Meet the jury

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

I got into retouching almost accidentally. My first job was at a very new company where I did a bit of everything - designing banners, marketing materials and emails, assisting photographers on shoots, and contributing ideas for campaigns. Over time, I naturally gravitated towards retouching and began shaping the role around it. I focused on developing my skills, refining workflows and improving processes for the business, and what started as one part of the job gradually became my specialism and long-term career.

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

I've been working in the industry for around 17 years, primarily as an in-house retoucher across different companies, building a strong foundation in brand standards, workflow and large-scale production. I moved into freelance nearly two years ago, so that still feels relatively new and exciting. I'm very much in a phase of continued growth, expanding my network and adapting to new ways of working. Freelancing has opened the door to a wider variety of projects, teams and creative challenges, which is something I really enjoy and learn from constantly.

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

High-pressure commercial campaigns have probably shaped my standards the most - projects where there are multiple stakeholders involved, tight deadlines, and very little room for error.

Working with different stakeholders has made me much more aware of how my work impacts other teams. Retouching doesn't exist in isolation - it affects design, artwork, production and final delivery. I'm always thinking about how to make the next person's job easier, whether that's through clean file organisation, accurate labelling or anticipating potential issues before they arise.

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

Retouching is often invisible and undervalued, so being part of a platform that recognises and celebrates the craft feels important. It's also an opportunity to connect and learn from others in the industry.

When working on major campaigns compared to smaller projects, what truly changes?

The brief always comes first. Before I look at the image in detail, I want to fully understand what's required of me - the purpose of the image, the end use, the brand guidelines and the creative direction.

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

I look at the type of file I'm getting, and that lets me know where I can stretch things. Whether I'm getting a RAW file and need to carry a look across the project, or if I'm receiving processed files that go right into retouching, identifying where to start bigger color corrections - either at the front or back - is where I begin.

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

It's not glamorous, but spreadsheets and checklists. Clear naming conventions, structured folders and version control.

Retouching is just one skill. Beyond technical ability, what really determines whether someone builds a sustainable career?

Reliability, communication and time management. Being able to receive feedback without taking it personally is important too.

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

I think we need to celebrate the role retouchers play. Our work is often overlooked, yet it's a vital part of the final image. Greater recognition of the craft from the creative industry would benefit the retouching community.

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

Retouching is always a collaboration. You sometimes have to set aside personal taste and focus on the client's needs and the creative direction. At the same time, it's important to know your value and understand the expertise you bring to the table.

A final note from us

Stuart's career is a reminder that great retouchers are not just skilled with pixels - they are thoughtful about process, generous with their expertise, and always aware of how their work connects to everyone else's. His transition from in-house to freelance still feels new to him, but the depth of experience he brings is anything but. We are glad to have that perspective on this panel.

We are delighted to welcome Stuart Quang as a member of the jury for Retoucher of the Year.

About Stuart Quang

Country: United Kingdom

Years in the Industry: 17

Primary Specialization: Beauty, Product, and Campaign Retouching

Main Expertise: Beauty, Product, Campaign

Website: stuartquang.co.uk

Instagram: @sq_retoucher

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stuart-q