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Models with acne rant
Is it too much to expect that a model (even a semi-pro or amateur model) take care of themselves? OK, so you're in your early 20's and you like to party, and smoke, and eat garbage, fine. But it's a little, dare I say - unprofessional to say the least if you expect to show up and work with bumps all over your face. I'm in the middle of having to retouch acne on a few dozen images of a model I paid good money to and I'm not talking about a blemish, I'm talking about acne. And from what I can tell, this acne is more than likely a result of the above named causes (and this isn't worthy of a debate here.) And this isn't the first time in the recent past I've had to deal with acne. As a photographer, I maintain myself, my eyes, and my gear, so is it too much to ask that a model maintain themselves also? Eat healthy, drink enough water, curtail smoking, get enough sleep, etc? I can't possibly be expecting too much here in that regard, right? Mar 20 14 08:58 pm Link Why don't you ask for a untouched picture of the model beforehand? If you can see it in person, then why didn't you bring it up and just cancel the shoot? Mar 20 14 09:04 pm Link Sometimes acne has a genetic basis and no matter what a model eats or how she lives her lifestyle, she still gets it. Don't be so quick to judge. Mar 20 14 09:06 pm Link That's why people hire makeup artists. Also, I don't think you can tell the causes of acne by looking at a person. But if you saw it and she wasn't what you expected or wanted, you should have canceled. Especially since you paid her. Mar 20 14 09:08 pm Link If you're paying a model out of your own pocket for your portfolio, you get to make decisions like which model you pay. If the model has a portfolio full of images that looks like flawless skin, but shows up looking like she fell asleep on a cheese grater, you have every right to turn her away. But in the future, it might be a good idea to ask for a simple selfie without a ton of makup on so you know what you're working with. Sure, you can wish that models just magically had flawless skin. Some do. Most don't. Just like models can wish that photographers didn't smell bad, or have really dirty bathrooms for them to change in, or didn't touch them to move hair or adjust panties. Make your expectations known to the model and the model will probably let you know if she can meet those expectations or not. Mar 20 14 09:08 pm Link Congrats way to generalize people with skin problems. If you don't like photoshopping models just ask beforehand if they have any acne. Mar 20 14 09:09 pm Link Heather S Kennedy wrote: My response is, then perhaps that person is in the wrong business. Too often models expect post production to correct all of the flaws. That's not what modeling is about in my opinion. If I want to be a pro soccer player, but I don't possess all of the attributes that can make me successful, then I have to accept the fact that I need to look for another career. Mar 20 14 09:10 pm Link Chris Santucci wrote: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Acne/acne_ff.asp What Causes Acne? How does one prevent something whose cause is unknown? I can't possibly be expecting too much here in that regard, right? Honestly, it sounds like a problem in casting. You had the opportunity to ask for unretouched, makeup-free photos before hiring her, yet you chose to hire her anyway. Mar 20 14 09:21 pm Link Gryph wrote: Should I also ask for photographic proof of female genitalia? A birth certificate to prove age? Shouldn't some things be a given? I think this certainly should. Heather S Kennedy wrote: That's kind of irrelevant. If I was legally blind due to a "genetic basis" then I have no business trying to compose and focus with a camera do I? T Smalls Photography wrote: Makeup can only do so much. You can't hide acne bumps with makeup. bmiSTUDIO wrote: Exactly. It's a pretty reasonable expectation that a model have decent skin. I can deal with a blemish here and there, but whole crops of bumps on jaw and forehead - that's too much. If you can't maintain yourself or have some genetic acne (umkaayyy), then don't model. Mar 20 14 09:23 pm Link Brian Diaz wrote: I've never ever heard of asking a model for "unretouched, makeup-free photos" prior to a booking. When would such a thing take place? A week before? A day before? If a model markets themselves as a model, then one should assume that they don't have permanent acne, right? See where I'm going with this? Mar 20 14 09:27 pm Link Chris Santucci wrote: The primary reason to hire a model is that her or his look is the one you want to photograph. Don't you think it is reasonable to see that look before investing money in it? Mar 20 14 09:29 pm Link It's also a pretty reasonable expectation to ask to see what you're getting before offering to fly someone out. Maybe next time you'll own up and ask for that untouched pic? Mar 20 14 09:32 pm Link I think acne on the ass is worse. Try spending 2 hours clearing bumps from the humps. Mar 20 14 09:34 pm Link I have worked with a model who had bed bug bites. Mar 20 14 09:35 pm Link Danielle Reid wrote: Ewww! Mar 20 14 09:35 pm Link Chris Santucci wrote: I'd suggest something like this: Dear model, If a model balks at sending such photos, don't hire that model. If a model's look doesn't fit your vision, don't hire that model. Mar 20 14 09:35 pm Link bmiSTUDIO wrote: I model and generally do not anticipate any post processing. As a new photographer I do little post processing as well. Although I do agree that the photographer might have needed to have a conversation upfront about her skin not being as it appeared in her portfolio that day and if they needed to reschedule when her breakout went into remission. Mar 20 14 09:36 pm Link Chris Santucci wrote: Gryph wrote: Should I also ask for photographic proof of female genitalia? A birth certificate to prove age? Shouldn't some things be a given? I think this certainly should. Heather S Kennedy wrote: That's kind of irrelevant. If I was legally blind due to a "genetic basis" then I have no business trying