I’m John Pils, a seasoned photo retoucher and digital artist with nearly two decades of experience, with a focus on beauty and fashion. In New York City, I worked with Box Studios, creating composites for Annie Leibovitz. I also held a long-term full-time position with Happy Finish in their Portland, OR studio, working on Nike sports and apparel projects, which gave me extensive experience in product and sports imagery in addition to beauty. Since 2006, I’ve run a successful retouching business alongside standout full-time roles with top creative companies. Working remotely since 2010, I’ve thrived in independent environments.…

John A Pils

PRO

I’m John Pils, a seasoned photo retoucher and digital artist with nearly two decades of experience, with a focus on beauty and fashion. In New York City, I worked with Box Studios, creating composites for Annie Leibovitz. I also held a long-term full-time position with Happy Finish in their Portland, OR studio, working on Nike sports and apparel projects, which gave me extensive experience in product and sports imagery in addition to beauty. Since 2006, I’ve run a successful retouching business alongside standout full-time roles with top creative companies. Working remotely since 2010, I’ve thrived in independent environments.…

Available to hire

I’m John Pils, a seasoned photo retoucher and digital artist with nearly two decades of experience, with a focus on beauty and fashion. In New York City, I worked with Box Studios, creating composites for Annie Leibovitz. I also held a long-term full-time position with Happy Finish in their Portland, OR studio, working on Nike sports and apparel projects, which gave me extensive experience in product and sports imagery in addition to beauty. Since 2006, I’ve run a successful retouching business alongside standout full-time roles with top creative companies. Working remotely since 2010, I’ve thrived in independent environments.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Photo Retoucher at OMNICOM PRODUCTIONS
July 2, 2025 - October 31, 2025
Senior Beauty and Product Retoucher
Senior Photo Retoucher at Atrium at Omniworks
October 31, 2026 - Present
Senior Beauty and Product Retoucher
Senior Photo Retoucher at Happy Finish
April 1, 2017 - June 22, 2022
Managed projects independently; Coordinated final deliverables to clients; Retouched images for billion-dollar companies; Trained freelance and junior retouchers to client standards; Created hi-res deliverables from key art; Worked closely with producers and project managers to craft solutions to complex problems
Freelance Retoucher at Self-Employed (Freelance)
December 31, 2006 - April 7, 2026
Managed projects independently; coordinated final deliverables to clients; retouched images for billion-dollar companies; trained freelance and junior retouchers to client standards; created hire-ready deliverables from key art; worked closely with producers and project managers to create solutions to complex problems.
Senior Retoucher at Nike / GBI
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2017
Managed calendars, scheduled appointments, and arranged meetings with department heads. Prepared and distributed images for eCommerce. Prepared deliverables from mechanics. Archiving of images.
Senior Retoucher at Box Studios
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2011
Worked with notable fashion and fine art photographers to deliver images to industry standards. Created final hire deliverables for billboards and magazines. Maintained color accuracy between art and print.
Retoucher at Nike / GBI
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2017
Managed calendars, scheduled appointments, and arranged meetings and conferences with department heads. Prepared images for eCommerce. Prepared deliverables from mechanicals. Archiving of images.
Artworker at Box Studios
December 30, 2007 - December 29, 2011
Worked with notable fashion and fine art photographers to get images to industry standards. Creation of final hi-res images from creative art for billboards and magazines. Maintained color accuracy between art and print.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts (Painting & Photography) at Columbia College Chicago
January 11, 2030 - April 7, 2026
Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on painting and photography at Columbia College of Chicago
January 1, 2006 - April 7, 2026

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts (Painting & Photography)
January 11, 2030 - April 7, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Retail, Other