How NOT to Edit Your Headshots
(…and When to Call in a Pro)
Let’s be honest: editing your own headshot can feel a little like messing with the thermostat, you just keep nudging it until suddenly everyone’s uncomfortable. I’ve seen it all in my years as a portrait photographer: the Facetune swipe that removes every pore, the whitening tool that turns teeth into glow sticks, the wrinkle eraser that makes you look like you ordered the “Madame Tussauds package.”
So, let’s talk about the most common headshot editing mistakes, the ones that can make your professional photo look more sci-fi mannequin than approachable human.
The Poreless Porcelain Doll
Removing all skin texture might sound like the fast track to flawless, but the result is usually somewhere between mannequin and wax museum exhibit. Skin has texture. That’s what makes it look like skin. When you edit it out, you don’t look youthful, you look uncanny.
The Wrinkle Erase (a.k.a. Witness Protection)
Listen, I get it. Wrinkles feel personal. But erasing every single line? That’s not retouching, that’s rewriting history. The goal isn’t to pretend you’ve never laughed, worried, or spent more than five minutes in the sun. Subtle softening, sure. Total erasure? Now you just look like you’re wearing an Instagram filter from 2014.
The Glow-Stick Smile
We’ve all seen it: the teeth so blindingly white they could guide ships into harbor. Teeth should look clean and healthy, not radioactive. Keep them in the natural range of “I floss, but I don’t own a ring light for my mouth.”
The Blinding Brightness
Over-brightening your face (or the whole photo) can wash you out until you resemble a paper lantern. Light should flatter, not flatten. If you’re glowing like a neon sign, the edits have gone too far.
The Wax Museum Blur
Ah, the dreaded blur brush. A quick swipe and suddenly your cheekbones, jawline, and, well… most of your face have melted together. The more you blend, the less you look like you.
Knowing You’ve Jumped the Shark
Here’s how you know you’ve crossed into over-editing photos territory:
You can’t tell where your nose ends and your cheek begins.
Your best friend says, “You look…great?” with that hesitant question mark.
You wouldn’t recognize yourself if you passed your LinkedIn photo on the street.
If your headshot looks like a distant cousin of you (the one you’ve never actually met), you’ve jumped the shark.
OMG More Tips!
If you’re stuck on posing before you even get to the editing stage, check out my guide on favorite headshot poses that actually look natural.
And if you’re feeling brave enough to try snapping your own, don’t miss my blog on DIY headshots without the awkward.
When to Call a Pro
Professional photo retouching is like a good therapist, it doesn’t erase who you are, it helps you see your best self more clearly. A pro knows how to remove the temporary stuff (blemishes, flyaway hairs, weird color casts) while keeping the real you intact (skin texture, natural expressions, the laugh lines that tell your story).
This is where I can help. Subtle, tasteful edits make your headshot feel polished without tipping into uncanny valley. If you’re not sure, send me the photo. I’ll make sure you look like you, on your best day.
Your headshot should be a reflection, not a disguise. Editing is like seasoning: a little enhances the flavor, too much ruins the dish.
Still have questions? Reach out! I can help.