to compose and focus with a camera do I? T Smalls Photography wrote: Makeup can only do so much. You can't hide acne bumps with makeup. Why should it be a given? Many models have to deal with wearing tons of makeup that is for harsh for the skin hours at time sometimes in unideal environments, along with being unable to properly clean everything especially if they are traveling model. Also many of us females have our hormones go crazy during that time of the month. Kinda hard to maintain flawless skin 24/7 when our bodies are just doing what a body does. Mar 20 14 09:36 pm Link While I agree that models are expected to have great skin (and I myself am quite fortunate in that department), understand that acne is not necessarily indicative of someone "not taking care of themself". Sometimes it is a genetic or hormonal issue. It even happens sometimes to people with great skincare routines, who drink a ton of water, eat immaculately, and get a lot of sleep. Also, modelling itself is the perfect environment for causing acne. You are constantly having new products applied to your face and camera makeup is extremely heavy compared to makeup you might wear out in daily life. It's perfectly reasonable to ask for recent (or even same day) unretouched no makeup digitals to prevent booking someone with bad skin. Mar 20 14 09:37 pm Link Chris Santucci wrote: It's perfectly reasonable to ask this. Some models even include these photos in their MM ports. Mar 20 14 09:37 pm Link Going to a casting in person for 5 minutes where they snap a picture or 2 or to have someone ask you to email them current unedited no make up pictures is very common and saves everyone a lot of time. If the model arrives to the shoot not as advertised, then you as the client and photographer can say "I'm sorry, you are not as you advertised, I can not go forward with the shoot." which is why asking for a current snapshot is great for everyone! And yes, acne can be a problem for many people no matter what they do, as well as many other skin conditions (eczema, hives, etc). A really good make up artist can help a lot. Mar 20 14 09:40 pm Link Chris Santucci wrote: Hi, Mar 20 14 09:40 pm Link Chris Santucci wrote: Gryph wrote: Should I also ask for photographic proof of female genitalia? A birth certificate to prove age? Shouldn't some things be a given? I think this certainly should. Heather S Kennedy wrote: That's kind of irrelevant. If I was legally blind due to a "genetic basis" then I have no business trying to compose and focus with a camera do I? T Smalls Photography wrote: Makeup can only do so much. You can't hide acne bumps with makeup. Now you just sound whiny. Mar 20 14 09:41 pm Link I almost always have at least one pimple hanging out somewhere on my face. I take care of my body and my skin and am even on medication to reduce breakouts. Some people just have bad luck in the skin department. It's never been an issue before for a photographer. It literally takes one second to fix up a pimple in post (and if you have a makeup artist who does a good job you won't even need to do that) so I don't know what the big deal is for you. Now if they've got tons of acne and you thought you were getting someone with perfect skin then maybe you should have done your homework and asked for an un-retouched photo or even asked photographers who've shot with her if you're really into perfect skin. Mar 20 14 09:41 pm Link Chris Santucci wrote: Assuming things from unsigned models is why you got yourself in this situation in the first place. This sounds more like a YOU problem. Mar 20 14 09:43 pm Link Danielle Reid wrote: Granted, makeup has a much greater effect on coloration than texture when it comes to acne. The best way to handle texture is with lighting. Mar 20 14 09:54 pm Link OP has unrealistic expectations Poor casting skills Flawed hiring practices You only have yourself to blame here Mar 20 14 09:59 pm Link Thank you for feeling the need to immortalize your shitty mood in a searchable format. It reflects really well on you as a professional to say ignorant and judgmental things about what is, ultimately, a medical issue. Even if it's your opinion that no one with acne should model, which, of course, you're entitled to think, you don't need to make rude and unnecessary speculations as to the cause of this condition. Chris Santucci wrote: Chris Santucci wrote: If a model has permanent acne, as you say, then it very likely woudn't be because of partying or smoking. Mar 21 14 04:12 am Link Danielle Reid wrote: Danielle - next time somebody asks you to do this just say 'NO!'. Mar 21 14 04:15 am Link bmiSTUDIO wrote: I tend to agree with this. While everyone may get a pimple or two sometimes, I don't think full blown acne is something that one can have and expect to model professionally. In the areas I work, models are expected to have a few basic things: Clean hair, clean nails, and clear skin. If you show up without these basic things, your chance of booking drops when compared to the many girls who do. Mar 21 14 04:41 am Link RacerXPhoto wrote: This pretty much sums it up. To play devil's advocate, I kind of agree if you suffer from more than occasional blemishes, if you have bad acne, poc marks etc, you might consider a different career. Mar 21 14 04:42 am Link Danielle Reid wrote: Even worse than a hairy ass.... yes it does happen. Mar 21 14 04:57 am Link Ida Saint-Luc wrote: Yep. Mar 21 14 05:27 am Link The Something Guy wrote: Or hairy nipples! Mar 21 14 05:29 am Link Good Egg Productions wrote: heh Mar 21 14 05:36 am Link Casting skills are the primary culprit. Hire someone like Mosh and you'll need very little post processing on skin. Hire someone with skin like Danny and you might brush up on your lighting, makeup AND post processing skills.  Mar 21 14 05:39 am Link Machete that acne. Mar 21 14 05:43 am Link RacerXPhoto wrote: ^^this^^ Mar 21 14 05:52 am Link Anything can be fixed post production opens the door to anyone can become a Model. Mar 21 14 05:56 am Link Chris Santucci wrote: So you didn't think to ask for an unretouched image, nobody to blame but yourself. Mar 21 14 05:57 am Link |
