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Being a photo retoucher can be an incredibly rewarding career. It’s a great way to combine your love of photography and art with the technical skills necessary for editing photos in order to create stunning visuals that are sure to impress. There are plenty of job opportunities for a photo retoucher nowadays. The Interest in this profession will only grow.

What Does a Photo Retoucher Do?

A Photo Retoucher is a highly skilled professional who specializes in the digital manipulation of images and photographs. They have an eye for detail and can transform an ordinary picture into a work of art. In the days before digital photography, retouching involved cutting and pasting bits of photographic paper to make necessary changes. Today, however, photo retouchers use software like Adobe Photoshop to make precision adjustments to an image.

To become a photo retoucher, one must be highly knowledgeable in the principles of digital photography, visual design, and color theory. A photo retoucher is also a master at using layers, masks, filters and other editing tools available in their program of choice. Their goal is to make subtle changes that enhance the overall look of a photograph without making it appear overly manipulated.

Photo retouchers work with photographers, graphic designers, advertising agencies and other professionals who need their expertise in giving photos the perfect finish. They may be asked to fix red eye, whiten teeth, remove blemishes, add special effects, or enhance the lighting of an image. We teamed up with experts from job aggregator Jooble to discuss How to become a photo retoucher.

Here is what you need to know in order to get started on this creative journey.

Step 1:

Learn the Basics of Photo Retouching – It’s important to understand the basics of photo retouching before diving in. Research different techniques, familiarize yourself with popular software and tools, and practice editing simple images.

Step 2:

Find an Internship or Job – Once you’re comfortable with the basics, it’s time to start looking for opportunities. Many companies offer internships or entry-level jobs in photo retouching. You can also look for freelance gigs on websites such as Upwork or Fiverr.

Step 3:

Keep Developing Your Skills – It’s important to keep up with the latest trends in photo retouching. Take courses, read articles, and practice different techniques.

Step 4:

Connect With Other Photo Retouchers – Networking is an important part of any career. Reach out to other professionals in the industry and learn from their experiences. You can also join online forums such as Reddit or Facebook groups to connect with other retouchers.

Step 5:

Take on Different Types of Projects – Variety is key in photo retouching. Get experience working on different types of projects such as fashion, product photography, and wedding shots. This will help you diversify your portfolio and gain more clients.

Step 6:

Ask for Feedback – As you work on more projects, ask your clients to provide feedback. This will help you identify areas of improvement and craft better photos each time.

Step 7:

Market Your Work – Once you feel confident in your photo retouching skills, start promoting yourself. Upload images to sites like Behance or Dribbble, reach out to potential clients, and run targeted advertising campaigns.

Closing Thoughts

Becoming a successful photo retoucher requires dedication and hard work. You need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, practice different techniques, and take on various types of projects. It’s also important to build relationships within the industry and market your skills so you can attract more clients. If you follow these steps, you should be able to become an expert in no time!

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Japanese photographer Roy Iwasaki captured dreamy-looking photos of trees from his hometown Hokkaido, Japan. “I love to photograph trees, especially ones in my hometown of Hokkaido (Japan). When I see a single tree standing in the middle of a vast snowfield in winter, it is like looking at a work of art created by nature. Especially these days, when I see a tree, I am always thinking about how to express the beauty of the tree. Trees are important to many different creatures.”

You can find more info about Roy Iwasaki:

#1 “Safe Haven For Ezo Red Fox”

Ten years ago, while driving through the picturesque countryside of my birthplace, Shibetsu City, I stumbled upon a scene so beautiful that I was compelled to capture it on film. It was a tree standing tall and proud in a vast snowfield, illuminated by the warm glow of the setting sun. This moment ignited a passion within me for photographing trees, particularly those in my hometown of Hokkaido, Japan.

#2 “A Couple Of Sakura”

#3 “Winter Is Gone”

Today, I make a daily pilgrimage to this beautiful region, capturing the essence of trees and their connection to the people and animals that inhabit the area. Trees have always been an object of fascination for me, not just because of their natural beauty but also because of how they exist in harmony with man-made objects. I choose to photograph during the morning or evening hours, when the light is most dramatic and the trees come alive with a certain mystique.

#4 “Stretching Fox”

#5 “Frozen Puddle”

In a world full of negativity, with issues such as war, infectious diseases, and energy problems looming large, it can often be difficult to find happiness in our immediate surroundings. Trees and animals are an essential source of healing, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to our lives. Through my photography, I hope to inspire others to look for and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, even in the most unexpected of places.

#6 “Moonlight And Blue Pond”

#7 “Indigo Blue”

One place that has always held a special place in my heart is the Tree of Friends, a beautiful location in Shibetsu City. I recall one particular evening, when I was standing shoulder to shoulder with a now-deceased senior photographer, capturing the stunning scenery. He called this place the Tree of Friends, and I was struck by how the trees seemed to stand united, facing the sun in unison. Sadly, the trees have since been cut down to make way for farmland, a painful reminder of the ephemeral nature of life.

#8 “Only For Two People”

#9 “Winter Of Silence”

Photography has allowed me to find solace in the natural world, and the trees have become an endless source of inspiration and joy. The morning and evening sun, in particular, hold a special allure, with their ever-changing colors and shadows. Although I don’t have any specific projects planned for the future, I will continue to seek out new ways of expressing myself through my art, taking one step at a time in pursuit of a deeper understanding of the beauty that surrounds us.

