Meet the jury

How did you find your way into retouching, and what has kept you in it?

I always wanted to be good enough to work outside Brazil - with the best clients and the best photographers in the world. That ambition is what got me started. What has kept me going is a genuine hunger for challenges, for new techniques, and for creative approaches I haven't tried yet. That drive has never really left me.

How long have you been working in the industry, and what phase of your career are you in now?

Twelve years in retouching now. I feel like I'm in a more mature phase - one where simply being successful isn't enough anymore. I have a deep desire to do more for the community, to be more active, and to use whatever influence I've built to inspire and guide the artists coming up behind me.

What kinds of projects or environments have shaped your standards the most?

The projects that have shaped me most are the ones that forced me to build skills I didn't yet have - where I had no choice but to learn fast and deliver at a high level. I love being thrown into the fire with real stakes on the line, even though I know that's not for everyone. Those high-pressure moments happen less often in my career now, but they are the ones that raised my standards the most.

What made you want to be part of the Retoucher of the Year jury?

I wanted to give back to the community the same way others have given to me over the years. I love exchanging knowledge, and I think this is the perfect opportunity to help guide and inspire the next generation of hungry, ambitious retouchers.

When you open a new file, what do you look at first before touching anything?

I mark up the image first - noting anything that needs fixing or any ideas already forming in my mind - before I touch a single tool. It helps me go in with intention rather than just reacting to whatever I see first.

When working at scale, how do you make sure nothing is missed?

I run a personal checklist on every project, without exception. Double-checking notes, colour and contrast, masking - all of it gets reviewed before anything goes out.

Beyond technical ability, what really determines whether someone builds a sustainable career?

Your eye for detail, your creativity, and your taste. For me, that combination is what actually makes someone stand out - not just technically, but as an artist. And when it comes to sustaining a career over the long term, it takes hustle, confidence, and as much passion as you can hold onto.

What do you think this industry needs more of right now?

More people sharing real experiences and showing that this career is genuinely achievable. And more honest conversations about AI - because retouching won't become obsolete. It will evolve. The craft will always need a human eye behind it.

What is one insight you wish more retouchers understood early in their career?

Don't take the work personally. It's about the work, not you. Learning to hear critique without getting defensive is one of the hardest things to do early on - and one of the most important. That openness is what makes you better.

A final note from us

Hugo's story is one of ambition turned into action - someone who set an almost impossibly high bar for himself early on and then quietly went about clearing it. What impresses us most is that having reached a strong position in his career, his instinct is not to settle but to turn around and bring others with him. That generosity, combined with his creative range and technical depth, makes him a wonderful addition to this panel.

We are delighted to welcome Hugo Ceneviva as a member of the jury for Retoucher of the Year.

About Hugo Ceneviva

Country: United States (originally from Brazil)

Years in the Industry: 12

Primary Specialization: Creative Retouching

Main Expertise: Automotive, Sports, Product, Beauty, Lifestyle, Matte Painting, Composite

Website: hugoceneviva.art

Instagram: @hugo_ceneviva

YouTube: @hugocenevivaretouching3616

Facebook: facebook.com/hugo.ceneviva

Behance: behance.net/hugoceneviva

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hugoceneviva