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Photo Retouch Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Varsity Tutors

Photoshop Tutor

Alexandria, VA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching image editing techniques, photo retouching, and digital compositing in Photoshop. Guides students through layer-based editing, creating and refining selections, applying ...

Varsity Tutors

Photoshop Tutor

Rockville, MD · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching image editing techniques, photo retouching, and digital compositing in Photoshop. Guides students through layer-based editing, creating and refining selections, applying ...

Varsity Tutors

Photoshop Tutor

College Park, MD · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching image editing techniques, photo retouching, and digital compositing in Photoshop. Guides students through layer-based editing, creating and refining selections, applying ...

Varsity Tutors

Photoshop Tutor

Washington, DC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching image editing techniques, photo retouching, and digital compositing in Photoshop. Guides students through layer-based editing, creating and refining selections, applying ...

Varsity Tutors

Photoshop Tutor

Leesburg, VA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching image editing techniques, photo retouching, and digital compositing in Photoshop. Guides students through layer-based editing, creating and refining selections, applying ...

Varsity Tutors

Photoshop Tutor

Fairfax, VA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching image editing techniques, photo retouching, and digital compositing in Photoshop. Guides students through layer-based editing, creating and refining selections, applying ...

Varsity Tutors

Photoshop Tutor

Bowie, MD · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching image editing techniques, photo retouching, and digital compositing in Photoshop. Guides students through layer-based editing, creating and refining selections, applying ...

Varsity Tutors

Photoshop Tutor

Laurel, MD · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching image editing techniques, photo retouching, and digital compositing in Photoshop. Guides students through layer-based editing, creating and refining selections, applying ...

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All JobsPhoto Retouch JobsPhoto Retouch Jobs in Washington

Photo Retouch information

What is a photo retouch?

A Photo Retouch artist is a professional who enhances and modifies images to improve their overall quality and appearance. This can involve correcting colors, removing blemishes, adjusting lighting, and refining details to achieve a polished final image. Photo retouching is commonly used in industries such as fashion, advertising, and portrait photography to create visually appealing images that meet specific standards or client requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a photo retoucher?

To thrive as a Photo Retoucher, you need a strong eye for detail, advanced image editing skills, and a solid understanding of color theory, often supported by a degree in photography or graphic design. Mastery of technical tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and familiarity with digital asset management systems is typically required. Creativity, time management, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this field. These abilities are essential for delivering high-quality, visually consistent images that meet client expectations and project deadlines.

What are some common challenges faced by photo retouchers when working on commercial projects?

Photo retouchers often encounter tight deadlines and high expectations for image quality, especially in commercial settings such as advertising or fashion. Balancing the client's vision with maintaining a natural, realistic look in images can be challenging. Collaboration is key, as retouchers frequently work with photographers, art directors, and clients to ensure the final product meets brand standards. Staying updated on the latest software and techniques is also essential to handle complex edits efficiently.

What is the difference between Photo Retouch vs Photo Editor?

AspectPhoto RetouchPhoto Editor
Primary FocusRefining and enhancing images by removing imperfections, adjusting colors, and improving detailsSelecting, cropping, and arranging images; applying creative edits and overall composition
Skills & ToolsPhotoshop, Lightroom; skills in detailed editing and retouching techniquesPhoto management software, editing tools; focus on layout and storytelling
Work EnvironmentPhoto studios, advertising agencies, freelanceMedia companies, publishing, freelance

While both roles involve working with images, Photo Retouch focuses on detailed enhancement and imperfection removal, whereas Photo Editor handles broader image selection, composition, and creative adjustments. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right professional for their project needs.

How to become a photo retoucher?

To become a photo retoucher, develop strong skills in photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, often through online courses or tutorials. Building a portfolio of retouched images and gaining experience through internships or freelance work can help establish your expertise and attract clients or employers.

Is photo retouching a good career?

