Interesting thread and examples, Kate. I tend to think of photoshopping mostly as airbrushing out tattoos and "improving" complexion. The idea of dropping a dress size or two by simply compressing horizontally had not occurred to me, and it could be done really easily on selfie-style pics as well.
I think I use pics only to give a rough idea of the style of the lady, and I always expect them to look more like "real people" when they open the door. Only one girl that I have visited looked like I imagined. Others have all been a little unexpected but never disappointing. I'm a sucker for a smile and a warm greeting, and they have all been easy tens on my pecker-meter.