Professional Photo Editing & Retouching for People-Based Imagery
What I Do
I provide professional photo editing and retouching focused on people-based imagery, including event photography, studio work, portraits, lifestyle, and editorial projects. My work ranges from subtle, natural enhancement to more involved re-imagining, depending on the needs of the image and the intent of the project.
As both a photographer and a retoucher, I approach each image with context and restraint, emphasizing realism, clean skin tones, and visual consistency. Whether refining a full event gallery, reworking a studio image, or handling custom one-off edits, the goal is always polished, believable results that serve the subject and the final use of the images.
Before and After Examples
Event Retouching
For event photography, my focus is on subtle yet effective editing that enhances the moment without drawing attention to the retouching itself. I remove visual distractions, clean up backgrounds, and balance tone and color so the subject remains the clear focal point. The result is a polished, consistent set of images that feels natural, authentic, and true to the event.
Studio Re-Imagining
For studio re-imagining, I can apply the same natural, restrained retouching used in event work, or push the image further when the brief allows. This includes advanced compositing, background replacement, and AI-assisted techniques to create entirely new environments while keeping the subject realistic and well integrated. The approach is always guided by the client’s intent, whether the goal is subtle refinement or a complete visual transformation.
Custom Retouching
Custom retouching is tailored to the specific needs of each image rather than a fixed style or preset. I adapt my approach based on the subject, lighting, and intended use, whether that means subtle cleanup, tonal refinement, or more detailed adjustments. The goal is always to deliver images that feel intentional, cohesive, and aligned with the client’s vision.
How I Work
I treat retouching like a production workflow, not a guessing game. The goal is to make it easy for you to hand off images, get consistent results back, and not have to babysit the process. Whether you’re sending a small set or a larger batch, I work with clear steps, clear communication, and repeatable results.
Step 1: Brief and references
If you already have a preferred look, I want to see it. References can be as simple as a few finished images you like, a Lightroom preset, a previous gallery you’ve delivered, or a quick note describing what matters most. I also ask practical questions up front if needed, like where the images will be used, how natural you want the skin to remain, and whether the priority is speed, polish, or consistency across a set. Getting alignment early prevents unnecessary revisions later.
Step 2: Base edit and consistency
I start by establishing a consistent base across the set, focusing on exposure, white balance, tonal balance, and overall color cohesion. This is where the “professional look” is built. If you’re working in a series, I aim for continuity so images sit together naturally rather than looking like they were edited one-by-one with different decisions each time. This matters a lot for event coverage and portrait batches where lighting changes across locations.
Step 3: Precision retouching and cleanup
Once the base is solid, I move into detailed retouching. For portraits and lifestyle work, this usually means subtle skin cleanup that preserves texture, removing temporary distractions, addressing flyaways, refining clothing issues, and improving separation so the subject reads clearly without looking processed. For event work, I focus heavily on cleaning up distracting background elements and inconsistencies while keeping the moment intact. The guiding rule is always realism. If someone can tell exactly what was edited, it’s usually too much.
Step 4: Advanced edits when requested
If the brief calls for more than polish, I can handle more complex work such as compositing, background replacement, merging elements from multiple frames, changing the color of clothing, rebuilding problem areas, or using AI-assisted tools in a controlled way. The point here is not to “AI everything” but to use every available technique responsibly so the final result still looks believable and intentional.
Step 5: Review, revisions, and locking a look
I prefer a short feedback loop early in a working relationship so preferences are clear from the start. A quick round of notes on the first few images helps lock in the look, allowing the rest of the set to stay consistent with minimal back-and-forth. The goal at this stage is to make sure you feel confident moving forward, knowing the remaining images will reliably match that standard.
Tools
My primary tools are Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, and Luminar Neo, each used intentionally at different stages of the process. Lightroom is used to establish a consistent base across images, handling exposure, color balance, and tonal cohesion. Photoshop is where detailed retouching, cleanup, compositing, and precision adjustments are handled with full control. Luminar Neo is used selectively for targeted enhancements when it adds value, always with an emphasis on maintaining realism and image integrity.
Delivery and File Handling
Files can be sent via Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, or your preferred platform. I follow existing naming conventions and export requirements and deliver in the formats you need, including high-resolution JPEGs, TIFFs, or layered PSDs. Turnaround time is confirmed up front so expectations are clear from the start.
Rates & Engagement
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My rate is $70 per hour. This reflects the level of care, attention to detail, and consistency I bring to every project, whether the work involves subtle refinement or more involved retouching.
I stand behind the quality of my work and want clients to feel confident in the results. You will always have the opportunity to review the images and request reasonable adjustments, and I do not consider a project complete until you are satisfied. My goal is to make the process straightforward, professional, and reliable from start to finish.
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I provide clean, natural editing focused on people-based imagery. Typical work includes exposure and color correction, tonal balance, natural skin cleanup that preserves texture, flyaway and distraction removal, background cleanup, and consistency across a set. Advanced requests like compositing, background replacement, or more creative re-imagining are also available when that’s the brief.
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Yes. My default is natural and invisible, meaning no plastic skin, no over-smoothing, and no unnecessary reshaping. If a project calls for a more stylized result, I can do that too, but only when the intent is clear.
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Yes. If you share a few reference images, a previous gallery, or a preferred look, I can match it closely. A short alignment on the first few images usually locks the look for the rest of the set.
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Yes. I’ve worked extensively with Indian subjects in both paid and personal work for years, and I’m careful about preserving accurate tone, depth, and texture rather than flattening skin with generic presets.
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RAW files are ideal when available, but I can also work with high-resolution JPEG or TIFF depending on the project. If you have specific export or color space requirements, I can follow them.
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Turnaround is confirmed upfront before work begins. For context, many professional retouching workflows reference roughly a few days for small batches and about a week for larger or higher-end projects, but I’ll always confirm your timeline based on your needs and my current bandwidth.
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You review the results and can request reasonable adjustments. I prefer early feedback on the first few images to lock the look, then the rest of the set stays consistent with minimal back and forth.
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Yes. I do not consider a project complete until you are satisfied with the final images, and you will have the opportunity to review and request adjustments before payment is finalized.
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I deliver via Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, or your preferred platform. I can follow naming conventions and deliver in the formats you need, including high-resolution JPEG, TIFF, or layered PSD for complex work.
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Yes. Your images are treated as confidential. If needed, I’m open to signing an NDA, and I only share work publicly with explicit permission.
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My primary tools are Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, and Luminar Neo. I use each intentionally depending on the task, with an emphasis on realism and consistency.
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I generally do not offer unpaid test edits. The before and after examples on this page represent the standard you can expect.
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Yes. I’m primarily interested in ongoing relationships where we can lock a look, streamline workflow, and deliver consistent results week to week.
Who I Am
I’ve spent over ten years working professionally with photography and photo editing, much of that time balancing client work alongside a long-term personal practice. Living and working in Mumbai for over a decade has meant constant exposure to varied environments, lighting conditions, and people from different backgrounds, which has shaped how carefully I approach tone, skin, and detail.
I’m methodical, patient, and precise in how I work, and I don’t rush decisions that affect how a person is represented in an image. Clients tend to work with me long term because I’m consistent, communicative, and realistic about scope, timing, and expectations. I take briefs seriously, ask questions when something isn’t clear, and prefer getting things right over moving fast for the sake of speed.
Most importantly, I understand that retouching is a service role. My job is not to impose a look, but to support the image, the subject, and the intended use, whether that means staying invisible or pushing further when the project allows.