Retouching skin

[mandyatm]

I work primarily with families with young children or newborns. The parents usually ask me to remove any bug bites or scratches, but I always leave anything permanent alone. I just did a senior session and the boy had severe acne. I really don't know how much retouching to do. On the one hand, I don't want to offend him or his mom by removing it. On the other hand, the mom has seen my work and my subjects have great skin. I also feel that asking the mom might offend her as well. I am just staring at these pictures and I am not sure what to do. Any advice from people who have worked with male seniors?

[oldwolf]

Ask the mom.

[monkeygirl123]

I think honesty is the best policy, but in a tactful way. Explain that you've presented so many photographs of seniors to moms who absolutely adore them, but the seniors - especially the girls - have hated them because (teenagers being teenagers) they have wanted to be completely blemish free. Tell her that you don't want her son to be disappointed, so does she think he would want you to give him a completely clear complexion. That way you're kind of telling her that you think he looks perfectly fine the way he is and it'll give her the opportunity to agree with you but make a decision on what she thinks he would like.

[mandyatm]

Well she knows I haven't done many seniors, but I guess I could say that out of the couple I did do, they wanted clear complexions. I don't mind doing the retouching but I just don't want to hurt any feelings, since it would be obvious that I did extensive work. Thanks!