Confession: I Love the Retouching Process
Okay, I’ll just say it: I’m obsessed with retouching.
Sure, the moment when the camera clicks is exciting—the lighting is perfect, the pose feels spot-on, and you’ve nailed the look. But once the session is over and I get to sit down at my computer, that’s when a different kind of magic happens. Retouching is where the image goes from great to wow.
And lately, I’ve been doing something unexpected: digging through my old files and re-editing photos from years ago. Why? Because apparently, my past self was on a mission to teach my present self a thing or two.
This photo may be a few years old, but thanks to a late-night re-edit (and probably too much sweet tea), I’ve given it a little extra sparkle to match the magic we captured back then.
What Re-Editing Taught Me
Let me paint you a picture. A few years ago, I took a portrait of Hannah. At the time, I was pretty proud of it. The lighting was solid, her pose was confident, and the final image looked good. Fast-forward to today: I opened that same photo and thought, Oh Hannah, I owe you an apology.
It wasn’t a bad photo—it was just... safe. I hadn’t yet learned how to finesse the details. I hadn’t discovered the joy of subtlety or the art of dialing back the heavy-handed edits. So, I gave Janet’s photo a second life.
With a few tweaks, I softened the shadows, removed the glare on her glasses, and refined the little details. Suddenly, the image felt alive. It felt like Hannah. And let me tell you, re-editing old work is like finding a sweater in the back of your closet that you forgot you loved—it feels new again.
Retouching Isn’t Cheating—It’s an Upgrade
I know what some of you might be thinking: “Isn’t retouching just Photoshop magic? Like giving someone a digital facelift?” Not in my world. Retouching is less about changing who you are and more about showing the best version of you—the one who didn’t get sabotaged by bad lighting or a rogue flyaway hair.
Here’s what I don’t do:
Erase your laugh lines (because hello, those are earned).
Transform you into someone your mom wouldn’t recognize.
Turn your skin into that shiny, plastic doll look.
Here’s what I do do:
Fix that one stray hair that decided to rebel.
Tame the shadows under your eyes (because we all know sleep is a myth).
Enhance your natural glow so that you look like you just stepped out of a rom-com montage.
Think of it like this: retouching is the makeup artist for your photos. It’s not about creating perfection; it’s about highlighting what’s already there.
Why Re-Editing Feels Like a Time Machine
Re-editing old photos has been surprisingly therapeutic. It’s like opening a time capsule filled with all the choices I made back then. Some are solid. Others? Let’s just say, I owe a few people a drink.
What I love most is seeing how much I’ve evolved. Once upon a time, I thought cranking up the skin-smoothing slider was peak creativity (spoiler: it wasn’t even close). Now, I’m aiming for authenticity—edits that fade into the background, clearing distractions so your brilliance takes center stage.
It’s also a reminder that I can’t change the lighting or posing choices I made in the past. What’s done is done. But I can take everything I’ve learned since then and apply it to those images. It’s like giving them a second chance to shine—and who doesn’t love a good redemption arc?
The Zen of Retouching
When I’m retouching, I’m in my happy place. It’s just me, my computer, and a playlist of absolute bangers. The world fades away as I zoom into the tiniest details, tweaking them with all the care of someone decorating a cupcake (and believe me, I take cupcakes very seriously).
This is where the magic happens:
I adjust the lighting so your skin looks soft and radiant.
I enhance the sharpness in your eyes because let’s be honest—they’re the stars of the show.
I remove the pimple that rudely invited itself to our shoot (you’re welcome).
It’s a slow, thoughtful process that’s equal parts art and science. And yes, I love every second of it.
Why It Matters
Here’s the thing: I don’t just retouch for the sake of retouching. I do it because I want you to look at your photo and feel like a rockstar. Whether it’s a headshot for LinkedIn or a portrait for your living room wall, the final image should make you think, Wow, that’s me.
And when someone compliments your photo, I want you to feel proud—not because it’s heavily edited, but because it genuinely feels like you. (Because you are pretty amazing!)
A Word About Misconceptions
I get it—retouching has a bad rap. People hear “Photoshop” and immediately picture magazine covers where celebrities look like they’ve been carved out of wax. That’s not my vibe. Retouching is less about changing who you are and more about showing the best version of you—the one who didn’t get sabotaged by bad lighting or a rogue flyaway hair.
Here’s what I don’t do:
Erase your laugh lines (because hello, those are earned).
Transform you into someone your mom wouldn’t recognize.
Turn your skin into that shiny, plastic doll look.
Here’s what I do do:
Fix that one stray hair that decided to rebel.
Tame the shadows under your eyes (because we all know sleep is a myth).
Enhance your natural glow so that you look like you just stepped out of a rom-com montage.
The goal is never to make you look fake. It’s to make you look like the best version of yourself—the one who’s confident, radiant, and ready to take on the world.
Let’s Talk About Collaboration
Here’s a fun fact: retouching is a team sport. Sometimes, I’ll send a client a draft of their photo and ask, “How do you feel about this tone?” or “Would you like the background softened?” These little touchpoints ensure that the final image aligns with your vision, not just mine.
And if you’re worried about being too picky, don’t be. I love when clients get involved—it means you care about the photo as much as I do.
The Bottom Line
Your headshot is more than just a photo—it’s your first impression, your handshake before you even step into the room. Whether you’re building your brand, seeking new opportunities, or simply wanting to feel confident about the image you present to the world, a great headshot opens doors. Let’s create one that not only captures your best self but also tells your story. Don’t settle for ordinary—book your session today and show the world how extraordinary you are!
And hey, if nothing else, you’ll give me an excuse to dive back into my favorite part of the process. Now, excuse me while I go re-edit that one photo I took in 2015. Spoiler: it’s about to look amazing.