Photo retouching is a viable career for those skilled in image editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. It offers opportunities in advertising, fashion, and editorial work, often requiring a strong portfolio and attention to detail. The profession can be freelance or employed full-time, with potential for growth as digital media continues to expand.

What are popular job titles related to Photo Retouch jobs in Washington?

For Photo Retouch jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Photo Retouch jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Photo Retouch jobs in Washington are:

Photo Retouch jobs near you
Infographic showing various Photo Retouch job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 5% Temporary, 7% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution.

Lab Crew - Photo Editor

Central Photo Company

Washington, DC • On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Part-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Are you a Lightroom and Photoshop wizard?
Do you care about details and refuse to cut corners?
Can you follow a defined process step-by-step, repeatedly, without drifting?
Are you able to stay focused, move fast, and produce clean, consistent edits at scale?
Does the panoramic format interest you?

The Role
Since 1919, Central Photo Company has been photographing panoramic group portraits at iconic American landmarks.
The Lab Crew is responsible for editing and delivering those images after they’re captured in the field. This is an in-office role based in Washington, DC.
You’ll work with high volumes of panoramic group portraits, editing in Lightroom and Photoshop, managing files, and preparing final images for print and delivery.
This is a production role. The work is structured, repetitive, and requires speed, accuracy, and consistency.
Why This Role Exists

  • Every group that steps in front of a Central Photo Company lens expects a final image that looks clean, balanced, and worth keeping.
  • The Field Crew captures the image. The Lab Crew ensures it’s edited, processed, and delivered correctly every time.
  • You take each photo from captured → edited → delivered.
  • Speed matters a lot. Consistency matters more.
  • You are expected to follow the process closely while maintaining efficiency over continuous editing sessions.
What You’ll Do

  • Edit panoramic group portraits using Lightroom and Photoshop
  • Apply consistent color correction, exposure balancing, cropping, and alignment across large group images
  • Retouch images to ensure clarity, visibility, and overall polish
  • Move photos through the production queue efficiently and accurately
  • Track group information and editing progress within our CRM system
  • Send finalized files to print and ensure proper delivery setup
  • Archive images and maintain organized file systems
  • Work cross-functionally to move each group from photo taken to photo delivered
How the Role Functions
This is a team-based production environment with a defined workflow.A typical cycle:
  • Receive image sets from the field
  • Edit in Lightroom
  • Refine and retouch in Photoshop
  • Prepare and export for print
  • Log, track, and archive files
You are expected to maintain speed, follow the system, and produce consistent results across every batch.
Who Thrives Here
This role is well-suited for people who:
  • Are detail-oriented and process-driven
  • Can stay focused for long periods of time
  • Work quickly without sacrificing quality
  • Are comfortable with repetition and production workflows
  • Take pride in making people look good in photos
  • Care about historic landmarks, group experiences, and preserving moments
  • Communicate clearly and work well within a team
This is a customer-facing business. Even in the lab, care, accountability, and follow-through matter.
Required Skills

  • Strong proficiency in both Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop
  • Solid understanding of editing fundamentals (lighting, color correction, masking, etc.)
  • Comfort using hotkeys and working efficiently within Adobe workflows
  • Experience editing people, large groups, and outdoor environments
  • Strong retouching ability with an eye for balance and consistency
  • Ability to follow a structured editing process
  • Strong organizational and file management skills
  • Clear communication and ability to work within a team
Preferred Experience
Experience with high-volume editing workflows
Able to self-correct and maintain consistency across batches
Experience working with presets or batch workflows
Basic troubleshooting mindset when issues arise
2+ years of experience using both Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop (or equivalent proficiency)
Compensation & Schedule
$20–$25 per hour, based on experience
Part-time, in-office role based in Washington, DC
Schedule aligns with active bookings
Central operates Monday through Saturday, 9AM–5PM, rain or shine.
As groups are photographed, edits are required
Apply Today
If this sounds like your kind of work, we’d love to hear from you.
Submit your resume and a short note telling us why you’re interested in the role.
A portfolio of edited work (including before/after examples) is strongly encouraged.