On Retouching

Let's talk about retouching. Retouching is a "touchy" subject, right? Pardon the pun! When done properly, retouching makes you look like your ideal self. When it's overdone, you look plastic and casting directors can spot it from a mile away.

Do you really need retouching? Well, let's just say in this competitive town, you need all the help you can get.

My philosophy is this: Your headshot can be great, but with proper post-processing, that same shot can take someone's breath away and make him or her pick up the phone and call you.

When I retouch, I focus on basic but prominent problems that can distract someone from seeing you. For example, blemishes. I take them out. If you only slept for two hours last night and you have bags under your eyes, I can make you look like you had a full night's rest. I also lightly whiten your eyes and teeth and even out your skin tone. Finally, I adjust the colors in your shot so you stand out - naturally - among the pile of a hundred sitting on an agent's or casting director's desk.