I could take this picture of you and Photoshop it to perfection.

I could give you a tummy tuck, get rid of all your wrinkles. I could give you hair extensions or change the colour of your nails to red, even though you came wearing turquoise. I could turn you into a size two, give you bigger boobs and a smaller waist.

I could turn you into the ultimate version of yourself, perfect in every way.

But I won’t.

I won’t, because I don’t want to be part of the industry that says you aren’t beautiful if you are no longer 18. That says you are not beautiful because of the colour of your hair or skin.

I am not going to actively work to narrow society’s definition of what beauty is. I want to kick at the walls and let more beauty in.

Because you’re beautiful, even if you have alopecia, and are bald as a cue ball. You’re beautiful with your vitiligo and freckles. You’re beautiful in that body that you’ve walked around in for 30, 40, 50 years, that sags where it used to be firm and perky, with breasts that have sustained life for two, three, four children.

Beauty is an attitude. A character trait, as much or more than it is an appearance. Beauty is joy, confidence, passion, pleasure, happiness. Your smile is beautiful, as is your laugh.

If you want someone who will take and turn you into a parody of who you are, I’m not the photographer for you.

Which is not to say I do nothing. Yes, I have Photoshop, and I will use it, sparingly.

I will use it to get rid of distracting objects in the background (I hate wall sockets with a passion). I have used it to extend a background so that the bed that you’re on is slightly bigger. And I will use it to get rid of zits and other blemishes.

Also, RAW files come in visually flat, so I’ll bump the contrast, open up the shadows, give the image a little more pop.

Basically, I will make the photos look their best, but not by changing it (much). Instead, when I take the picture, I will look for angles and create light to be as flattering as possible. And I will look for moments where you are being radiant. Because what is beautiful is your smile, your character, your personality, your passion, your pleasure, your confidence. It’s the physical you, yes, but it’s also the ineffable you. The all of you.

So on this international woman’s day, be you. Don’t be the you that you think society says you should be. Be YOU. Be silly. Be sexy. Be kinky. Be active. Or not. Be the best you that you can be. Be you: passionately, proudly and without reservation.