortunately I don't know who sent it and am not able to retrieve it.

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I work for a photo studio (full disclosure: not a photographer), and we rarely allow the subjects to see unedited photos. There's just so much that can be done in the editing process to clean up an image, so why show the client the before when all they really want to see is the after.

And Jaydalee is right. Oftentimes when you see a photograph of yourself, all you see is what you already think is wrong with you. The images on your site are quite well done, and portray an attractive young woman.

I think your ass is big and your tits are small for the price you are asking. The pics accentuate that.

A close family member is a photographer, so maybe I can offer some help...

For issue #1, this really depends on how comfortable you are presenting yourself as a lolita.  My opinion (as a dirty 'old man!) is you ARE young, so go with it.  As long as the pics don't seem like they are old, and you're not wearing something like a local middle-school cheerleader uniform...whatever.  You are selling a fantasy, and I can guarantee your potential clients are going to look at ALL of your pictures anyway.  So they are NOT going to think you are actually underage if you balance the lolita pics with age-appropriate stuff...but they might ask you to wear "that certain outfit"

For issue #2, the photos you've seen...are they 'final', or just proofs to get your reactions?  Most of the work of a decent photographer comes after the shoot.  They may spend an hour taking pictures, and then spend 6-8 hours at the computer finalizing them.  If they are asking for which photos you like best, it's so they know which ones to spend time on in post-processing.

And if you don't really care for a certain batch, there is no harm in saying so.  It's best if you can articulate why you don't like them....but any decent photographer should be willing to do a quick reshoot

A couple other things to consider a professional photographer will shoot RAW and probably edit in Photoshop Lightroom.  I shoot and I love doing post production work but keep in mind if your checking out the photos while shooting they will appear different from the finished results.  
Some things are just photographers working and learning as they go equiptment and editing change all the time, or it could be sloppy work.  

Alyssa

I don't recall asking for the opinion of my breasts, butt, or rates; which by the way, I'm am very happy and content with all three!

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