You Deserve to Be Seen, Not Just Photographed
If you’ve ever looked at a photo of yourself and felt like something was just... off, you’re not alone. For many people of colour, especially those with deeper skin tones, photography hasn’t always felt like a space where they’re seen properly. As a photographer who proudly works with and celebrates people of colour, I know how often clients come to me with stories of being photographed in ways that didn’t honour their skin, their features, or their presence. That’s not okay. And it’s why I’ve made it my mission to get it right.
This blog is for you—my future clients, my fellow POC, my community. I want you to know why I take skin tone so seriously, what it means to photograph you with care and accuracy, and why every detail matters when you’re in front of my lens.
The Problem with "One-Size-Fits-All" Editing
Let’s start with what goes wrong. Most editing styles and filters you see trending on Instagram or Pinterest were never designed with our skin in mind. Presets created with light skin tones as the default often miss the mark entirely when applied to brown or Black skin. Instead of glowing, our skin looks dull. Instead of warm and rich, it looks grey or washed out. Golden undertones disappear. Melanin loses its brilliance.
You deserve better than that.
Poor editing doesn’t just miss the technical mark—it tells a subtle story. A story where our skin is toned down, muted, or made to conform to someone else’s idea of “neutral.” But skin tone isn’t something to neutralize. It’s something to highlight. To celebrate.
Why Getting Skin Tone Right Is About More Than Just Technique
Photographing skin accurately is not just about colour balance. It’s about respect. When you see an image of yourself that honours your natural tones, your richness, your warmth, it does something to your spirit. It tells you: you are seen. You are worthy of being captured exactly as you are.
For many of my clients, this is deeply emotional. Some have never had a photo that really reflected their beauty. Some have only seen themselves in harsh lighting or with washed-out edits that make them look like a different version of themselves. That disconnect can run deep.
That’s why I approach every session with intention. Because you’re not just hiring me to take pictures. You’re hiring me to see you clearly—and to make sure you see yourself clearly, too.
The Way I Photograph People of Colour, Start to Finish
Every step of my process is designed with care. Here's what that looks like in real terms:
1. Lighting that Loves Your Skin
Natural light is my best friend, especially during golden hour. The way it wraps around deeper tones is unmatched. In studio settings, I avoid anything too harsh or flat. I shape light with intention, using tools and setups that enhance the natural glow of melanin rather than overpower it.
2. Camera Settings with You in Mind
I adjust my camera settings not based on default exposure readings, but based on your skin. I often underexpose slightly to protect the natural highlights on your face, so that we maintain richness and detail. It’s about preserving your radiance, not flattening it.
3. Creating a Comfortable Space
I photograph best when we’re collaborating. I ask questions, I listen, and I make space for your personality to come through. Whether it’s a portrait session, a branding shoot, or a wedding, my job is to make you feel seen and celebrated from the first frame to the last.
4. Editing That Celebrates, Not Erases
This is where the magic happens—but it’s subtle magic. My editing process is all about keeping your natural tones intact. I don’t use one-click presets that strip away contrast or desaturate warmth. I manually adjust every photo, monitor white balance based on your complexion, and check my edits on multiple devices to make sure the final gallery reflects the same beauty I saw in front of my camera.
What You’ll See in Your Final Gallery
When you open your gallery, I want you to feel something. I want you to feel like you’re looking at yourself—not a filtered or “corrected” version, but the real, powerful, beautiful you. I want you to see your skin glowing in the sunlight, your joy shining through, your truth held with care.
Over the years, the feedback I get most from my clients is that they feel like themselves in my photos. That they finally see their features, their skin, and their stories reflected honestly. That’s the goal. Every single time.
Why This Matters So Much to Me
As a woman of colour, I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve seen how images can either honour or flatten who we are. I’ve experienced the sting of being misrepresented, and the joy of finally being captured with care. That experience is at the heart of how I approach every shoot.
You deserve photos that feel like home. You deserve to be celebrated in your fullness. And you deserve a photographer who understands that this is not just about taking a nice picture, it’s about capturing your truth.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a photographer who won’t treat your skin tone as an afterthought, who will light you with intention, edit with precision, and make sure you feel seen from the moment we start, I’m here.
This is my promise: to photograph you with care, with skill, and with heart.
