Top 10 Tips for Editing Professional Headshots

Hook: Why professional headshot editing is critical (it’s the client’s first impression, quality reflects brand/career).

Thesis: Focus on the “natural look”—how to deliver a polished, high-end result without over-retouching.

Keyword Integration: Briefly introduce the concept of a modern Photoshop headshot retouching workflow 2026

II. Setting the Foundation: The Lightroom vs. Photoshop Split

• Keyword: Lightroom vs Photoshop for headshot editing

• A. Lightroom’s Role: Focus on global adjustments (exposure, white balance, cropping, lens corrections). Explain why detail work should wait.

• B. Photoshop’s Role: Dedicate to precise, localized edits (skin, light, blemishes).

  III. Mastering Skin Retouching Techniques

  • Keyword: How to naturally smooth skin on headshots

  • A. Blemish Removal: Use the Spot Healing Brush and Clone Stamp Tool for temporary marks (pimples, stray hairs, minor flakes). Important: Do not remove permanent features (moles, scars) unless the client specifically requests it

  • B. High-End Skin Smoothing: Detail the efficient, modern approach (like using Neural Filters, as mentioned in your transcript) that replaces time-consuming traditional Frequency Separation.

    IV. Sculpting Light and Dimension

    • Keyword: Dodging and burning portrait photography curves

    • A. The Power of Curves: Explain why using Curves Adjustment layers for Dodge & Burn offers more control than the dedicated tools.

    • B. Technique: Define where to Dodge (under eyes, highlights, forehead) and where to Burn (edges, under cheekbones, hot spots) to enhance the subject’s features and balance uneven studio lighting.

      V. Addressing Niche Technical Details

      • Keyword: Removing flyaways from corporate headshots

      • A. Hair and Clothing: Techniques for cleaning up hair flyaways (Stamp Tool near the head) and fixing distracting wrinkles in clothing or backdrops.

      • B. Focus on Eyes and Teeth: Quick, localized tips for brightening the whites of eyes and teeth (avoiding the “glow” or “blued” look).

      • C. Nuance in Client Type: Briefly touch on the differences in retouching needs with editing men’s headshots vs women’s headshots (e.g., typically less heavy skin smoothing for men).

        VI. Workflow Efficiency and Client Delivery

        • Keyword: Batch editing headshots for corporate clients

        • A. Consistency is Key: Explain how using actions or synced adjustments is crucial when handling multiple team members to ensure how to color match headshots for a team website.

        • B. Final Export: Address the critical step of file delivery. Use the keyword Best export settings for LinkedIn profile photos (focus on file size, resolution, and color space).

          VII. Pricing and Service Value

          • Keyword: Pricing headshot retouching services

          • A. Value Proposition: Briefly discuss how your high-quality, efficient workflow justifies premium pricing.

          • B. Deliverables: Reiterate the value of offering multiple versions (full-resolution, web-optimized, and transparent background PNGs).

            VIII. Conclusion and Call to Action

            • Summarize the five most important tips.

            • CTA: Invite readers to book your services or check out your pricing structure