Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Vitalii Hutsuliak

We recently had the chance to connect with Vitalii Hutsuliak and have shared our conversation below.

Vitalii, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Yes, I would.
Because I approach every project with genuine attention and responsibility. My priority is to fully understand the task, the client’s vision, and the desired final result before I even start working. I don’t treat projects as a routine – each new client is a new story, a new goal, and a new standard I aim to meet or exceed.

I value clear communication, consistency, and respect for the client’s expectations. This mindset allows me to deliver results that feel intentional, thoughtful, and aligned with the original idea – not just technically correct, but emotionally right as well.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a professional photo retoucher with a strong background in photography, which directly influences how I work today. Having spent many years behind the camera, I understand images not just as files, but as stories that require careful and respectful treatment.

I specialize in wedding, portrait, lifestyle, and e-commerce visual projects, focusing on clean, natural-looking retouching. My goal is not to change photographs, but to refine them – enhancing the original vision and emotional balance while preserving authenticity.

What makes my approach distinctive is the combination of technical precision and human sensitivity. I take time to understand each client’s vision, aesthetic, and goals, approaching every project with the same level of focus and responsibility.

My brand is built around trust, consistency, and long-term collaboration. I currently work with clients who value quality, thoughtful communication, and a refined visual language – creating images that feel polished, honest, and emotionally grounded.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world started setting expectations, I was simply someone who worked early and tried different paths. I began working at eighteen, and during my student years I took on various seasonal jobs during holidays. Those experiences taught me discipline, adaptability, and how to take responsibility for my choices.

Later, my career became more structured. My longest professional experience was working as a wedding photographer for over ten years, which shaped my eye for detail and understanding of human emotions. Before fully moving into retouching, I also spent five years working as a lawyer at a large distribution company in Ukraine, where I learned precision, accountability, and how to function within a demanding system.

Looking back, before any fixed labels or expectations, I was someone who learned by doing – gaining experience, understanding my strengths, and gradually realizing what kind of work felt right for me.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: trust the process and give yourself time to grow. Every project I took on, from photography to retouching, taught me something valuable, even when it didn’t feel obvious at the time.

I would remind myself that it’s okay not to have everything figured out immediately. Each experience builds the skills, perspective, and patience needed for the next step. Curiosity, attention to detail, and focus on learning matter far more than rushing to “have it all” right away.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends, they would probably say that what matters most to me is quality, integrity, and attention to people. In my work as a retoucher, this shows up in the way I approach every project – taking the time to understand the client’s vision, respecting the story behind each image, and delivering results that feel intentional and thoughtful.

Beyond work, it extends to relationships as well. I care about trust, reliability, and creating meaningful connections. Whether it’s collaborating with a client or spending time with friends, I try to be present and attentive, because I believe that attention and care are what make any interaction – professional or personal – truly valuable.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. I’ve learned that true craftsmanship is about care, focus, and consistency in every project. In retouching, many details are subtle and often unnoticed, but that doesn’t make them any less important.

I approach every project thoughtfully, making deliberate choices to ensure the image reflects the client’s vision and is technically sound. This mindset helps me maintain trust and build steady, long-term relationships with clients who value precision and dedication.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://greatvisionretouch.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatvisionretouch/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitaliihutsuliak/