What ghost mannequin is
Ghost mannequin, also called invisible mannequin, is a way to show a garment as if it were worn, with no mannequin or model visible. You photograph the garment on a mannequin, photograph the inside of the neck and collar separately, and then combine the images so the garment keeps its shape and the inside shows naturally.
Online stores like it because it looks clean and consistent across a catalog, and it costs less than shooting every item on a model.
The three options compared
Each option fits a different situation. There are no universal prices, so the table compares what changes, not a number.
| DIY editing | Retouching service | On-model shoot | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your time | High, especially while you learn | Low: you send the shots | High: casting, shoot day, styling |
| Cost | Your own hours, plus software | A per-image fee, quoted by the studio | Model, photographer, studio and styling for every shoot |
| Consistency across a catalog | Depends on your skill and patience | Same standard on every image | Varies with model, light and day |
| Shows fit and movement | No | No | Yes |
| Best for | Small catalogs, or if you enjoy the work | Growing catalogs and tight deadlines | Campaigns and hero images where fit and mood matter |
When DIY makes sense
If you have a small catalog and the time, doing it yourself can work. The tricky parts are symmetry, a believable neck opening, natural inner shadows and a clean edge. These take practice, and mistakes show at zoom.
Do a few items first and compare them side by side. If the results look uneven, that is the moment to hand it over.
When a service makes sense
A service makes sense when volume grows, when deadlines matter or when the garment is hard: lace, sheer fabric, structured jackets, tricky collars. A retoucher who does this every day will also keep the same shadows, margins and color across hundreds of items.
At LightHouse Retouch we combine your front and inside-neck shots into one clean image, with natural shape and soft shadows. We quote ghost mannequin work within 12 hours after we see your files.
And when on-model is better
Ghost mannequin shows shape, not fit. If customers need to see how a garment moves, drapes or fits a real body, or if the image is a hero for a campaign, shoot it on a model. Many stores use both: ghost mannequin for the catalog grid and on-model photos for key products.
What to get right when you order
Shoot the garment steamed and neat. Keep the camera, light and distance identical between the front and the inside shot. Keep the neck position the same. Send a clear naming system so every garment has its matching shots.
Tell the retoucher what you need: background color, margins, file size, whether the brand label should be visible and where the images will be used.
Ready for Uncompromising Editorial Quality?
Hand retouching with real skin texture and revisions included. Starting at $40 or $50 per photo, with commercial and jewelry projects quoted within 12 hours.
