Naomi

Photo / HMUA: @aveantson_makeupartist Model: @naomigallowayyo / @valkyriemodels Retouch: @lidia.stolyarova

BPRO Mag

Photographer: Kári Sverriss @karisverriss Photographer’s assistant: Thelma Arngríms @thelma.arngrims Models: Áslaug María Guðjónsdóttir @aslaugmariaa & Aníta Ósk @anita.osk by Eskimo Models Styling: Sigrun Jorgensen @sigrunstylist Hair & Make Up: Andrea Ruth @andrearuth26 Retouch: Lidia Stolyarova @lidia.stolyarova

Banarasi Saree editorial for Times Of India

Publication: @timesofindia Model: @diptipawar1111 (Anima Creative Management) Words, Styling, Creative Direction: @akshay_kaushal Hair & Makeup Artist: @makeupnhairbyamitajuneja Banarasi Saree: @chinayabanaras Accessories: @bakajewelry @dookdi_ Retoucher: @lidia.stolyarova Photographer: @cosmicantoshka_ @shake_abu_masai

Volant Magazine

Photography: Julia Chernih Makeup&Hair: Raquel Style: Yaa Bonsu Model: Vitorinni @Niche Modeling Agency Retouch: Lidia Stolyarova

Challenges of retouching projects

I was thinking today that sometimes we all have to work on the client's projects which do not fit into our vision of what we perceive as beautiful. I am absolutely sure that a good retouch should perfectly match the client's vision, even if we don't like it. Though I always cut off this "like-dislike" for myself, because it is a very limited approach. Maybe such type of project is challenging, but we can grow by working on them. They push us out of our comfort zone, expand our thinking and help us to see the task from a different perspective. Besides, I am always confident in my clients that they know what they are doing and why. Moreover, there are always more people on the client side, which means more opinions. Of course, they consider my opinion as a retoucher too, but it's a fact that I physically can't know all details which are available for the team on the set. Frankly speaking, once in a while I open the images and think something like "why so?" or "it could be done differently". But when I examine the brief carefully or edit the first draft and when I go deep into the process, then it changes to "oh wow, I got it". I think, I developed my taste thanks to such difficult projects, which I really didn't understand at first. I strongly believe that other professionals faced the same. I don't think we can avoid it in the future, because the world is super-fast and there is always something new no matter how great we are, but every challenge like this is our secret superpower. It expands our creative vision and we become capable of implementing more and more complex projects. We can't grow as professionals by doing only what we are interested in. As long as we do only what we like, we remain amateurs as it holds us back in our comfort zone. We can truly be considered a pro only when we gain the ability to solve the most diverse and most difficult assignments by creating the client's vision. Implementation of our own concept does not require the same efforts as the implementation of someone else's concept within the constraints. It's very different. On the one hand, it seems that the client restricts us very abruptly with their brief and we cannot deviate from it. But on the other hand, creating the maximum result within a given direction is exactly the essence of professionalism.

Usually from every project one shot becomes my fav, but here I can't chose)) All are my favs 🤩

Photographer: Julia Chernih (@julia_chernih) Stylist: Katerina Nikolaeva (@nikkatrin) MUAH: Anneken Meerits (@naturalbornpirate) Retouch: Lidia Stolyarova (@lidia.stolyarova) Model: Ada Wrzesinska (@ada.wrzesinska) Agency: MMG Models (@mmgmodels)

I am really surprised that, to many people, beauty images seem a result of good retouch. I was sure that the search for the "philosopher’s stone" of photoshop was left behind in 2009. Well, I cannot deny that some images have been heavily modified. But it is rather an exception to the rule. In most of the cases, the great images are great even without retouching. Sorry for such disappointment)))  It sounds weird to me that I am writing about such an obvious thing. But great skin starts from the right casting. Pre-production rules ;) I believe the best images were created even before photographers got a camera in their hands. Because an amazing image is always the whole IMAGE. A total package of concept, style, composition, light, etc., and how we perceive it all together. Some images have nothing in them, no matter how technically correct they are. So, what's the point of cool retouching, if the stylist's choice didn't fit into a concept or make-up failed? I think nobody needs the perfect retouch separately from the whole picture. Because the purpose is holistic, completed image, not retouching itself. Please, don't fall into illusion whenever you see a great beauty. It's always about a great teamwork.

