Picture not-so-perfect

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Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen is reported to be extremely fussy about how she looks in photographs and does not approve of bad ones. Recently, she even demanded that photographers make changes in pictures during an event in which she did not like herself.

Hollywood actress Amanda Bynes recently threatened to sue a magazine for using her old pictures, where she wasn’t looking her best. In the glamour world the obsession for looking picture perfect is not new, but where does one draw the line when it comes to retouching the pictures? We find out how professionals behind the camera deal with nagging stars who are overly image-conscious.
Celebrity photographer Vikram Bawa, who has shot many actors and models for various publications, reveals that as a photographer he is flexible to an extent while dealing with A-listers. He says, “Most of the time the star I am shooting wants a picture that goes with her public image. Celebrities get too fussy about their images usually because they have to uphold a certain image among their fans. However, as a photographer I don’t like too much interference in my work. To an extent, we allow touching up of the pictures, but if someone becomes too pushy, I put my foot down. I have observed that after a point even magazines politely ask the stars to steer clear of the editorial decisions.”
Sometimes the cover girls behave in a very unprofessional manner and throw too many tantrums at photo shoots, discloses Isha Sharma, stylist and art director of a popular fashion magazine. She says, “While working with a certain A-list Bollywood actress, we had a tough time at the photo shoot. She wouldn’t let our photographer click her the way we had planned the theme of the shoot. After frequent intervals she would take breaks and kept fretting about her clothes and how she looked in the pictures. At the time of production too she wanted to know how we were using the pictures. Later, we got to know that she had even called our editor but got a stern reply from her.”
Vikram Seth, stylist and image consultant, mentions how some stars lose their goodwill in the market due to incessant interference and unprofessional behaviour. He says, “There were times when I had to deal with snooty actors and models for magazines or print ads, and it was very difficult to convince them to work in a cordial manner. I remember once we organised a photoshoot with a Bollywood actress and till the last moment she was okay with the outfit. However, on the day of the shoot, she started throwing her weight and kept the shoot on hold till she got a new outfit. Even the photographer had a tough time making her pose according to the requirement of the theme.”
However, Karuna Singh (name changed on request), a celebrity media manager, reveals that most stars these days prefer their own photographers and stylists for magazine shoots. She says, “When a top celebrity agrees for a magazine shoot they usually get their own team of professionals rather than going for a magazine photographer. The cost of the photoshoot is either taken care of by the sponsors or the publication house. The stars don’t trust lesser-known photographers because they want to look perfect in their pictures.”