Connor Photography wrote:
I will not be turned off by cutting scares.  It is so easy to fix in Photoshop either completely remove it or minimize the scare.  It is no big deal.  Actually I found it is unique and it is part of her character. 

YMMV

What Connor said, some photographers especially like to shoot scars, and make quite beautiful art with body scapes, for example. Check for some older threads, I'm sure you'll stumble across some useful contacts.

Dea and the Beast wrote:
It isn't anyone's business what the scars are from, but if prominent, I would offer a selfie and put a line about the scarring in your profile, just like if you had any other special body mods (implants, gauges, etc. ).

I don't know if you can even them out a bit more, like stretch marks do, ( I tried with coconut oil and sun bed once a week.. works pretty well), but since you say they're not very prominent, depending on what shoot you'll do (a landscape nude won't matter.. beauty close-up- yes).

All the best!

I like to know about things I may have to deal with, or that I may be able to use in a creative manner.  I agree with the amazing woman above me, that it is none of my business or concern how something occurred.  If you feel that sharing your story can help to educate people, or to help people that may be experiencing what you have experienced, please feel free to help others.  Someone's else's idle curiosity is something you can indulge or ignore.

In your profile, you can mention the scars and provide the link (I have not looked at the photo yet), just as you have here.

Edit:
I came back and looked at your links.  The third one, I can't see the marks at all.  Only in the close ups.  Maybe a MUA would chime in, but I would expect that those could be easily hidden with make up.  As a painter, ultimately stuff like that matters little because I am certainly not going to try to paint them in.

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:
Agreed, I have seen a few slight scars which are no problem to fix and scars on arms tha looked like they went through a meat grinder. The later was impossible to fix. In that case the model should disclose they have significant and prominent scaring. The reason doesn't mater, but the photographer needs to know what he is dealing with. Especially if the model expects to be pad.

That is why it is so important that every model in their portfolio should has a series of unretouch boring digital Polaroids.  Buyers can examine the good before ordering.............LOL

However, there is NO need to explain why there are tattoos, piercing, scares or whatever !!!

vi0letdreamer wrote:
... or just show up to the shoot without saying anything? ...

Personally, I would find the above to be very poor etiquette. Perhaps think of it this way: you already know that the scars might be an issue for the photographer (as evidenced by you starting this thread). If you go ahead and disregard that issue, you're indicating that you don't care that it may or may not cause the photographer additional time in editing, or that it may affect the shoot concept, or the images, or the wardrobe decisions, or...

In my opinion, that's disrespectful of another person's time and effort.

I shoot scars often, but I want to know about them (and request snapshots, if they aren't evident) ahead of time so I can build them into my shoot plan (or not).

vi0letdreamer wrote:
When is it appropriate to disclose to people interested in working with me [...]?
Should I state it on my profile (though I'd feel weird about having it as public knowledge), tell people after they express interest in collaborating, or just show up to the shoot without saying anything?

It might be useful to separate two questions: a) should you mention you have scars(?), and the other thing: b) should you mention where they come from(?).
To me it seems that your actual concern is less about having scars, but rather about how you got them.

a) Pointing to the other replies, there was good advice already.
In some models' bios I read lines like "I have some scars here and there, but they can easily be covered/edited out..."
It may help the photographer to cast the model and plan the shoot.
Like Connor, there are plenty of photographers who are not

Connor Photography wrote:
[...] turned off by cutting scares.

b) Regarding whether you should disclose how you got those scars: if you don't want the reason to be public, don't state it in your profile, and yes, it's wise to take public knowledge into consideration.
The fact you have scars is one thing, an info probably useful for a photographer; how you got them is another thing. Like Dea (and others) said, this is no one's business and you are not obligated to tell anyone if you don't want to, so don't feel any pressure.

*On a more personal side note)
Actually, the most important thing is that you're fine. You are not alone with what you've been through and it is nothing you need to feel ashamed of. In fact, fights you've won show your strength and I am happy to see that you gained confidence.
Especially when there are issues we can't hide completely, it can make us feel insecure and we start to worry what others may think, or we feel the urge to explain ourselves. Then it is time to gain confidence and going on with being creative.

If one has health issues others should know about in case of emergency (e.g. allergic reactions) that would be something different, however, of course also no reason to feel ashamed.

So, if it is about the scars, list them as an information that helps a photographer to set up the shoot. If it is about where they come from, you can be confident, since honesty doesn't mean you have to pour out your soul to anyone and everyone.

Rays Fine Art wrote:
My opinion only, but I feel that if there's a reasonable chance that they  might affect the photographer's work or work flow, he should know in advance, so it's pretty much a matter of how much information you want to give out before getting some information from the photographer.  I'd say that a line in your profile  like, "I have several scars that may or may not be visible in the final photographs.  I'd be happy to discuss them with you when we plan the shoot." would be more than sufficient.

All IMHO as always, of course.

I think Ray's answer is the perfect solution. Yes, you definitely need to make photographers you will be working with aware of any scars or other issues before they book you to work with them.  However, you do not need to go into any great detail in your profile unless you choose to. It would be fine to discuss them further with the individual at the time you are making plans.

