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Professional Photo Retoucher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Scattermesh

Senior Photo Retoucher

Herndon, VA · On-site

... to retouch and/or integrate 3D renders into images to produce beautiful, photo-realistic end ... Qualifications and Skills * 10+ years' experience in a professional setting digitally compositing ...

Fashion Nova

Photo Publisher

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

Work closely with Studio and Retouching teams to ensure that all items shot daily get selected ... Formalized career paths for continued professional growth * Comprehensive health insurance across ...

Fashion Nova

Photo Publisher

Beverly Hills, CA

Work closely with Studio and Retouching teams to ensure that all items shot daily get selected ... Formalized career paths for continued professional growth * Comprehensive health insurance across ...

Aquent

Senior Image Retoucher

Corte Madera, CA · On-site

$50 - $75/hr

Collaborate closely with creative and production teams to meet deadlines and quality expectations What We're Looking For * 3-5+ years of professional retouching experience in e-commerce, retail, or a ...

The Scan Group

Be Seen First

Photoshop Retouching Artist

Waukesha, WI · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

Professional photo retouching and image enhancement * Color correction and image optimization * File preparation for print production and digital media * Maintain quality standards and meet ...

PacSun

Photography Retoucher

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$57K - $65K/yr

Percentage of Time: • Performs high volume image editing (basic retouching, resizing, masking ... This role operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office ...

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Professional Photo Retoucher information

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$10

$33

$60

How much do professional photo retoucher jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional photo retoucher in the United States is $33.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.40 and $38.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a professional retoucher?

To become a professional photo retoucher, develop strong skills in photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, and build a portfolio showcasing your work. Gaining experience through internships, freelance projects, or online courses can help improve your skills and credibility. Certifications are not mandatory but can enhance your resume and demonstrate proficiency in retouching techniques.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Professional Photo Retoucher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professional Photo Retoucher, you need advanced knowledge of photography, color theory, and digital image editing, often supported by a strong portfolio and relevant coursework or certifications. Expertise in industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, as well as familiarity with RAW file processing, is essential. Attention to detail, creativity, and strong communication skills help a retoucher understand client needs and deliver high-quality results. These skills ensure the production of visually compelling images that meet client specifications and maintain professional standards.

How much do photo retouchers charge?

Photo retouchers typically charge between $20 and $100 per hour, depending on experience, complexity of the work, and the project scope. Some may offer flat rates for specific tasks such as retouching portraits or product images. Rates can vary based on geographic location and the retoucher's skill level.

What are Professional Photo Retouchers?

Professional photo retouchers are specialists who enhance and manipulate images using software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. They work to improve the quality, appearance, and overall impact of photographs by adjusting color, exposure, removing imperfections, and sometimes combining elements from multiple images. Their clients often include photographers, advertising agencies, magazines, and e-commerce businesses. The goal of a professional photo retoucher is to deliver polished, high-quality images that meet the client's specifications and industry standards.

What is the difference between Professional Photo Retoucher vs Photo Editor?

AspectProfessional Photo RetoucherPhoto Editor
CredentialsOften holds certifications in Photoshop or digital imagingMay have similar certifications but often focuses on overall image selection and composition
Work EnvironmentPrimarily in studios, advertising agencies, or freelance settingsIn media, publishing, or digital content teams
Industry UsageSpecializes in detailed image correction and enhancementFocuses on selecting, cropping, and overall image layout

While both roles involve working with digital images, a Professional Photo Retoucher specializes in detailed editing and retouching to enhance images, whereas a Photo Editor manages the overall selection, composition, and presentation of images. The two roles often collaborate but serve distinct functions within the creative process.

What are some common challenges faced by Professional Photo Retouchers, and how can they be managed effectively?

Professional Photo Retouchers often encounter challenges such as meeting tight deadlines, handling high client expectations, and maintaining consistency across large batches of images. To manage these effectively, successful retouchers develop strong time management skills, maintain open communication with clients to clarify project requirements, and use efficient workflows and presets to ensure uniformity. Staying updated with the latest editing software and industry trends also helps address technical challenges and deliver high-quality results.

What is the highest paying job in photography?

In photography, high-paying roles include commercial photographers, fine art photographers, and photography directors, often requiring advanced skills, extensive experience, and strong portfolios. Specialized fields such as fashion, advertising, and corporate photography tend to offer higher salaries, especially for those working with major clients or in leadership positions.

Is retouching a good career?

A professional photo retoucher is a specialized role that involves editing images to enhance their appearance using software like Adobe Photoshop. It can be a rewarding career for those with strong attention to detail, artistic skills, and proficiency in digital editing tools, often offering freelance or studio work with flexible schedules. However, competition can be high, and building a strong portfolio is essential for success.
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Professional Photo Retoucher jobs near you

Senior Photo Retoucher

Scattermesh

Herndon, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Scattermesh is a fast-paced small company looking to disrupt, transform, and innovate on behalf of our clients. We are inventors, technologists, artisans, problem solvers, and collaborators seeking to redefine the content experience by changing how content is managed and delivered to clients. We have an amazing team and we want to add a few talented revolutionaries who want to make a difference solving hard problems. Create your story and start making an indelible impact today.
Job Summary
We're hiring a Senior Photoshop Retoucher on a full-time basis in Herndon, Virginia. Photoshop Artists use Photoshop to retouch and/or integrate 3D renders into images to produce beautiful, photo-realistic end products. The Photoshop Artists are ultimately responsible for the final shot composition including technical and aesthetic quality and integrity of product images to client. As a senior team member you're responsible for pushing the envelope and mentoring those of less experience to do the same. The ideal candidate has years of experience in integrating CG renders to maximize photorealism of images and/or doing beauty retouching. We're looking forward to seeing your resume and portfolio if this sounds like you.
Responsibilities and Duties
  • Bring Art to Life - Dissect what makes photos feel real, learn how cameras work and apply that knowledge to create compelling composites using high quality CG renders and plates captured by our global partners.
  • Move the Needle - Advance our retouching/compositing workflow with new and emerging techniques and technologies.
  • Mentor - Elevate the performance and skills of your team by providing helpful critique and spreading your knowledge.

Qualifications and Skills
  • 10+ years' experience in a professional setting digitally compositing and retouching images/videos to create photorealistic end products.
  • Expert level mastery of Photoshop
  • Strong knowledge of render AOVs and their uses in a compositing workflow
  • Highly developed eye for aesthetics and realism
  • Deep understanding of how cameras "perceive" the world
  • Able to work within established production pipelines and coordinate amongst other teams
  • Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and work under high pressure with short deadlines
  • Collaborative mindset
  • Comfortable giving and receiving critique
  • Is self-motivated and self-reliant
  • Must have a learning mind-set
  • Classical art training is a plus
  • Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge/Experience with After Effects/Nuke/Fusion or similar programs in a VFX setting is a plus
  • Photoshop scripting knowledge is a plus
  • Knowledge of human anatomy
  • Must be capable of completing job requirements without the assistance of AI tools
  • US citizenship required

Benefits and Perks
Scattermesh is as obsessed about our employees as our customers. We want to provide great benefits and perks so you can focus on making an impact. We recognize that industry is moving away from better benefits so we have decided to do our part to start reversing the trend. Join us in our quest to disrupt, transform and innovate.
Benefits
  • Competitive Market Leading Pay
  • 25-30 days - Paid Time Off (PTO) / Holiday
  • 100% Company paid medical/dental/vision/plans
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • 401(k) Matching with no cliff vest

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