The Power of Professional Headshot Retouching: Before & After

When it comes to professional branding, first impressions matter. Whether it’s LinkedIn, your company website, or a press release, your headshot is often the very first image people see of you. A polished, professional portrait can set you apart — but that doesn’t mean it should look fake or overly edited.

That’s where thoughtful, subtle retouching comes in.

A Real-World Example: Before & After

We met at my Venice office for this headshot session, and the image above shows just how much of a difference professional editing can make. My goal wasn’t to change how she looked, but to bring out her natural features and polish the photo for professional use. Here’s what went into the retouch:

• Stray hairs cleaned up (including ones on clothing).
• Under-eye shadows softened for a refreshed look.
• Skin tones smoothed while keeping natural texture.
• Small blemishes removed for a clean finish.
• Photo straightened and cropped for better composition.
• Lighting and colors corrected for vibrancy.
• Eyes subtly brightened to make them stand out.

The result? A sharper, more vibrant, and professional-ready portrait that still looks like the real person.

Tools of the Trade: Lightroom & Photoshop

I edit every headshot using a combination of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Lightroom allows me to fine-tune lighting, color, and tone, while Photoshop gives me the precision to handle details like hair cleanup, blemish removal, and subtle retouching.

Together, these tools ensure the final photo looks natural, approachable, and professional — never plastic or overdone.

Why Professional Retouching Matters

Everyone has small distractions in photos — a flyaway hair, a blemish that showed up that morning, or uneven lighting. Retouching isn’t about changing your appearance; it’s about removing those distractions so your professional image represents you at your best.

That’s especially important for:

• LinkedIn profiles
• Company websites and team pages
• Marketing materials
• Press and media features

Where I Work: Headshots Across Los Angeles & Orange County

I maintain three office locations for headshot photography:

• Santa Monica – 3110 Main St Building C #171, Santa Monica, CA 90405
• Venice Beach – 606 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
• Culver City – 9415 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232

In addition to these locations, I regularly travel across Los Angeles and will travel to Orange County to photograph professionals and companies on-site. Whether your office is in Downtown LA, Pasadena, Irvine, or Newport Beach, I can bring my setup directly to you.

Ready for Your Before & After?

If it’s been a while since your last professional photo, now is the perfect time to update it. A refreshed headshot isn’t just a picture — it’s a key part of your professional brand.

Do you and your office team need new headshots. Call me at 323-493-2552 to book your session.

#HeadshotPhotography #BeforeAndAfter #ProfessionalBranding #CorporateHeadshots #LinkedInHeadshot #BusinessPortrait #BrandImage #PhotographyTips #LosAngelesPhotographer #SantaMonicaPhotographer #VeniceBeachPhotographer #CulverCityPhotographer

Why AI Headshots Can’t Replace a Professional Photographer

As a Los Angeles headshot photographer, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the rise of AI-generated headshots. The technology is fascinating, and in some cases, it can look convincing at first glance. But in my experience, AI almost always misses the mark compared to a real headshot taken by a professional photographer.

A business headshot is more than just a picture of your face—it’s your first impression online. Whether it’s for LinkedIn, your company website, or a press release, your headshot should capture your personality, confidence, and professionalism. That’s where AI tends to fall short.

Here’s why real photographers will always deliver something AI can’t:

1. AI Lacks Authenticity and Nuance

A great headshot isn’t just about lighting or posing—it’s about capturing who you are. As a photographer, I know how to create a space where clients feel relaxed and comfortable so their natural personality shines through. AI, however, can only mimic styles from a massive dataset. The result is often a cookie-cutter, “corporate-friendly” look that lacks individuality.

That’s why so many AI-generated headshots end up with an unnatural smile, a stiff pose, or a glassy-eyed stare. What’s missing is the authenticity only a real human connection can bring.

2. AI Struggles with Fine Details

Even when AI gets the general structure of a face right, it often fails at the details that matter most. Hair is a notorious problem area—it can look blurry, overly smoothed, or filled with strange, unnatural strands. Skin texture sometimes comes out plastic-looking. Even jewelry and clothing patterns can glitch, creating unrealistic or distorted details.

