Photo retouching for headshots

What is retouching? And do I need it?

So, you’ve booked a headshot session with me, and you’re probably wondering about the magic of photo retouching. Well, let me break it down for you in plain English.

What is Photo Retouching? Think of photo retouching as the superhero of image improvement. It’s like giving your photos a little makeover, making them look fresh and fabulous. We use it to remove tiny flaws, like pesky blemishes, dark circles, and those annoying dust specks.

But here’s the deal: it’s all about small, localized adjustments. We’re not doing an extreme Photoshop transformation. I want you to look your best, but I also want you to look like yourself.

What Makes it Different from Photo Editing? Now, let’s talk about the difference between photo retouching and photo editing.

• Photo Editing: This is like the foundation. We adjust basic stuff like colors, cropping, and sometimes combining different elements. It’s about the overall picture.
• Photo Retouching: This is like the finishing touch. It’s more like fine-tuning. We’re focusing on specific areas. For instance, smoothing your skin, removing blemishes, and fixing any distracting background elements.

Your Personal Brand Look We all want to look awesome, right? But how far we go with smoothing and retouching depends on your style and what you’re comfortable with. My goal? A naturally polished look. No one wants to look like they’ve been heavily photoshopped, right?

First and foremost, we try to get everything right in the camera because it always looks better. That means it’s a good idea to get your hair, nails, grooming, tan, and everything else done beforehand. Ensure your suit and clothing fits well, and check for lines created by undergarments. That way, we can capture your authentic, best self in the first place.

Cosmetic Edits: Now, here’s the scoop on cosmetic edits. Anything that’s a part of you (like body shape, hair length, nose shape, weight, etc.) falls into the category of cosmetic editing. These edits are more labor-intensive and require an additional fee per image.

When Does Retouching Come into Play? Okay, let’s talk about when we roll out the retouching red carpet.

• Distracting Stuff: If there’s something funky in the background (like a rogue tree branch or cables), and we can’t physically remove it, retouching saves the day.
• Skin Struggles: For those stubborn blemishes that makeup couldn’t quite hide, retouching gives your skin that extra bit of love.
• Hair and Wardrobe Issues: Stray hairs or the odd crease that steals the spotlight from your fantastic face? We’ve got that covered too.

In a nutshell, photo retouching is the secret sauce to make you shine. You’re already awesome, and this just helps to highlight your amazingness.

Let’s make magic together during your headshot session! 📷✨