Editing is part of every professional shoot. Your final images should arrive color-corrected, refined and ready to publish, with three rounds of revisions included. The depth of retouching depends on the production: a high-end beauty campaign can require hours per image, while a natural lifestyle shoot on the beach needs considerably less. That difference is defined and priced into the quote from the outset, so there are no surprises later.
Editing vs. retouching: what's the difference?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe different levels of work.
Editing is what every image receives: color correction so products render true to life, exposure and contrast, cropping, and cleanup of dust, lint, stray threads or minor marks. For e-commerce, color accuracy matters most, because the product has to match what arrives at the customer's door.
Retouching goes further: skin refinement, blemish removal, shape refinement, masking to adjust specific areas independently, detailed color grading, and at times compositing several frames into a single image. This is where the hours are spent.
Why a beauty campaign takes far longer than a beach shoot
A high-end luxury beauty campaign and a fitness shoot on the beach are fundamentally different undertakings.
On a beauty campaign, every image is scrutinized at close range. Skin is retouched, products are perfected, and each frame is masked and graded to achieve the refined finish that caliber of brand expects. A single image can require many hours, and everyone involved understands and plans for that.
On a fitness or lifestyle shoot, the aesthetic is natural and kinetic. You're not retouching skin on an athlete mid-sprint. The images are still color-corrected and refined, but the retouching is restrained, because heavy retouching would undermine their authenticity.
The intended aesthetic matters as well. Some brands want polished, cinematic imagery; others prefer something more natural, almost as if it were captured on a phone, with minimal editing. Both are valid. Tell your photographer which direction you're pursuing, because it directly affects how long each image takes to finish.
What determines the level of editing
Style: natural and lightly edited, or polished and cinematic
Product: reflective surfaces, jewelry and glass require more meticulous cleanup
Talent: close-ups of models, particularly in beauty, demand far more retouching than wide lifestyle compositions
Volume: more selects means more post-production time; see how many photos you'll receive from a shoot
Special requests: background replacement, composites, or maintaining a consistent look across a large catalog
How many rounds of revisions are included
I include three rounds of revisions, a sound benchmark across the industry:
First round: you review the edits and send your notes.
Second round: we address anything missed or requiring adjustment.
Third round: final refinements to lock everything in.
Beyond the third round, additional revisions are billed. Three rounds is ample when images are reviewed thoroughly. When revisions extend past that, it's usually because notes arrive piecemeal rather than in a single considered pass, which slows everyone down. The most effective approach is to review every image carefully and consolidate all your notes into each round.
Who handles the editing
On my productions, I either edit the images myself or assign them to my team of editors. I work with different specialists for different disciplines, because product photography, lifestyle imagery and agency campaign work each call for a distinct skill set. Every set goes to the editor best suited to that style.
How long editing takes
Final edits are typically delivered within five to seven days of selects being chosen, depending on volume and the depth of retouching required. Rush editing is available at an additional cost when you need images immediately after the shoot. For the full process from shoot to delivery, see what's included in commercial photography services.
FAQ
Is editing included in the price of a photoshoot?
Yes. Color correction and cleanup are part of every professional shoot. Extensive retouching is planned and priced into the quote for productions that require it.
How many revisions are included?
Three rounds. Additional revisions beyond that are billed.
Will my photos be heavily retouched?
Only if the style calls for it. Beauty campaigns receive detailed retouching; natural lifestyle and fitness shoots receive a lighter touch to preserve their authenticity.
Can I get unedited photos as well?
Typically only the finished edits are delivered. See how many photos you'll receive from a shoot for the reasoning.
Planning a shoot?
Tell me the aesthetic you're after, natural or polished, and I'll build the appropriate level of editing and retouching into the quote. Get in touch here.