My freelance retouching journey is 7 chapters long

[@sabinemetz]

It was so interesting hearing your whole journey, thank you for sharing! I myself came from photography and meandered into professional retouching. I landed my first job for a big global brand in 2016 and have been building my network ever since. In the first year or two I didn't even have a portfolio up, because work would just keep rolling in, I feel like people are always on looking for good retouchers, and still do. But yes, you definitely have to get your foot in the door somewhere first and get some miles in. As soon as I started retouching professionally is when I realised I was not yet a retoucher, I was a retouching photographer. I learned a lot in those first few years!

[@LaurenPlitUK]

Well thank you for listening! Oh wow that’s wonderful - so much work that you really didn’t need a portfolio. The true dream, I’d say. It really does take that one big job to get your name out there. 2016 was a good time, I actually do wonder how the whole landscape has changed now, or has it? Going to add you on the Gram, I think I do have you on LinkedIn :)

[@laurenfletcher8537]

Aw, thank you for the shout-out as your bestie 🥰 so interesting hearing your career path and remembering the parts of the journey that we took together! ❤

[@LaurenPlitUK]

Of course you schmeckle! We can discuss the parts I left out later haha!

[@christinekriel3773]

Such an & interesting & informative video Lol…keep going I think your viewership is going to explode very soon…well done my gorgeous Cuzzie💗

[@LaurenPlitUK]

One can only hope 🥲 been a long road to be able to work from home like I do.

[@melevonne]

This video randomly came across my homepage. As a graphic designer I sometimes wonder what other freelance jobs I may be able to try in the future. It's nice to see your evolution as an artists and your overall perspective.

[@LaurenPlitUK]

Oh you would be one hundred percent able to do retouching as a GD. I find it’s far more lucrative and consistent compared to my other freelancing friends doing photography and graphic design but that could just be because of the current state of things in London. Thanks so much for watching!

[@chrisjwright_]

Your story about working long hours and it affecting your life hit home for me. When I was starting out freelancing, I used to work for a fast fashion ecom company, and I used to work till like 1am some days! They would also just drop work on me without any upfront conversion, but at the time I hadn't learned to say no to companies because I was too scared to lose the gig 😅 Also stop being so good at KZbin, you're making the rest of us look bad 😂

[@LaurenPlitUK]

I really felt like at least one of the retouching gang would come on here and be like I relate to all of it haha! That's the thing, it's like you feel like you will get to the point where you can say no but then it's probably the most extremely scary thing you could ever do! I appreciate the watch, Chris. Good is a strong word haha, will get there. Keen for your next video!

[@chrisjwright_]

Yeah it's scary! But I'm glad I learned when to say no, I can't hack those late nights anymore 😅 And you're doing a fantastic job with the videos! I'm frantically trying to put mine together for Wednesday this week 🥲

[@emmabowman6798]

Another amazing video! 😄I used to love the idea of working at a magazine, it is a pity the work really isn't around anymore

[@LaurenPlitUK]

Really is a pity. Perhaps in 20 years or so they will come back. Like the vinyl craze or something. People might get a bit tired of everything being online and the AI robots controlling us 🥲🤣

[@maximbailey1777]

Great video 👏🏼👏🏼

[@LaurenPlitUK]

Thank you!! I tried to be as diplomatic as possible haha.