As an elder millennial, the only tan lines I was ever interested in, were the type that came from tanning bed stickers to see how your tan was progressing. It was the early 2000s, and visible tan lines were something to be avoided at all costs, which was likely why you were fake-baking in the first place. To this day, I find myself carefully selecting my swimmies and slathering on sunscreen to ensure that perfectly even summer glow.
Imagine my shock when I saw a TikTok video popup on how to create fake tan lines using makeup.
*insert cricket noises*
It took me a second to process what I was watching, and then I popped into the comments to see just how crazy I should feel. The comment section, as always, was quite enlightening, and apparently tan lines are on trend!
Let's talk tan lines when it comes to photography.
Can tan lines be edited out of photos? Absolutely!
Am I automatically removing all tan lines from your photos? Nope!
As mentioned above, tan lines aren't always something to hide. I even read an article once about a bride who intentionally had tan lines on her wrist from a stack of bangles that were in memory of a loved one. The photographer assumed the bride wanted her skin tone evened out, so they removed the tan lines, and the client was extremely upset.
I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as too much communication. When it comes to cosmetic edits, it's always best to have an open and honest conversation with your photographer about any concerns you may have. While prevention and planning ahead are always the best methods, should you find yourself with a tan line you just can't kick, talk to your photographer. Personally, I will never make an assumption that you want something edited or altered. If you notice something after you receive your gallery, that is the time to take advantage of any additional edits or touchups your photographer may have offered. With all of my photo packages, clients are advised that additional edits can be made to a select number of images, free of charge, and that includes tan lines!
So tell me, what's YOUR take on tan lines?
"Let's Talk will be a regular feature on the blog. This will be a space to chat about a variety of topics as they relate to your photography experience. If there's a topic you'd like me to talk about, send me your ideas! richelecole@gmail.com
