The Power of Retouching

...And Why You Should Discuss it with Your Photographer.

A large part of what goes in to making gorgeous images is skin retouching.  I often ask myself a very simple question: Will it be there in two weeks?  If the answer is no, then I remove it.  For example, bruises and blemishes are a no-brainer!  When it comes to things like moles, birthmarks, and scars, I generally ask my clients about their editing preferences. This is my own set of parameters.  But every photographer is different and it’s important to make sure you and your photographer are on the same page.

Not all photographers edit their own images.  Many choose to outsource the editing.  When they do this, then anything beyond basic edits becomes an upcharge.  That is how professional retouchers charge for their services.  Blemish removal is usually part of the base fee, but “Can you make that arm slimmer?” might run you 50% more per image. 

And then there are plenty of photographers who take great pride in editing their own images, myself included.  I’ve been working with Adobe Photoshop for well over a decade and there is almost nothing that is impossible for me at this point.  My goal is to make sure my clients get EXACTLY the image they desire – no upcharges. Retouching is included and so are special requests.

That said, every photographer edits differently, has a different skill set, and charges differently. Not all photographers know how to make the changes to an image that you’re hoping to see.

​Here are some questions you may want to ask before you book:

1. Do you do your own editing and retouching?
2. Do you include blemish removal?
3. Is there a fee for special requests, such as slimming, contouring, etc?
4. Can I see some examples of your editing work? (this is CRITICAL – not everyone is skilled at editing and you need to see what you’re getting)

You need to be up front with your photographer about the features you love about yourself, as well as the others in the images.  You also need to be up front about what you’d rather not showcase (those things that make you self-conscious) – your photographer’s job is to make sure you get images that thrill you! It’s their goal, and input from you gets them there MUCH more effectively.

​Want to watch me do an extreme skin retouching session?  Enjoy!

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​Questions?  Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]