Are you ready to outsource your editing?
Are you a photographer wondering if it’s time to outsource your editing?
Eventually this is a question that most photographers will have to deal with. Once you have spent the time to grow your business you will inevitably get busier and busier and with more work comes more hours behind the computer editing the photos so you can get them out the door.
A lot of photographers really struggle with this issue because they feel very tied to the editing and feel as if the editing is an extension of “their work” and because of that they feel like they aren’t able to let it go or have someone help with the editing process.
Other photographers are fine with outsourcing the editing but they aren’t sure if the time is right or if they are actually ready to let it go. Sometimes they feel as if they need to have a huge business or have been in business for many years before they are “allowed” to outsource their editing.
As a photographer turned private editor for other photographers I have a unique perspective on this issue! I don’t think EVERY photographer should outsource their editing, but I do think that a lot of photographers could benefit from outsourcing this job in their business. It’s not a super easy question to answer, so hopefully some of the insights below will help to make your decision easier!
Are you ready to outsource your editing?
Let’s dive in to some specifics around how you can determine if it’s time to begin outsourcing your editing as a photographer!
Consistent Shooting
Good editing starts with good shooting. Always. If you have gotten to the point where you feel like your shooting is super consistent every time you do a session, then outsourcing will be much easier for you.
If you still working to figure out your camera and which settings you would use in different lighting scenarios or if you are getting results from your shoots that you aren’t super happy with and want to improve, outsourcing your editing is going to be more of a struggle.
Getting it right in camera and not depending on “fixing it in editing later” should be the goal. Even if you’re not the one doing the editing, consistent shooting is imperative. Otherwise your editor will be frustrated and so will you!
Defined Style
Do you have a defined editing style that you are already consistently achieving? If so, it is definitely time to consider working with an editor.
If you are instead at the stage where you are buying #allthepresets and can’t quite figure out how to get the look you want, you probably aren’t totally ready to work with an editor.
An editor’s goal is to get you the look you want, not edit the photos the way they think they should look. If you don’t know what you want then an editor won’t know either.
Time
If you find that editing takes you forrreeeevvvver then it might be time to start working with a private editor.
I tell every single client this because I know it to be true, “editing your own work is wayyyyy harder than editing someone else’s”. You will bring a lot of emotion to your editing because everything that happened during the session is making its way into the editing process.
Didn’t get the shot you wanted? Location wasn’t ideal? Kids acting crazy and dad was pissed? Uncle Bob causing all sorts of issues at the wedding?
Everything that happens while you are shooting affects the editing process and slows you down. An editor can look at a catalog with fresh eyes and no emotion and work to get you a consistent look and feel.
If you feel like editing is really taking you too long, it’s time to outsource. That time can be spent on revenue generating activities instead!!
Business Growth
If you started your business with more of a hobby mindset and are looking to grow into a profitable and sustainable business instead, outsourcing is likely a good idea for you.
Spending hours behind the computer finishing galleries means you have less time to spend on marketing, networking, and growing your business. This is the key difference between working ON your business vs working IN your business. In order to grow, you have to have time to work ON your business so that it will grow.
Time spent editing takes away from that time. You can teach someone how to achieve the look you want to achieve through editing. This is not a job that HAS to be done by you.
But planning and growing and showing up for your business can’t be done by someone else quite the way it can if it is done by you.
So if you are ready to grow, you are ready to outsource!
Client Experience
Word of mouth referrals are always going to be your best referrals. Want to know the #1 way to increase your word of mouth referrals?
Client Experience.
If you provide a “I can’t help but talk about it” experience for your clients they will tell their friends.
Part of providing an exceptional experience is timely delivery on photos/galleries.
If you are consistently taking longer than 6 weeks to deliver a wedding gallery or longer than 3 weeks to deliver a general portrait session…you could greatly increase your client experience by working with an editor to get your galleries done much quicker so that you can get them delivered.
A lot of clients have no idea how long it takes to get photos back and often they think it takes longer than it actually does. Tell them 6 weeks and deliver in 3. Tell them 3 weeks and deliver in one. Underpromise and overdeliver.
Raised Prices
If you have raised your prices recently or are thinking of raising your prices it is probably time to start considering outsourcing your editing.
Not only does the higher price communicate a higher level of service, but the higher price will help cover the cost of the outsourcing. Thinking about your business as a business will help you figure out how to raise your prices according to how much it costs you to run your business, outsourcing included.
Editing overwhelm
If you feel confident editing, but the entire process causes you to feel overwhelmed and frustrated…it’s time to outsource.
Most photographers start a business because they love shooting, not because they love editing. But editing is a part of the game that you just can’t ignore. The photos need to be finished. But if the process of going through your photos and finishing them causes you overwhelm and stress, you should likely be turning this job over to someone else. You can absolutely teach someone how to get the finished look you want on your photos.
Booking More
If you are starting to book more (or are hitting your booking goals) you will likely have less and less time to spend behind the computer getting the photos finished.
There are times when outsourcing might not make sense because you are in a slow season for booking and the time you’d save doesn’t justify the cost, but as your business grows, you’ll likely need to spend more time working ON your business instead of IN your business and outsourcing becomes a no-brainer.
I hope you found these helpful and that you have more perspective now on if outsourcing your editing is right for you at this time in your business.
Any questions about any of the above? Just add a comment below! I’d love to chat about it.
Did this post convince you it’s time to start outsourcing?
My team would love to help you! Shoot me a message and we will see how we can help!