Creative Retoucher Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the digital age, the creative retoucher’s role is more essential than ever.

As visual culture evolves, the demand for skilled hands that can enhance, manipulate, and perfect our visual content escalifies.

But what exactly is expected from a creative retoucher?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to understand the core of this role,
• A hiring manager outlining the perfect candidate,
• Or simply captivated by the craft of creative retouching,

You’re in the right place.

Today, we present a customizable creative retoucher job description template, designed for effortless posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s dive right in.

Creative Retoucher Duties and Responsibilities

Creative Retouchers are primarily responsible for enhancing and modifying photos to meet the specific needs of a client.

They utilize a variety of digital tools and software to improve the quality and aesthetic appeal of images.

Their daily duties and responsibilities include:

• Using digital tools and software to manipulate photos
• Improving the color, contrast, and sharpness of images
• Removing unwanted elements or blemishes from photographs
• Compositing multiple images into a single, coherent piece
• Collaborating with photographers, designers, and other members of the creative team
• Interpreting and implementing the vision of the client or creative director
• Maintaining organized digital files and databases of work
• Staying updated on the latest image editing technologies and techniques
• Ensuring all images are completed within the stipulated timeline
• Adhering to the company’s brand identity and guidelines in all projects

 

Creative Retoucher Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking a talented Creative Retoucher to join our team.

The individual will be responsible for refining and enhancing images using various software tools to ensure the final product is of the highest quality.

The successful candidate will have a keen eye for detail, solid understanding of photo editing software, and a passion for creating stunning visual content.

If you possess strong technical skills, are able to work in a fast-paced environment, and have a creative flair, this is an excellent opportunity for you.

 

Responsibilities

• Utilize photo-editing software to retouch, color correct, manipulate and format images
• Ensure all images are optimized for print or digital platforms
• Collaborate with photographers, designers and creative team members to understand project requirements
• Manage and organize digital assets
• Perform image editing, retouching and manipulation tasks as required
• Ensure consistency and quality across all images
• Follow creative direction, while adding your own creative input
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and new techniques

 

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Creative Retoucher or similar role in the creative industry
• Proficiency in photo-editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
• Strong visual skills with attention to detail
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Knowledge of color theory, print and digital processes
• Ability to work under strict deadlines and handle multiple projects
• Creative flair with a strong visual sense
• Portfolio of work demonstrating photo retouching skills
• Degree in photography, visual arts, digital media or related field is a plus

 

Benefits

• 401(k) plan
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Flexible work schedule
• Professional development opportunities
• Collaborative and creative work environment
• Paid time off

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Creative Retoucher
• Work Environment: This role is based in our creative department, with potential opportunities for remote work. A small amount of travel may be required for photoshoots or meetings with clients.
• Reporting Structure: This position reports to the Creative Director or Art Director.
• Salary: Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $55,000 minimum to $75,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: Our company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume, portfolio, and a cover letter highlighting your skills and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Creative Retoucher Do?

A Creative Retoucher works primarily in the advertising, marketing, and photography industries.

They are responsible for using various digital tools and techniques to enhance the quality of photographs and images.

They specialize in photo manipulation, color correction, and image composition, which helps in creating final images that meet specific creative visions or marketing goals.

Creative Retouchers work closely with photographers, art directors, and designers to understand their requirements and transform initial visuals into finished art pieces.

They utilize software such as Adobe Photoshop to manipulate, enhance, and retouch images to suit the desired aesthetics.

They also play a crucial role in product and fashion photography, where they correct flaws, enhance details, and adjust colors to create an image that is both appealing and realistic.

While the core job is technical, Creative Retouchers also need a good eye for visual aesthetics and must be able to take creative decisions to enhance the final product.

They are expected to keep up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in digital image enhancement and manipulation.

Their role often involves working under tight deadlines, requiring them to be efficient and detail-oriented in order to produce high-quality work on time.

 

Creative Retoucher Qualifications and Skills

A proficient Creative Retoucher should possess the following skills and qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge in digital photography, image manipulation software (like Adobe Photoshop), and other relevant tools and technologies
• A keen eye for detail to ensure precision and accuracy in the images retouched
• Exceptional visual and aesthetic sense to enhance and improve the quality of images while maintaining their originality
• Strong technical skills for effectively operating various photo editing equipment and software
• Excellent communication skills for understanding the client’s requirements and conveying the progress or issues, if any, during the retouching process
• Problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues that may occur during the image retouching process
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to tight deadlines
• Knowledge of color theory, lighting, and composition to create realistic, high-quality images
• Strong creative skills to add artistic elements or effects as per client requests

 

Creative Retoucher Experience Requirements

Creative Retouchers typically need a minimum of 1 to 2 years of experience in the retouching or digital imaging field.

