Photoshopping babies

[Inthesamesinkingboat]

I’ve just had a targeted ad on Facebook for some baby photoshopping software. It promises to remove blemishes, blotchy skin and whiten teeth (what are they going to do- add them in???)

Am I being over sensitive in finding this truly disturbing? Does someone really look at their little baby and think “she would look so much better with a touch of airbrushing”? And is it healthy to start teaching kids from the very first photo that they need “a little help” to look their best?

Well I presume the teeth whitening is aimed more toward the maternity photography the ad mentions.

Other than that, I think it’s important to note that this ad is targeted not towards parents but towards photographers. The fact is that you’re more likely to sell the overpriced packages of photographs if the family think ‘wow we all look amazing, look how white my teeth are, and your dark circles are gone!’ Whether or not it’s my taste, I can see why a hopeful family photographer would be interested.

This would have been useful when DD1 came out in baby acne all over her face on the day of her newborn photos (a very generous gift from someone)

Kelly Brown is a world famous newborn photographer- these adverts are aimed at professional photographers, the type who take nude baby in a bucket type photos. Generally the clients expect airbrushed photos. No one wants a massive canvas with tons of temporary baby acne blown up huge. Not something I like personally but there’s a massive market for it, and not something that’s generally used for everyday photos.