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.

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