StretchLifeVisuals
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08/17 Retouch & Chill: Beyoncé-Inspired Edit Start to finish, Business Cards, and BTS Sauce
🕑 Added 2025-08-18 16:30:11 +0000 UTC⏱️ Tech + Time Check:
Kicked off the session knowing my laptop had about 90 minutes before it started acting up. Game plan was simple — knock out one photo edit in 20–30 mins, then move into designing business cards. Those shouldn’t take more than 30–40 minutes… unless I get caught up digging through Pixieset for photos (which I did).
💳 Business Cards Setup:
Making three types:
Studio card
Grad card
Regular headshot card
Y’all helped me choose which photos to use — appreciate the input.
🧢 Merch Update:
Still got hats — around 30 left after 5 recent orders.
Browns are the only ones I’ll have on hand for a minute since overseas shipping takes a while.
Reminder: If you cop, tag me and send pics in the hats. Still no model shots yet.
🎁 Pre-order Gift Drop:
Brown/cream hat = exclusive pre-order gift
Even threw a few in random boxes as a thank you
🎬 Editor Update:
Finally found someone solid.
Sent a test clip to multiple people, and one guy stood out — already works with photographers and videographers, and he gets the vibe.
Turnaround was fast, pacing was clean, and if the price stays solid, I’m cranking out all the BTS edits soon.
Might bring on a second editor to help lighten the load.
📸 Retouch Breakdown:
Photo was inspired by Beyoncé’s “B’Day” album cover.
My client (my girl’s bestie) wanted that look for her birthday shoot.
She didn’t want her mouth open like Beyoncé’s, but we recreated the lighting and feel.
Background enhanced with Topaz AI.
Full retouch in Photoshop with Wacom tablet:
Frequency separation (advanced, not basic)
Dodge and burn for those cheek highlights
Used generative fill to clean up hair in the eyes
Took extra time on blending shadows, light balance, and getting those colors to pop
Whole edit = ~30 mins, and I recorded BTS for the exclusive members
💻 Tech Stack + Tips:
Photoshop > Evoto for detailed beauty edits
Using Wacom tablet (medium size from Best Buy)
Topaz AI for upscale and cleanup
Mixer brush and clone stamp > patch tool for me
Retouching raw over JPEG to preserve skin texture
💬 Real Talk (aka Storytime):
Told the wild Valentine's Day shoot story with the client who got... extra comfortable — 😅
Talked about keeping personal life off socials (no couples content, no relationship drama)
Shared thoughts on trade-for-photo (TFP) work: it’s cool if the vibe is right, but boundaries matter.
💰 Business Moves:
Talked pricing for recreation-style edits — usually an extra $100–200 unless it's for someone close
Lens talk with Mondo — if you’re not doing cinematic video, go sell that anamorphic and grab something you’ll actually use
All BTS edits gonna be funded from the YouTube budget stack — price was fair, just at the top end of the range
📢 Content Tips for Creators:
If you’re trying to level up and make more $$ — focus on client-based content
Educational + helpful = trust
“I should’ve booked with you” energy always comes from someone who picked the wrong shooter and learned the hard way
Posing videos and BTS still hit — keep it clean, quality, and consistent
