Raw photos often don’t fully capture the polished, professional look you need for advertising, branding, or sales. That’s where professional photo editing in Chicago comes in.
Running an e-commerce store on Michigan Avenue, managing a wedding photography business, or leading a local marketing agency, high-quality visuals are crucial to making a lasting impact.
Choosing the right partner is not just about who can remove blemishes or adjust lighting; it’s about who can bring out the best in you. It’s about consistency, an artistic eye, technical accuracy, and the ability to deliver on time.
There are six of the best editing and post-production houses mentioned here that serve Chicago clients, along with others. Whether you’re looking for high-end commercial retouching or large-scale catalogue editing, these companies can help elevate your images.
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List of The Top Photo Editing Houses in Chicago
Professional photo editing in Chicago ranges from simple background adjustments to advanced retouching and creative manipulation.
If you try to find the best one for you, there’s a high chance that waste a lot of your valuable time in the trial and error process.
So to save your time, you can see our listed ones first, and I can assure you, you will find the perfect one for your business.
1. The Colour Studio
Among editing services available to Chicago clients, The Colour Studio stands out for its versatility and professionalism. Known for blending technical precision with a strong creative approach, the agency provides everything from detailed product retouching and background replacement to advanced colour correction and creative enhancements.
What sets The Colour Studio apart is its ability to handle small custom projects and high-volume editing without compromising quality. This makes it an excellent partner for eCommerce businesses that need thousands of product photos cleaned and optimized, and for photographers seeking refined retouching for fashion or advertising shoots. Clients appreciate the agency’s fast turnaround and consistent style that aligns with brand aesthetics.
The Colour Studio is a trusted choice, combining competitive pricing with the quality usually reserved for high-end studios. It’s one of the rare agencies that can serve local Chicago clients while maintaining global standards of excellence.
2. Pixel Black
Just a short drive north in Milwaukee, Pixel Black provides professional editing and retouching services that cater to Chicago businesses. Their team specialises in product photography retouching, colour adjustments, background removal, and compositing. They are particularly well-suited for eCommerce brands, catalogue shoots, and advertising campaigns that demand consistency across large batches of images.
What makes Pixel Black appealing is their balance of affordability and quality. They’re not a massive outsourcing house, which means they can give projects more attention, yet they still scale efficiently for bulk editing. For Chicago-based retailers and photographers who want a reliable partner just outside city limits, Pixel Black offers a strong option without the logistical headaches of larger agencies.
3. Kelly Peloza Photo LLC
Operating right in Chicago, Kelly Peloza Photo LLC is known for offering highly personalised retouching services. Kelly Peloza brings years of experience in photography and image editing, translating into meticulous attention to detail. Her studio handles everything from skin retouching and background editing to colour balancing and creative manipulation.
This studio is ideal for fashion photographers, advertising agencies, and brands that want a more boutique editing experience. Because the business is locally based, Chicago clients can also enjoy the benefit of direct communication and collaboration. Unlike larger offshore providers, a Chicago-based retoucher like Kelly Peloza can offer faster, more personalised revisions.
4. Photo Editing Company
While not strictly headquartered in Chicago, Photo Editing Company caters extensively to businesses across the state, including those in the city. They provide a full range of editing solutions, from basic adjustments to advanced retouching, and offer competitive rates for bulk projects.
This service particularly appeals to photographers or e-commerce stores requiring ongoing scale editing. Because they specialise in working with large volumes of images, turnaround times are efficient, and costs remain manageable. For Chicago businesses that prioritise affordability and speed without sacrificing quality, Photo Editing Company is a dependable option.
5. Imageworks Chicago
Imageworks Chicago is a strong contender if your editing needs extend beyond still photography into video production and motion content. This creative studio offers editing, retouching, colour grading, motion graphics, and animation. Their expertise makes them a go-to for agencies producing multimedia campaigns that combine stills and video.
Located in the heart of Chicago, Imageworks has built a reputation for delivering high-end creative work that meets the demands of advertising and corporate clients. Their team doesn’t just edit photos—they help brands tell stories visually, making them especially valuable for businesses that need a complete post-production partner.
