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Check out a sample of the 2,727 Photo Editor jobs posted on Upwork

Product Photgrapher Image Editing Hourly ‐ Posted 1 day ago

Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed

1 to 3 months
Duration

Expert
Experience level

My client is looking for an experinced product photographer. We are an Manfacturer of gloves, regarding this job AirSoft Gloves. They…

Photo Editor Photography Photo Manipulation Photo Retouching Adobe Photoshop Photo Editing Jobs Product Photography PSD PNG JPG
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30+ hrs/week
Hours needed

More than 6 months
Duration

Intermediate
Experience level

We are looking for someone to take control over the marketing campaigns, synchronise content brand development, enhance the digital pro…

Photo Editor Canva Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Photo Editing Jobs Amazon Seller Central Shopify Amazon Webstore Content Marketing
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Female Model for Lingerie/Sleepwear Shoot
New
Hourly ‐ Posted 22 hours ago

Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed

Less than 1 month
Duration

Entry
Experience level

🌟 Exciting Collaboration Alert! 🌟 Honeybirdette is teaming up with some incredible talent for a sizzling new project, and we're on t…

Photo Editor Modeling Photo Editing Jobs Made-to-Measure Fashion Photography Female Photography People Fashion Modeling Fashion & Beauty
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Clothing Photoshop Recoloring
New
Hourly ‐ Posted 18 hours ago

Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed

Less than 1 month
Duration

Intermediate
Experience level

Hello, I have 4-5 shirt photos whose colors need to be photoshopped into 11 other colors. 2 of the shirts have patterns which have to b…

Photo Editor Product Photography Photo Manipulation Photo Editing Jobs Adobe Photoshop PSD
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Ongoing Work Youtube Video, Shorts, Reels, Thumbnails
New
Fixed-price ‐ Posted 17 hours ago

$250
Fixed-price

Intermediate
Experience level

This task will be a trial task to establish a relationship for long term projects. This is a PAID TRIAL TASK. Please submit a price t…

Photo Editor Photo Editing Jobs Audio Editing Explainer Video
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$50
Fixed-price

Expert
Experience level

This is a LONG-TERM position with GREAT benefits such as bonuses and raises based on quality work and performance! Below are links to…

Photo Editor Photo Editing Jobs Adobe Photoshop
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Create a logo edit for me!
New
Fixed-price ‐ Posted 22 hours ago

$25
Fixed-price

Intermediate
Experience level

Hello! I am looking for a skilled graphic designer to make me a logo. The logo is for a hockey jersey. I want to combine elements of th…

Photo Editor Brand Identity & Guidelines Photo Editing Jobs Adobe InDesign Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Logo Design
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Furniture photoshoot
New
Hourly ‐ Posted 21 hours ago

Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed

Less than 1 month
Duration

Intermediate
Experience level

Hello all, We are a furniture company and we are looking to update our product photos. We need a photoshoot of 8 products. We need 6…

Photo Editor Photography Photo Editing Jobs Product Photography
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Renders to showcase a software product
New
Fixed-price ‐ Posted 18 hours ago

$100
Fixed-price

Intermediate
Experience level

Provide 2x photo realistic renders of a kiosk with a software solution showcasing how the solution works. 1st render: a kiosk (tv dis…

Photo Editor Photo Editing Jobs 3D Modeling Photorealistic Rendering Adobe Photoshop 3D Product Rendering 3D Rendering
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Transfer PDF into google Jamboard Background
New
Fixed-price ‐ Posted 17 hours ago

$25
Fixed-price

Entry
Experience level

Create a google jamboard background out of a pdf. We will send you a matrix with explanations which we want to have as a background in…

Photo Editor Adobe Illustrator Photo Editing Jobs Google Docs Adobe Photoshop
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Photo Editors on Upwork
can earn $10–$25/hr.
Learn more below about how you can earn a career on the world’s work marketplace.
Photo Editor average prices bell curve

$10 $25

Median hourly rates (USD)

How to Become a Freelance Photo Editor

Magazines, newspapers and many websites incorporate imagery to help tell their stories. The responsibility of overseeing the review and selection of photos used for these mediums falls to a photo editor. If you love photography, have a creative spirit, and have an eye for marrying the right imagery to any story, you might have what it takes to be a freelance photo editor on Upwork.

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

Jumpstart your freelance photo editing career on Upwork and start looking for your first job. Eager to learn more about freelance photo editor jobs on Upwork? Check out these additional resources:

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this section. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyse and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.

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