Photographer: Keir Harris Make up:  Anneken Meerits Model: Lívia Dumont @Bareface Model Agency Dubai Hair: Helga Bosman Stylist: Anna Smolenko Retoucher: Lidia Stolyarova

Editorial for L'Officiel Baltic

Photographer: Julia Chernih Stylist: Katerina Nikolaeva MUAH: Anneken Meerits Retouch: Lidia Stolyarova Model: Ada Wrzesinska Agency: MMG Models

The stunning @sylviemeis for @juvederm_de worldwide beauty campaign shot by @karisverriss hair&makeup by @serenagoldenbaum styling by @jakobschaefer_style set design by @sylviemeierschellbach_styling retouch by @lidia.stolyarova art direction and production by @meis_media_gmbh digital assistant @lauraweberphotography assistant photographer @danielameisephotography

Campaign work for KATLA

Photographer: Kári Sverriss Model: Liv Benediktsdóttir @Eskimo Model Styling: Edda Gudmundsdottir Make up & Hair: Sunna Björk Erlingsdóttir Assistant photographer: Arnór Trausti Retouching: Lidia Stolyarova

Beauty skin work.

Photographer: Keir Harris Make up:  Anneken Meerits Model: Lívia Dumont @Bareface Model Agency Dubai Hair: Helga Bosman Stylist: Anna Smolenko Retoucher: Lidia Stolyarova

Cover story for Volant Magazine 🌴

Photography: Julia Chernih Makeup&Hair: Raquel Style: Yaa Bonsu Model: Vitorinni @Niche Modeling Agency Retouch: Lidia Stolyarova

ELLE CROATIA November issue

Photographer: Kári Sverriss Model: Rosa Boasdottir Styling: Sigrún Ásta Jörgensen Make up & Hair: Natalie Hamzehpour & Birkir Már Retouching: Lidia Stolyarova

Perhaps, “before & after” is one of the hottest topics on retoucher’s forums. When I started my retouching carrier, it seemed to me the key to getting a job. But 12 years later I realise that people overestimate the importance to this.

So why I don't showcase "before & after" retouching examples in my portfolio anymore?

IT DISTRACTS. In a way, such examples demonstrate the retoucher’s skills. On the other hand, when we see “before & after”, it diverts attention from the actual image and we focus on the difference only. But when we have the final image in front of our eyes, we perceive it as a complete work. Also it confuses retouchers themselves too if they work with this idea in mind. They just forget about integrity and harmony, and accordingly cannot get the right result.

PROFESSIONALS DON’T NEED IT. Industry people can easily define how much the image was retouched and was it appropriate for the particular image or not. A visually good final image speaks for itself. Nobody cares what was before. The significant difference between “before & after” is not a sign of professionalism. It’s rather a sign of a newbie who is fascinated by this wow-effect.

ETHICS MATTERS. I think it’s not very ethical, even if it’s a TFP project or purchased RAW. Personally, I always feel like it’s an attempt to promote myself via someone’s imperfections or mistakes, which is weird to me. I believe that this attitude separates the retoucher from the rest of the team, instead of being united with. It takes us away from the main goal.

Definitely, I have a few before-after examples to show, but upon request only. Though I can’t even remember the last time I was asked for it.

Photographer: Nicoleta Buru Make up & Hair: Anneken Meerits Retoucher: Lidia Stolyarova

ELLE CROATIA November issue

Photographer: Kári Sverriss Model: Rosa Boasdottir Styling: Sigrún Ásta Jörgensen Make up & Hair: Natalie Hamzehpour & Birkir Már Retouching: Lidia Stolyarova

Pre-production is more crucial than post-production. And it always feels if the image was rescued with photoshop or it was just a bit polished. It’s not necessary to say that great image is great even without retouching. 

These ones have been just a bit polished 😉

Photography: Julia Chernih Hair & Make up: Raquel, Adriana Model: Sandra @MMG Retouch: Lidia Stolyarova

Photographer: Kristiinvisuals
 Make up & Hair: Anneken Meerits
 Retoucher: Lidia Stolyarova