Some people may want to be totally open about such things and go into detail in their profile, which is fine if that's how they feel, but you don't need to say any more than a statement that you have some scars. Including a shot where they are clearly visible also helps people decide if they are a challenge to retouch, or if they would want to have them showing.  I have scars and discolorations from medical issues, which I have clearly stated in my profile and shown in some photos, and it has never been a problem for anyone to make a decision whether to work with me or not based upon that information.

vi0letdreamer wrote:
I've searched the forums but can't seem to find information on this topic. When is it appropriate to disclose to people interested in working with me that I have some old scars? Should I state it on my profile (though I'd feel weird about having it as public knowledge), tell people after they express interest in collaborating, or just show up to the shoot without saying anything? For context, they're all 1-2 years old. There are 5-10 long-ish ones on the front and 20-30 really short ones down the side of my forearm (like the lower panel of this: https://21494dc99b6f931a50cf-af837cc28e … hoto-1.jpg ). Additionally, there are 4 on my mid-thigh area (like this but a little pinker, though I've definitely noticed they're becoming more skin-colored as they heal further: https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-6 … db96dd68-c ). I've been able to edit them out myself in Photoshop but it mostly hasn't been necessary as they're not too visible from a distance. I'd appreciate some perspective from anyone who has dealt with this issue from either side of the camera.

Edit: This is the photo they're most visible in https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/42545715 (I didn't edit them at all, they're on the arm with the flower tattoo and the thigh on the opposite side)

I had this moment when I was photographing a model a few years back. Her scars were a combination of old and new (some I suspected were only a few days old), which made it a different situation to yours. If they were entirely old, I wouldn't think anything of it. We all have a past and old scars mean you've moved past whatever it was so I would retouch them without saying a word to you about it, New scars were more of an issue because they meant the problem was existing. In this instance, the model and I had developed a good working relationship so I felt I could check in with her and see if there was anything I could do to help. She told me she was getting help so I let it go but depending on my interaction with the model, I may not have said anything. As with most things dealing with people, how you react is sometimes on a case by case basis, depending on the situation.

EDIT. Perhaps you could state on your profile that you have these scars, like you have here, without needing to mention why or how. It could be from a few different things and you certainly don't need to tell everyone everything

Connor Photography wrote:

That is why it is so important that every model in their portfolio should has a series of unretouch boring digital Polaroids.  Buyers can examine the good before ordering.............LOL

However, there is NO need to explain why there are tattoos, piercing, scares or whatever !!!

Thats what I said

Python Photos wrote:
I've occasionally run into models who had a few bruises on arms or legs. I editing them out of the final photos, and that's fine. I don't want anyone to have bruises from abuse of any kind, but life is life. If a model picks up a bruise or two from living an active life, I'm happy to see that she's living an active life.

Most of my broken bones, ER visits, sprains, bruises, in the past 10 years have come from modeling jobs.

Ionalynn wrote:
Most of my broken bones, ER visits, sprains, bruises, in the past 10 years have come from modeling jobs.

Did you have fun though?

vi0letdreamer wrote:
I've searched the forums but can't seem to find information on this topic. When is it appropriate to disclose to people interested in working with me that I have some old scars? Should I state it on my profile (though I'd feel weird about having it as public knowledge), tell people after they express interest in collaborating, or just show up to the shoot without saying anything? For context, they're all 1-2 years old. There are 5-10 long-ish ones on the front and 20-30 really short ones down the side of my forearm (like the lower panel of this: https://21494dc99b6f931a50cf-af837cc28e … hoto-1.jpg ). Additionally, there are 4 on my mid-thigh area (like this but a little pinker, though I've definitely noticed they're becoming more skin-colored as they heal further: https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-6 … db96dd68-c ). I've been able to edit them out myself in Photoshop but it mostly hasn't been necessary as they're not too visible from a distance. I'd appreciate some perspective from anyone who has dealt with this issue from either side of the camera.

Edit: This is the photo they're most visible in https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/42545715 (I didn't edit them at all, they're on the arm with the flower tattoo and the thigh on the opposite side)

I think the consensus is its desirable that you mention the scars (could be on profile, or in early communication), no one needs to know the whys or how's unless you want to discuss it.

Rays Fine Art wrote:
My opinion only, but I feel that if there's a reasonable cahnce that they  might affect the photographer's work or work flow, he should know in advance, so it's pretty much a matter of how much information you want to give out before getting some information from the photographer.  I'd say that a line in your profile  like, "I have several scars that may or may not be visible in the final photographs.  I'd be happy to discuss them with you when we plan the shoot." would be more than sufficient.

All IMHO as always, of course.

+1, but change to "I have several scars that may or may not be visible in the final photographs.  I'd be happy to share the password to my unretouched images with you when we plan the shoot."

Since you are a VIP, you can easily add a password-protected folder of "unedited, no makeup" shots. Many still refer to these as Polaroids. You show your face without makeup. Generally, one with your hair pulled up, and another with your hair hanging down. Smile in one, and expressionless in the other. Profiles, too. Full length shots of your front, sides, and back. Then shots of your tattoos, piercings, and scars. For fun, add a closeup of your toes, knees, or armpits - tell people someone asked for them. Give the password out to those that ask when you start planning a shoot.

This places the burden on the photographer. You've disclosed that fact you have some scars. You've offered to share the images at the time of booking. If they don't ask or don't look through the images, that is on them.

Some will be scared away. No worries. Better they not complain when you arrive.

Side note: talk with a gifted make-up artist. They may have a trick or two up their talented sleeves. I had one expert in concealing tattoos. Others, well, they just applied a ton of makeup, and it looked lousy and stained clothing. You are not the only model who has marks.

Tell the nosy folks you rescued a kitten but it turned out to be a bobcat, or you dated Johnny Depp when he was portraying Edward Scissorhands. No one needs to know unless you want them to know.

vi0letdreamer wrote:
....Should I state it on my profile (though I'd feel weird about having it as public knowledge...

Just keep in mind that even your post in this forum is open to some of the public. Nothing on the internet stays secret!

PM_Photography wrote:

Just keep in mind that even your post in this forum is open to some of the public. Nothing on the internet stays secret!

Well yeah but as far as I know, your forum posts don't show anywhere on your profile