This experience is often gained through internships, part-time roles, or freelance work in photography studios, advertising agencies, or design firms.

Candidates with a background in fine art or photography may have already developed a strong understanding of color, composition, and lighting, which are crucial skills for this role.

Experience using image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop is usually required, and knowledge of other graphic design or digital art tools can be beneficial.

Those with more than 3 years of experience usually have a solid portfolio showcasing their retouching skills across a variety of projects.

They may have expertise in areas such as high-end fashion retouching, product retouching, or photo restoration.

Retouchers with more than 5 years of experience may have managed complex projects or led a team of junior retouchers.

They are often capable of working closely with art directors and photographers to achieve a specific vision, and may be ready for a senior or supervisory role within a creative team.

 

Creative Retoucher Education and Training Requirements

A Creative Retoucher generally has a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Photography, or a related field.

They must possess strong skills in photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Illustrator.

In addition to formal education, they require practical hands-on experience in photo editing, manipulation, and color correction.

This can be gained through internships, part-time jobs, or freelance work.

For advanced roles, a Master’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field, coupled with a robust portfolio demonstrating high proficiency in retouching, may be required.

Certification courses in specific photo editing software such as Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in Photoshop could also be beneficial.

Continual learning and staying updated with the latest trends and techniques in photo retouching is essential in this field.

 

Creative Retoucher Salary Expectations

A Creative Retoucher earns an average salary of $49,665 (USD) per year.

The actual earnings may fluctuate based on factors such as industry experience, the complexity of the projects, geographical location, and the size of the employing company.

 

Creative Retoucher Job Description FAQs

What skills does a Creative Retoucher need?

A Creative Retoucher needs to have strong technical skills in photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.

They should have a keen eye for detail to spot and correct imperfections, and a good understanding of color theory, image manipulation, and photo composition.

Creative thinking and problem-solving skills are also crucial in this role as they may often need to find innovative solutions to enhance an image’s quality or achieve specific effects.

 

Do Creative Retouchers need a degree?

While a degree in Graphic Design, Photography, or a related field can be helpful, it is not always necessary to become a Creative Retoucher.

Most importantly, employers look for a strong portfolio that showcases a candidate’s retouching skills and creativity.

However, having a degree or professional certification may give one an edge in the competitive job market.

 

What should you look for in a Creative Retoucher’s portfolio?

A Creative Retoucher’s portfolio should demonstrate a wide range of skills, from basic retouching tasks like blemish removal, color correction, and cropping, to more complex tasks like image manipulation and compositing.

Also, it’s important to look for consistency in the quality of the work and the ability to maintain the natural look of the images after retouching.

 

What qualities make a good Creative Retoucher?

A good Creative Retoucher has a keen eye for detail, patience, and a strong sense of aesthetics.

They should be adept at using editing software and have a good understanding of lighting, composition, and color.

Creativity and innovation are also key qualities, as the job often requires coming up with unique solutions to enhance or alter images.

 

Is it difficult to hire a Creative Retoucher?

Hiring a Creative Retoucher can be challenging due to the specific set of skills and aesthetic sensibility required for the role.

It’s crucial to thoroughly review candidates’ portfolios and potentially conduct a practical test to evaluate their technical skills and creativity.

Also, it’s essential to find someone who can align their retouching style with the visual identity of your brand or project.

 

Conclusion

And there we have it.

Today, we’ve brought into focus the true essence of what it means to be a creative retoucher.

And you know what?

It’s not just about adjusting brightness and contrast.

It’s about creating visual masterpieces, one pixel at a time.

With our go-to creative retoucher job description template and real-life examples, you’re fully equipped to take the next step.

But why limit yourself?

Expand your horizons with our job description generator. It’s your ultimate tool for designing impeccable job listings or polishing your resume to perfection.

Remember:

Every pixel counts in the grand scheme of the design.

Let’s create that masterpiece. Together.

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