I use Photoshop’s generative AI tool sometimes for touch-ups, like removing stray hairs. But even in small edits, I’ve seen some bizarre outcomes. These flaws remind me that while AI can be a helpful tool, it can’t replace the skill and precision of a professional photographer.  Take a look at this image for example, I replaced part of Dot’s hair and her hair doesn’t even connect where is should connect.

3. Human Connection Makes the Difference

A professional headshot session isn’t just about the final image—it’s about the experience. I spend time getting to know my clients, helping them feel confident in front of the camera, and guiding them through poses that feel natural. That comfort and connection come through in the final images.

No algorithm can replace the moment of trust and ease between a photographer and their subject. That’s what makes a headshot look genuine, approachable, and memorable.

Headshots Across Los Angeles and Orange County

I photograph headshots at my offices in Santa Monica, Venice, and Culver City, but I also travel across Los Angeles and Orange County for companies that want professional team portraits at their office. Whether you need corporate headshots for your team, executive portraits, or an updated LinkedIn headshot, I’ll make sure you look professional, approachable, and most importantly—like yourself.

And if you’re ready for a headshot that feels authentic, let’s connect. Call me at 323-493-2552 to book your session.

#LosAngelesHeadshotPhotographer #OrangeCountyHeadshots #BusinessHeadshots #CorporateHeadshots #ProfessionalHeadshots #LinkedInHeadshots #AuthenticityMatters #SantaMonicaPhotographer #VeniceBeachPhotographer #CulverCityPhotographer

In today’s business world, first impressions often happen online. Your LinkedIn profile photo, company bio, or press release headshot is often the first introduction to potential clients, investors, or colleagues, sometimes before you’ve even met in person. Whether you’re based in Los Angeles or live across the country, having a professional headshot that looks like you and conveys your confidence is essential for career growth.

As a Los Angeles headshot photographer specializing in corporate and executive portraits, I recently had the privilege of photographing Leanna Haakons, Founder of Black Hawk Financial, as she stepped into her new role as National Director of Business Development at MACCO Group. MACCO Group, led by industry leader Drew McManigle, is a nationally recognized mergers and acquisitions advisory firm.

Creating a Headshot That Works Across Platforms

Leanna’s career spans leadership, authorship, and global finance expertise. She’s a bestselling author, a contributor to top business publications, and a sought-after speaker, so her headshot needed to project confidence while still feeling approachable.

MACCO Group requested a gray backdrop to ensure consistency with the other headshots on their website. Additionally, they asked for the photo to be taken a little further back than a traditional chest-up headshot. This gives them more flexibility when it comes to cropping the image for different uses, such as press releases, leadership bios, or marketing materials where they might want to place the subject in a different background, like an office setting. 

We took her headshots at my Venice Beach photography studio inside BLANKSPACES coworking. I arrived early to set up lighting and the backdrop, and run test shots so the session was efficient and comfortable for her.

Why Professional Headshots Matter for Executives and Entrepreneurs

Every professional photo session I do — whether in Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Culver City, or across Los Angeles— focuses on three key elements:

For executives like Leanna, a well-crafted headshot communicates leadership, trust, and expertise before a single word is spoken.

The Lasting Impact of a Great Headshot

• First impressions happen instantly — A professional image increases credibility and connection.
• Career milestones deserve fresh portraits — Promotions, board appointments, and new ventures are the perfect times for an update.
• Your headshot works 24/7 — It’s your silent representative across all professional platforms.

If you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional in Los Angeles I’d love to help you create a headshot that opens doors and moves your career forward.

I have offices in Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Culver City, but will travel throughout LA and Orange County for clients.

Are you ready to book a headshot session for you and your team?  Give me a call at 323-493-2552 and we will set up a time.

#HeadshotPhotography #CorporateHeadshots #BusinessPortrait #ProfessionalBranding #ExecutivePortrait #LosAngelesPhotographer #SantaMonicaPhotographer #VeniceBeachPhotographer #CulverCityPhotographer