Tacoma Studio Model Shoot

This Tacoma studio model shoot was the perfect opportunity to catch up with a lovely friend and get some seriously cute pictures too! Part of what I love about the AHP community is the lifelong friendships we build. Between the girls on the model team and my seniors and their families, we learn so much about each other and always have a fun time along the way. Andréa was part of the 2020 AHP Model Team. We have become close friends since those days! For this shoot, she came into the studio to help me test out some new gear, and of course, she did an AH-mazing job!! 

Testing Shoot Ideas

Studio model shoots are great for so many reasons! One of the advantages of these types of shoots is how creative they allow us to be. Model shoots are the perfect time for us to test new techniques, styles, and more. During this session, Andréa and I played around with some new props and some awesome poses. This chick knows how to pose, so it’s always a blast seeing what new looks we can create together! Some of the images from the shoot were shot in natural light and some with strobes. Can you tell the difference?? We also did an array of backgrounds: dark charcoal, honey yellow, and the classic bright white of our huge studio windows. Getting a variety of looks to choose from is always an important part of any shoot! 

Editing VS. Retouching

One of the main goals in all of my sessions is to capture the beauty of every one of my clients. I feel at my most beautiful when I am in a space that builds my confidence and protects my sense of self. That is exactly the type of atmosphere I strive to create for my clients in our photography sessions AND in my editing room. All of Andréa’s photos below are edited but not retouched. The difference between editing and retouching has to do with the authenticity of the shot. Editing is a basic correction of an image, like cropping, cleaning-up backgrounds, color alteration, etc. While these edits change the look of our image, they are NOT making edits to the models. Retouching, however, is manipulating images to change different elements in the photo. We are used to seeing images like this in the media, depicting models with seemingly flawless skin, bodies, and so much more. These unrealistic portrayals of beauty are the result of endless retouching. 

The Image of Perfection

With all of the media exposure depicting retouched images, it can be easy to fall into this “perfect” trap where we expect that an idealized image of perfection is how all professional photos need to look. But by believing that, we take the humanity out of portraits. We no longer embrace the natural beauty and differences of our models. By retouching them, aren’t we saying that they aren’t good enough just as they are? Does any part of that sound uplifting? Before we airbrush or nip and tuck away at a photo, we have to stop and ask ourselves what message we are sending. Whether it is a model shoot or a senior portrait session, all of the people in front of our camera deserve to feel beautiful just as they are. That’s why we don’t believe in an image of perfection. Each one of the people we photograph shows us how perfect and imperfect they are in their own way, and we love them for it! How could we edit that away??

Let’s Connect!

There are so many ways to get in touch to book your studio model shoot in Tacoma with AHP! Make sure you are following us on Instagram, and send a DM to get the conversation started. You can also fill out the easy-to-use contact form on my website, email me at [email protected], or call/text me at 530-412-0730. I can’t wait to hear from you!