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What does a freelance photo editor do?

Photo editors are a valuable asset to any organization that uses imagery to tell stories. Entities such as newspapers, magazines, and websites use a photo editor’s services to find just the right image to communicate their message. Photo editors are responsible for reviewing, editing, manipulating, formatting, and positioning photos for online and offline publishing opportunities.

As a freelance photo editor, you’ll oversee the use of photos that not only convey a particular message but also adhere to the brand standards of whatever medium you work for. It’s not uncommon for talented photo editors to review hundreds of photographs in order to select the right one or two for a particular article, story, or project.

Finally, photo editors may be tasked with overseeing photoshoots, using photographers, studios, products, and models to capture just the right image for an upcoming story or promotional opportunity. You might use digital technology to edit the photos resulting from the shoot, or you might edit and enhance photos provided by a third-party photography or stock photography site.

What skills do I need to become a freelance photo editor?

Freelance photo editors need certain essential skills to be successful and competitive. While an education in art or photography could be very helpful, the desirable skills of seasoned photo editors usually result from years of experience reviewing and selecting imagery as a freelance resource or an in-house employee.

Freelance photo editors benefit from many specific skills:

• Ability to recognize certain elements in imagery. A freelance photo editor should be able to recognize elements within photographs and other imagery that help tell a compelling story or convey a certain message. Successful photo editors are adept at seeing nuances within images that others may not readily recognize. With this skill, they help magazines, book publishers, and website developers deliver more compelling and powerful creations.
• Ability to review dozens of photographs a day. As a freelance photo editor, you’ll be tasked with reviewing dozens or hundreds of photographs each day from a variety of photographers. Ultimately, the job of a photo editor is to select from a large variety of images in order to find the right one to convey a particular story or message. Having great time management skills and being able to quickly work through large amounts of material can help with this responsibility
• Photo editing software talents. Photo editors often use tools such as Adobe, Lightroom, InDesign, or Photoshop to edit and manipulate photographs and other imagery in order to touch up and correct them for publication.
• Knowledge of the photographer commission process. Seasoned freelance photo editors are often tasked with hiring and deploying professional photographers for studio and on-site photo shoots. Because the photo editor knows exactly what’s needed for the project, they’re able to collaborate with photographers to get the best photos for the job.
• Collaboration skills. Photo editors often work closely with magazine publishers, marketers, social media teams, advertising agencies, video editors, illustrators, copy editors, and communications specialists to deliver imagery for specific projects. The ability to collaborate with other key players and the possession of excellent communication skills are key capabilities of any photo editor.

What are the core freelance photo editor job responsibilities?

While freelance photo editors may be asked to handle many responsibilities as part of their job, there are key photo editor responsibilities common with most jobs:

• Review, edit, and select photographs and other imagery designed to capture readers’ attention
• Work with magazine editors to create compelling visual communications
• Work closely with other team members in a cross-functional capacity, including marketing, communications, and web development teams
• Write, edit and review captions for all photos being used for publication online and offline
• Pitch creative ideas to editors and photographers
• Edit, color correct, manipulate and refine all photos and imagery prior to publication
• Oversee photo editing staff and provide editorial leadership within the department
• Work closely with the rights and clearances team to ensure all third-party imagery is licensed

Should I get a photo editing degree or certification?

Education can be extremely helpful for photo editors looking to embark on a freelance career. While there are many freelance photo editors who don’t have four-year degrees, they often have some form of formal education and several years of experience.

Freelance photo editors can benefit from several types of education or certifications to help position themselves more prominently on Upwork:

• Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from an accredited university in photography, digital media, graphic design, journalism, or visual arts
• Adobe Certified Expert
• Online courses such as The Photo Editor’s Guide