Sophie Kietzmann is a New York based photographer who’s work aims to create and capture trust, vulnerability, and solidarity with their subjects. Through photography, Sophie reaches for a connection to their subjects that transcends themself and holds space for others.

You push for more authenticity in your work. Do you think that is something the industry could benefit from overall?
I think the industry can benefit a lot from bringing more authenticity into the work because it gives people material for self-recognition and to see images that they can identify with. When I was growing up, I never had that and I think it is something that there is a void to be filled.

The industry encourages a certain level of “mystique” around the shoot process- mostly focusing on the final product or glamorized “behind-the-scenes” snapshots. Do you think the industry could benefit from greater transparency?
I think only time will tell, but I do think that increasing transparency can certainly help counteract some toxic beauty standards originally set by our industry. If educating people on media literacy by, for example, giving them insight into post-production processes can lift that mystique a little then maybe we can benefit society not the other way around.

The use of retouching is the industry’s biggest kept secret and any information about its part in the published image is extremely minimized. Why do you think that is?
I think it’s because we have built an industry on the illusion and promise of perfection. It’s the very easy concept of creating desire by showing people someone that is “better” or “more perfect” than them and then linking it to commerce. The commercial aspect of beauty in our society is afraid that showing the process it took to get to the final image will ruin the illusion of this unobtainable standard of perfection that is a billion dollar industry. 

What part does retouching play in your work?
Retouching allows me to control where my viewer's eye goes. In real life, when looking at a person we don’t just look at the imperfections. At first glance, we see the collective impression of who we perceive a person to be. In photography, we only get that moment of a first glance. Because of that, it is important for me to be able to control every aspect of that image down to the tiniest detail in order to leave the strongest impression. I don’t want my viewers' eyes to be drawn to a wrinkle in the clothing rather than stare at my beautiful subject. Retouching really ensures that the image I release is a precise reflection of my perception of the moment when I decided to take the image. 

What frustrations do you have with current retouching standards?
I think when retouching is overdone you lose personality and you lose those little imperfections that make a photo enticing, in many ways, because it’s what catches the eye and draws us in. Personally, I also think that aggressive, excessive, or poorly done retouching erases the emotion captured immensely. It’s that harsh brushing over the little details of individuality that feel like a denial of the talent’s truth.

How much responsibility do image creators have to push back against potentially-damaging retouching requests?
I think we have a full responsibility. 100%.

Do you feel that women are being properly represented in commercial photography? Do you believe that retouching done today is affecting girls’ body image?
When it comes to representation of women in photography, there is a misunderstanding or neglect of the many facets women have in our society and I think that has to do with society's general view of what a woman should be and what a woman can be. I think the retouching standard is hurting everyone’s body image. From what young girls feel they are expected to look like to the acceptable framework society holds in place that they expect us to grow into. It’s not just body image but every form of expression of one’s self.

Moving forward, what could the industry do to reduce harm? 
Transparency is a good place to start. Things will not change from one day to another but giving viewers access to the understanding that there is an ethical way to do post-production and what it looks like opens up the opportunity to demand we do better.