Retouching is one of the most misunderstood parts of professional headshot photography. People either don't know what's included in their session, worry that they'll end up looking unrecognizable, or assume it's purely cosmetic. Here's a plain-language explanation of what retouching actually is, what good retouching looks like, and what to ask before you book.
What headshot retouching actually is
Retouching is post-production editing applied to your selected images after the shoot. It's the work done in Lightroom and Photoshop between the raw file and the final image you receive. What falls under "retouching" varies significantly between photographers — which is why it's worth asking specifically what's included.
At the most basic level, all professional headshot delivery should include:
- Colour grading and white balance correction
- Exposure and contrast adjustments
- Skin tone evening (not smoothing)
- Removal of temporary blemishes — a spot, a stray hair, a piece of lint on your jacket
- Eye sharpening and brightening (subtle)
- Background cleanup if needed
Beyond the basics, some photographers offer more extensive retouching — and this is where the spectrum from "natural" to "heavy" starts to matter.
The spectrum: natural to heavy
Natural retouching
The goal is to look like you — on your best day, in good light. Temporary imperfections are removed. Skin texture is preserved. You should be immediately recognizable from your photo when someone meets you in person. This is the standard for professional headshots used in corporate, legal, healthcare, and most commercial contexts.
Medium retouching
Common in entertainment, modelling, and high-profile public-facing contexts. Goes further than removing temporaries — may include softening under-eye shadows, reducing permanent skin irregularities, teeth whitening, and subtle reshaping. Still recognizable, but idealized.
Heavy retouching
More common in fashion and commercial advertising. Significant alteration of skin texture, body shape, and features. Rarely appropriate for professional headshots — creates a gap between the photo and the person that undermines trust in business contexts.
Our approach: Natural retouching on every image. We remove temporaries, even skin tone, and enhance without altering. You will look like yourself — just on a good day with excellent light.
What's included at SpeedyHeadshots
| Retouching element | Included |
|---|---|
| Colour grading & white balance | ✓ Always |
| Exposure & contrast correction | ✓ Always |
| Temporary blemish removal | ✓ Always |
| Skin tone evening (texture preserved) | ✓ Always |
| Stray hair removal | ✓ Always |
| Eye sharpening & brightening | ✓ Always |
| Background cleanup | ✓ Always |
| Teeth whitening (subtle) | ✓ On request |
| Under-eye shadow reduction | ✓ On request |
| Skin smoothing / texture removal | ✗ Not our style |
| Body reshaping | ✗ Not offered |
The retouched images you receive are high-resolution files suitable for any use — web, print, press, directory. No watermarks, no restrictions.
Turnaround time
Retouched images are delivered within 24 hours of your session via a download link. For morning sessions, delivery is often the same afternoon. This is our standard — not a rush option, and not an extra charge.
The 24-hour window is what "Speedy" actually refers to. The retouching itself takes time to do properly; we don't rush it. But we don't sit on finished work either.
How many retouched images do you get?
This depends on your session:
- Mini ($250): 1 retouched image of your choice
- Professional ($385): 2 retouched images
- Executive ($550): 5 retouched images
You select from a proof gallery (unretouched, full-resolution previews) after the session. Additional retouched images can be added after delivery at $45 each.
Watch out for: Studios that don't include any retouching in the session fee, or charge $25–50 per retouched image as standard. At any reputable price point, at least one retouched image should be included. Per-image pricing models are built around upselling, not delivering value.
Questions to ask before you book
- How many retouched images are included?
- What is your retouching style — natural, medium, or heavy?
- What is the turnaround time for final delivery?
- What file formats and resolutions are delivered?
- Can I request additional retouched images after delivery, and what's the cost?
Any reputable photographer should be able to answer all of these clearly and without hesitation.
Book a session
Individual sessions from $250 with 24-hour delivery. See all options →