I saw an advertisement recently for a photographer that promised a 30-minute cake smash session for a baby's first birthday. For $175, the photographer promised "all edited images (usually 45+)." Let's talk about that . . .
Edited vs. Retouched Photos: What You’re Really Paying For
When you hire a photographer, you’re not just paying for someone to take pictures—you’re investing in what happens after the shutter clicks. Post-processing turns a raw photo into something special, but there’s a big difference between “editing” and “retouching.” If you’re thinking about spending money on a photographer, understanding this can help you spot value and avoid disappointment.
Editing is the basic cleanup every photo needs. It’s like tidying up a room: quick adjustments to make things look better. A photographer might brighten a dim shot, fix colors that seem off, or sharpen the focus a bit. This doesn’t take too long so it’s standard for most pros. If someone offers you a deal like “20+ photos for a low price,” this is likely what you’re getting: edited images that look nice but aren’t deeply polished. It’s fast work, and while it improves the photo, it’s not a major transformation. Time is money, after all.
Retouching, though, is a whole different level. It’s like remodeling that room instead of just tidying it—detailed, careful, and time-consuming. Retouching means fixing tiny flaws or enhancing specific parts of the picture. For a portrait, that could be smoothing skin, brightening eyes, or removing drool or snot that babies . . . well, babies and toddlers sometime ooze. This isn’t a quick tweak. It can take hours per photo. Because of that, retouched images are rarer and cost more. A photographer promising dozens of shots for cheap probably isn’t retouching—they simply don’t have the time. Or they are selling basic editing as "retouching."
So, what does this mean for you? If a deal sounds too good to be true—like a low price for a big batch of photos—it usually is. Editing a pile of images is doable on a budget, but retouching? That’s a premium service. A photographer who retouches is putting in serious effort to make each photo flawless, not just “good enough.” You’ll likely get fewer images, but they’ll stand out—think frame-worthy prints or headshots that wow.
Quality beats quantity here. Twenty edited photos might capture a moment, but a handful of retouched ones can feel like art. Imagine hiring someone for your wedding: a stack of lightly edited shots gives you variety, but a few retouched keepers—like that perfect first kiss—carry deeper value. The same goes for business headshots or family portraits. Retouching takes skill and patience, and that’s reflected in the price and the smaller number of final images.
When choosing a photographer, ask what’s included. If they advertise a low rate and a ton of photos, expect editing, not retouching. If they highlight a smaller set of “fully finished” images, you’re likely paying for retouching—and the time it demands. Neither is wrong; it’s about what you want. For everyday memories, editing might do. For something special, retouching could be worth the price paid.
In the end, it’s your call. A flood of decent photos or a few stunning ones? Knowing the difference between editing and retouching helps you pick a photographer who delivers what matters most to you—without surprises.
0 Comments