Headshot Retouching: What It Is and How It Works
A Clear Look at the Retouching Process, what it does, and
how it works.
Retouching is a critical part of professional headshot photography, but I find it to be the least understood amongst not just clients going into the first shoot, but longtime veterans having been doing this for years. Many clients and buyers aren’t sure exactly what it involves or how it affects the final image, and this page is designed to clear up those questions, explaining what retouching is, how the process works, and what you can expect, so you feel informed and confident about your headshots.
It addresses minor imperfections, lighting adjustments, and color balance, ensuring your images look polished and professional while remaining true to your natural appearance.
Images get loaded and developed
The first step in retouching is bringing your selected headshot into RAW software, or rather, software built for the exclusive purpose of developing RAW files. Most photographers use either Adobe Lightroom or Capture One, both of which allow precise, non-destructive adjustments to color, exposure, and overall image quality.
For higher-end or more serious work, Capture One is widely regarded as the industry standard. Its advanced tools for color control, skin tone accuracy, and workflow efficiency make it the preferred choice for professional headshot photographers. The irony is that it’s superior to Lightroom for RAW portraits because it’s more like Photoshop for raw files (and everyone knows photoshop is an Adobe product).
Why it matters: Starting in a professional environment ensures that every adjustment — from minor corrections to more detailed retouching — is precise, controlled, and reversible.
Visual cue: Include a screenshot of a headshot loaded into Capture One to make the process tangible. This helps clients understand that retouching is a careful, technical process, not a “magical” transformation.
Tip for readers: Even if you’ve never used professional software, seeing the workflow and interface gives confidence that your final images are handled with expertise.
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