Meet the Jury

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

I was always drawn to Photoshop throughout college and university as it combines technical problem solving with my love of photography, but I didn't realise it could be a career path until I started to work in a camera shop restoring old photos for customers in Bournemouth. I realised how much I loved it as it was something that requires constant learning and improving, and I took the risk of moving to London to pursue it as a career, which culminated in multiple years working in the fashion industry.

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

I've been in the fashion industry for ten years, and I've been working as a retoucher for seven years. I started with private lifestyle projects, and now I work with major beauty brands in France, Germany, and the USA. At this stage, I feel confident and fully independent as a retoucher, managing projects on my own and shaping my own style.

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

Working for major names in fashion in a fast-paced e-commerce environment has mainly taught me the art of balancing efficiency with strong technical ability, but also collaboration and being able to learn so much from the other retouchers in my team. Learning skills peer to peer has rapidly improved my retouching in the last few years and I am always grateful to learn from other retouchers.

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

I feel like retouching is such an under-appreciated and under-represented skill within the fashion and e-commerce space - we tend not to get any credits on major campaigns, when it's something that is so vital to the industry. I would like to make sure we all get the credit we deserve, especially with the rise of AI threatening the existence of the position. I also want to show the next generation that this is a viable career and it's another option for people looking to get into the photography industry.

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

Retouchers need to be excellent communicators as we are often the people interpreting what the client or photographer needs into technical skill in Photoshop. We also have to help clients understand what is possible and sometimes manage expectations.

We also have to understand photography too - many of the best retouchers I know are also excellent photographers. The industry really does go hand in hand with one another, so I think it is important to have a background in photography so you can collaborate effectively on projects.

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

Diverse people from every type of background! I felt very under-represented as someone from a working class background early on in my career and I think it is important to have people from all walks of life in the retouching space as we can bring a new perspective on images. We need our voices heard, especially within the fashion space.

What separates a good retoucher from a great one?

I believe what makes someone a great retoucher is attention to detail, excellent problem solving and technical skills, and seamless, invisible work. A truly great retoucher is able to work closely with the photographer and creative teams to elevate an image without someone even knowing you were there in the first place.

What truly creates repeat clients in this industry?

Communication, consistency, and strong collaboration with clients is key. Sometimes clients have a strong vision for their work and a clear brief, and sometimes they do not - but it is a retoucher's job to be able to understand what is technically possible and what would work best for the client, and to communicate this effectively within the teams. Consistency also proves that you are able to work for a variety of clients, and the clients are able to trust your work moving forward.

How important is non-destructive workflow in professional practice?

Incredibly important! Non-destructive workflow ensures that every member of the team is able to collaborate with you, and you will be able to change things that may need changing later on in the brief if something isn't working or someone changes their mind further down the line. It also ensures that all your time and effort isn't wasted - we've all made this mistake early on in our career, and it's a mistake you don't want to make twice!

What should participants focus on if they want to stand out in this competition?

Strong organisation of layers, clear technical skills and intention behind every layer or folder, and a clear understanding of the brief.

A final note from us

Natalie brings energy, honesty, and a perspective that is genuinely her own. Her drive to see retouching credited, her commitment to diversity in the industry, and her belief that this career should be open to anyone with the passion for it - these are values that sit at the heart of what Retoucher of the Year is trying to build. We are very glad she is here.

We are delighted to welcome Natalie Bacon as a member of the jury for Retoucher of the Year.

About Natalie Bacon

Country: United Kingdom

Years in the Industry: 7

Primary Specialization: Fashion E-Commerce and Campaign, Photo Restoration

Main Expertise: Models, Product and Clothing, Skin Retouching, Colour Matching

Website: nataliebacon.co.uk

Instagram: @gnatlou

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/natalielbacon