Photo Retouching | AnaLesnaya

The Magic Behind the Retouching

In the delicate transformation, one can feel the magic of the work done — the subtle changes reveal the care, the thought, and the heart poured into every frame. But more than that, it unveils the true value of a fairy-tale photoshoot.

These images allow you to step into another world, to hold a story in your hands and in your heart. They become proof of a journey to a place where wonder lives, where magic dances in the shadows, and where every detail whispers secrets of enchantment. You can share these stories with children, inspire them, and remind yourself that life need not be ordinary — it can be a continuous experience of beauty, magic, and wonder.

Standalone Retouching Services (Summary)

Retouching is offered independently of photoshoots. Prices range from €10–€50 per image, depending on complexity.
A written agreement is exchanged via email before work begins. Retouching starts only after payment is received.
Standard turnaround: up to 5 images → 7 days; larger orders are agreed individually.
Files must be sent in original resolution (JPEG or RAW).
After payment, the client receives the retouched images with simple private-use rights.
Publication or sharing occurs only with the client’s explicit consent.
The photographer is not liable for technical issues, quality loss, or third-party processing.
All agreements and communication are conducted officially via email.
Important: By ordering, you request that the service begins immediately and acknowledge that the right of withdrawal expires upon full performance of the service.
Work begins only after full payment is received. For standalone retouching services, 100% upfront payment is required.
Pricing: All prices are final. No VAT is charged in accordance with § 19 UStG (Small Business Regulation)

Book Retouching

Start of source files

Using my photographs as an example, I would like to show you the retouching stages available for order and the prices for each stage.
My photos were taken with a Sony camera, and my original file is a RAW file with a resolution of 6336 × 9504.

Stage 1 & 2

At the first stage of retouching, I perform color, light, and shadow correction of the photo:

adjust the exposure to a natural level
work on bright areas (such as the sky or highlights)
enhance the contrast of clothing and hair
remove strongly noticeable color inconsistencies (e.g., red or purple frostbitten skin areas, clothing colors that don’t match the concept of the photo, etc.)
apply light correction of the light-and-shadow pattern on the face (brightening the iris, reducing under-eye shadows)

At 2 stage, I work on the skin:

skin tone correction
removal of imperfections (acne, moles if the client requests it, burns, etc.)
refinement of under-eye shadows and nasolabial folds (depending on the concept of the photo — whether it should look rugged or gentle, realistic or fairytale-like, and to what extent these features should remain)
correction of color imperfections in the eyes (visible capillaries)
work on skin texture (smoothing wrinkles, removing blackheads and sebaceous gland shine)
retouching the lips
retouching the décolleté area
retouching the hands (nails, cuticles)
additional spot retouching of deep color inconsistencies (dead pixels)
he price for Stage 1 & 2 is €10.
(All prices are final. No VAT is charged in accordance with § 19 UStG.)

before

after Stage
1 & 2

Stage 3

At this stage, I work with the “liquify” tool and AI generation. All the work is carried out based on the concept of the image: as an artist, I determine where expansion, narrowing, spacing between objects, or new elements are needed.

Thus, at this stage I work with:

the volumes and shapes of the human body
hair and clothing
decorations and background
light artistic light-and-shadow retouching

I almost always avoid altering a person’s unique facial features, leaving them as they are. But if the concept requires creating a specific character (an elf, an unreal/fantasy person), then I also work on the face.
At this stage, much of the retouching focuses on the shapes of the human body — excess weight, sagging chest, and similar issues are corrected according to the client’s wishes.

Note on Children’s Portraits:

To preserve the natural beauty and integrity of childhood, the "Liquify" tool (body shaping) is not applied to the child's body or facial features. At Stage 3, for children, these techniques are used exclusively on the environment, background, clothing, props, and hair to enhance the fairy-tale atmosphere. The child's physical appearance remains natural and unchanged.

he price for Stage 1 & 2 & 3 is €25.

(All prices are final. No VAT is charged in accordance with § 19 UStG.)

after Stage
1 & 2

after Stage
1 & 2 & 3

Stage 4

During the 4th stage of processing, I:

define the overall style (I am inspired by fantasy films) in which the final image will be created to immerse the viewer in a fairytale atmosphere
use various textures and backgrounds
work intensively with light and shadow across the entire photograph
meticulously refine eyelashes and other small details
adjust the color grading of the image
repeatedly apply different filters to achieve the desired texture of hair and clothing
enhance bokeh and control sharpness
I use AI generation to bring the image to a perfectly fairytale-like finish.