To Tan or Not to Tan

When prepping for your big photoshoot, you might be tempted to add a little extra glow with a self-tanner or a spray tan. But hold that bronzing mist! At Gem City Pin Up Photography, we want you to shine for all the right reasons, not because your skin tone turned three shades of orange under the studio lights.

Self-tanners and spray tans can be tricky — they often develop unevenly, causing patchiness, streaks, or unexpected hues that the camera picks up more intensely than the mirror does. Even the most professional application can oxidize, leaving you with unpredictable results. And let’s not even talk about the way certain formulas can transfer onto outfits and props!

Here’s the deal: if you decide to self-tan or get a spray tan right before your session and it doesn’t turn out as expected, correcting that in post-production takes time — and time is money. Extensive color correction to balance out skin tones or remove tanning mishaps will incur an additional editing fee.

Our policy is all about ensuring you look and feel your best, without surprise costs or stress. If you’re set on tanning, we recommend doing so at least a week before your shoot to allow any uneven tones to fade and to give your skin time to settle. Or, embrace your natural skin tone — our expert lighting and editing will enhance your natural beauty without the need for extra color adjustments.

At Gem City Pin Up Photography, we’re here to capture your vintage vixen vibes in the most flawless way possible. So skip the last-minute tan and trust the process — your photos (and your wallet) will thank you!

PASTY IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!