#10 “Winter Blue Pond”

#11 “The Tree Of Silence”

#12 “Sunlight”

#13 “Moon & Tree”

#14 “Conceptual”

#15 “Blue Pond Of Late Autumn”

#16 “River Tree”

#17 “One Tree”

#18 “Illuminated Blue Pond”

#19 “Blue Pond Light Up”

#20 “Tree Of Friends”

#21 “Loneliness”

#22 “Trees In The Sun”

#23 “Alone”

#24 “Lonely”

#25 “Sunshine”

#26 “Flow”

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Sometimes it takes serendipity for magic to happen. That’s true for capturing the perfect moment with a camera, and it was also true for Las Fotos Project. They’re a nonprofit organization that teaches and mentors youth from communities of color in the art, craft, and business of photography.

“All the boys in the workshop dropped out,” recounts Lucia Torres, executive director of Las Fotos Project, on the early days of their project. “That’s actually the reason why we ended up being an all-teen girl and gender-expansive youth organization.”

Photo by Las Fotos Project student Sawyer Sarinana.

The mission of Las Fotos has largely been shaped around that sudden departure of boys. The project allowed teen girls and gender-expansive youth a creative space to express themselves in a way in which they weren’t allowed elsewhere.

“The things that the young women were expressing [in] that workshop are things that they wouldn’t have expressed if there were other people who didn’t have their experiences in the room, a-k-a boys,” says Torres.

Las Fotos Project students, who receive individual mentorship from 35-40 volunteer photographers and artists, have found a much needed emotional outlet in photography. 

“They can be vulnerable … and not be judged for what they’re thinking or how they’re feeling,” says Torres. ”We don’t want them to continue bottling up what they’ve been bottling up for long periods of time now.”

Today, Las Fotos is not just a creative safe space, but an organization with more ambitious aims. They offer equipment, guidance, and moral support to students who are hoping to use their newly learned skills for a potential career in photography, or just to make a few bucks as a freelancer. 

“Our students after learning these technical skills [came] back saying, ‘My neighbor wants to hire me for a quinceañera. What do I charge them?’” recalls Torres.

Las Fotos Project students are also encouraged not just to turn the lens on themselves, but also on the people and issues in their communities that may be less visible in mainstream media. 

“Recently, we’ve had a lot of students highlighting small businesses who have either really struggled under COVID, or are being very resilient and very creative, with the work that they’re doing in the community,” explains Torres. 

The opportunity to document and express, to learn and refine, has also extended outside of the communities of color Las Fotos Project students live in. Angel City FC, LA’s professional women’s soccer team, allows students to be on the field to document live games.

“I would be frightened to death,” jokes Torres. “[But] they’re gaining these wonderful experiences and opportunities to really grow in the field, and become professional photographers.”

Photo by Las Fotos Project student Mia Figueroa.

• Between classes, Charis Cheung runs a photography side hustle focused on creative and editorial images.
• Cheung booked five figures in revenue last year, some of which came from passive income streams.
• She explains how she leveraged TikTok to find clients and earns passive income from her side hustle.

When Charis Cheung isn’t pursuing her undergraduate degree at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, she’s running her photography side hustle. 

What began as a hobby she adopted when was 7 has developed into a photography business called Charis Cheung Photography, which specializes in editorial and creative imagery. In between classes, the 19-year-old can be found shooting album covers for emerging musicians or snapping photos of influencers for their social-media feeds.

Cheung is one of many Gen Zers who’ve adopted freelancing recently, according to Upwork’s “Freelance Forward 2022” report, which studied 3,000 professionals. Last year, 46% of millennial professionals and 43% of Gen Z professionals surveyed performed freelance work.

Cheung’s work ranges between three and 12 clients a month, each of which requires about five or six hours shooting and editing. She also earns passive income by selling her “presets,” or a series of photo edits that others can purchase and lay over their own photos to achieve a similar look to Cheung’s style. She booked five figures in revenue in 2022, $2,000 of which came passively through the presets.

She shared how she built and scaled a photography side hustle. This is an as-told-to story based on an interview that has been slightly edited for length and clarity. 

Defining my style helped me find customers

I’d describe my style as glowy and ethereal, but it took me years to get to this point. I started taking photos when I was in middle school using my iPad or my mom’s camera. Then I bought a Canon EOS 80D and started asking friends if they wanted to do shoots. 

I found inspiration from photographers on Instagram and YouTube, and I’d practice their techniques and styles with my friends. Over time, I created my own style.

Creating that style helped me find clients I was excited about. Instead of traditional headshots or graduation shoots, I’ve been able to work with creatives like me in music, art, and fashion.

TikTok changed my business trajectory

The majority of my clients found me on TikTok. The less I post on TikTok, the fewer clients I have, and vice versa. It’s also been great for generating customers in other creative fields because many of them use TikTok for work, too.

To help prospective clients understand how I work, I share both my behind-the-scenes footage of photo shoots and my final work. I also make sure to include the hashtags #photographer and #LAphotographer because clients often use TikTok as a search engine to find professionals in their area.

I expanded my services to include passive income streams 

Earlier in the pandemic, I also developed my own “presets.” That was a cool milestone in my career because people liked my work and my editing style enough to purchase it for themselves.

It’s also a good way to make money. I created the presets while editing, which I would have done anyway to edit my own work, and sold them. Now I get random bunches of money automatically deposited into my account, from $10 to $50. 

I also sell my services as a creative director, where I work on styling, props, and the vision for the shoot. It’s a way to make additional money because clients pay extra for the concept curation, especially singer-songwriters who need a unique idea for their album art.

What I love most about all these jobs is planning the entire idea based on my creativity.