6. Nice Shoes
Nice Shoes is a well-known name in the world of post-production. While their services cover animation, design, and visual effects, they are equally adept at high-quality photo and video editing.
They are often chosen for large advertising campaigns, commercial shoots, and media projects requiring a polished, cinematic finish. Their colour grading and retouching expertise ensure that every image matches the desired creative vision. For brands with bigger budgets and ambitions, Nice Shoes provides world-class editing in the city.
7. Freelance Retouchers in Chicago
While established agencies dominate the market, many Chicago-based freelance retouchers offer outstanding editing services. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and local photography networks are filled with talented professionals specialising in retouching, compositing, and creative editing.
Hiring a freelancer can be cost-effective and flexible, especially for one-off projects or minor edits. The key advantage here is agility—freelancers can often deliver faster and may provide a more personalised experience. However, for businesses that require consistent style across thousands of images, a professional agency such as The Colour Studio may be more reliable.
Choosing the Right Photo Editing Partner in Chicago
With so many options available, the choice often comes down to your needs and budget. If you’re a fashion brand or photographer looking for detailed retouching, boutique studios like Kelly Peloza Photo offer a personal touch. The Colour Studio can deliver consistency and scale for businesses with bulk editing needs. Meanwhile, firms like Imageworks and Nice Shoes are best suited for advertising campaigns and multimedia projects.
The demand for photo editing in Chicago continues to grow, driven by e-commerce, social media, and the city’s thriving creative industries. Whether polishing a product catalogue or preparing a high-end commercial shoot, the right editing partner can transform your visuals and strengthen your brand.
You can evaluate based on the following criteria before choosing your post-production/photo editing house for editing your photos in Chicago.
| Criterion | Why It Matters |
| Editing Quality / Technical Skill | Colour accuracy, clarity, natural retouching, and no unwanted artefacts. High skill is non-negotiable. |
| Specialization | Some houses are great with product photos, others with portraits, creative manipulation, or video. Matching their speciality to your need saves time & money. |
| Turnaround / Capacity | If you have tight deadlines or many images, make sure they can scale. Local houses are often easier to review in faster cycles. |
| Consistency | Especially in branding: you want your visual style to feel coherent across all imagery (product, social, ads). |
| Cost & Pricing Model | Per-image vs package or bulk pricing, whether revisions are included, and whether proofs are provided. |
| Communication / Feedback Process | How easy is sharing feedback, requesting changes, and seeing proofs? Comfortable workflow matters. |
| Delivery & Format Expertise | Different platforms have different requirements (eCommerce pixel specs, web vs print, video vs stills). Ensure the studio understands that. |
1. How much does professional photo editing cost in Chicago?
Costs vary depending on complexity and volume. Basic edits may start as low as $5–$10 per image, while high-end retouching for advertising can cost $50–$200 per image. Agencies like The Colour Studio and Pixel Black offer bulk pricing for eCommerce projects.
2. What types of photo editing are most in demand in Chicago?
Product photo retouching, background removal, colour correction, fashion and beauty retouching, and advertising post-production are the most sought-after services in Chicago’s creative and business industries.
3. Why choose a local Chicago editing service instead of outsourcing overseas?
Local agencies and retouchers provide faster communication, style consistency, and the ability to collaborate directly. This ensures edits align closely with brand aesthetics and project goals, which can sometimes be harder to manage with offshore services.
4. Can Chicago editing services handle bulk projects for e-commerce?
Yes. Agencies like The Colour Studio and Illinois Photo Editing Services specialise in large-scale editing for catalogues and online stores, ensuring thousands of product images are consistent, sharp, and ready for listing.
Final Thoughts
Chicago is a city of innovation, creativity, and style; its editing houses reflect that spirit. The town offers solutions for every project, from boutique studios to large-scale agencies.
Among them, The Colour Studio shines as one of the best choices for businesses that want top-tier editing with reliable turnaround and personalised service.
You don’t need to go for the words, go for free trial, and when you see the quality, you will know who to choose.
